Wood ovens go high-tech

Spectrum | 01.12.2009 | 17:30

Wood ovens go high-tech

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Scrap wood is dried and pressed into pellets to make a better fuel

Wood can be a sustainable, eco-friendly way to heat your home. But it can also be horrible for your health.

In many parts of the world, heating with wood is not out of the ordinary. But in industrialized, Western countries, relying on wood for heat has been seen as old-fashioned for a very long time.

But that sentiment has been changing in recent years. Increased oil and gas prices have brought wood back into vogue - and back into fireplaces.

Ideally, burning wood for heat would also be more environmentally friendly than using oil or gas, since wood releases only as much carbon dioxide as it takes in. However, wood burning may release environmentally toxic methane gas, which is 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

There's a second problem with wood, albeit a microscopic one. Burning wood releases an ultra-fine dust that can give people cancer or lead to lung disease. But the answer to that problem could be as simple as a modernized fireplace.

Report: Richard Fox

Swine flu vaccine remains controversial

Spectrum | 01.12.2009 | 17:30

Swine flu vaccine remains controversial

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: The H1N1 vaccine still the best shot, experts say

According to the World Health Organization, countries from around the globe have confirmed 7,800 fatalities due to the H1N1 flu. But even the virus' vaccine is plagued with controversy.

In Germany the Robert Koch Institute is reporting that the number of new cases of H1N1 is on the decline. Though across the border in France, the government has called out the army's health services to help with vaccinations.

Roughly 65 million people worldwide have now been vaccinated against swine flu, but it seems that controversy over the new vaccine is also spreading like a disease, with reports of dangerous side effects, a medical community at odds with itself, and officials trying to cope with confused and concerned citizens.

Report: Laura Schweiger