Both institutions are dwarfed by American universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology which has shares in more than 4,000 companies. The rise in the number of jobs requiring brains not brawn may be behind a rise in IQ levels in many Western countries. Research suggests that small changes in the environment experienced by a group of people, such as changes in the type of jobs people do, can bring about much bigger changes in society at large. Psychologists have long puzzled that IQ levels have risen over several generations in 20 nations. During the recent outbreaks of mad cow and foot and mouth disease, that have spread international fear and harmed farming in Europe, demand for alternative meat has risen sharply.
Crocodile is one of the new tastes vying for international palates.
Global demand for crocodile meat, which had averaged about 20 tons a month, has now doubled. In Germany and Netherlands, consumers prefer the meat for steaks while China and Hong Kong are keener on entrails, feet and blood for dishes such as crocodile satay, deep-fried crocodile with sour sauce, fried crocodile Chinese style and crocodile soup. FISH Americans could soon be eating sushi made from Arctic char reared in water pumped from closed Appalachian coal mines. The water that caused such headaches when the mines were operational, requiring continuous pumping to keep it out of miners' way, is perfect for raising coldwater fish. The mines act as natural cisterns, as clean mountain water continually seeps in.