Slow News Day - NYT

It's obviously a slow news day for the New York Times when these are there top headlines, but I did find them interesting.

"Scientists Bypass Need for Embryo to Get Stem Cells" (Gina Kolata. 21 Nov 2007.)
I've read several articles that pointed out that adult stem cells have had just as much or more success than embryonic stem cells in research. Now they believe they've figured out how to make cells that act like embryonic stem cells out of human skin cells. Unfortunately, there was a 20% risk of cancer in the similar studies that used the cells to clone mice. I can just see the problems when the doctor says, "Well, we can repair your liver damage with these embryonic-like stem cells. There won't be any risk of rejection because we'll use your own skin cells. There is a 20% chance you'll get cancer as a result of the procedure." More study is definitely needed!!

"Travelers’ Odds Decline on Airline Baggage" (Jeff Bailey. 21 Nov 2007.)
I'm glad to hear the airlines are trying to reduce the number of mishandled bags, but it would be better to hear that they were actually successful! The end of the story is the airlines saying that RFID tags would be too expensive to implement for the level of lost luggage currently experienced. I'd be interested to know at what level they think it would be cost-effective.
The moral: Take enough in your carry-on bag to last you for at least a day or so.
The head scratching paragraph was of the parents traveling with 7-yr-old triplets. They only lost one of four bags--it had "one son's clothes." So they'll have to get replacements from the mall? Are the other two of the triplets girls that only packed girly-clothes??