New proposals on novel foods - Food Standard Agency, UK
The European Commission is proposing to update the approvals process for novel foods, and clarify the definition of novel foods, including the latest developments in the area such as cloning and nanotechnology. The Agency has issued a consultation on the proposals.

Panel discusses possible harms of nanomaterials - The Daily Bruin, USA
At a nanotechnology summit held at UCLA on Friday a panel of scientists, lawyers and other professionals expressed concerns that exposure to various nanomaterials could be harmful, though they disagreed over whether or not the government should immediately step in to regulate products containing such microscopic particles.

UW-Madison nano research mixes with art, coffee - University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
In May, 14 striking, larger-than-life photographic prints that are both comfortingly organic and starkly abstract will enable patrons of Mother Fool's Coffeehouse in Madison to visualize a scientific world that's rarely seen outside the laboratory.
"Sights Unseen: Images of the Nanoscale" is an art exhibit featuring research images captured by faculty, staff and students in UW-Madison's National Science Foundation-funded Materials Research Science and Engineering Center on Nanostructured Interfaces and the NSF-funded Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center. The exhibit runs throughout May, with an opening reception from 7-9 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, at the coffeehouse, 1101 Williamson St.

Too much technology may be killing beneficial bacteria - NanoWerk, USA
Silver nanoparticles also may destroy benign bacteria that are used to remove ammonia from wastewater treatment systems.Several products containing silver nanoparticles already are on the market, including socks containing silver nanoparticles designed to inhibit odor-causing bacteria and high-tech, energy-efficient washing machines that disinfect clothes by generating the tiny particles. The positive effects of that technology may be overshadowed by the potential negative environmental impact.
Because of the increasing use of silver nanoparticles in consumer products, the risk that this material will be released into sewage lines, wastewater treatment facilities, and, eventually, to rivers, streams and lakes is of concern. The silver nanoparticles destroy the benign species of bacteria that are used for wastewater treatment.