Sewage power

Scientists at the Pennsylvania State University have developed a fuel cell that can turn raw sew-age into electrical power. In an article published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, they write that the microbial fuel cells not only treat waste water (from animal farms, food processing plants and even manned space missions), but also provide a cheap source of clean energy. The cells capture electrons ? naturally released by bacteria as they digest organic matter ? and then convert them into electrical current. While power output received from the cells is still relatively low, the scientists say the technology is improving rapidly.

Mummy returns

Egypt plans to produce a three-dimensional x-ray, through a CAT scan, of the mummy of Tutankhamen to find out what killed the king who ruled Egypt more than 3,000 years ago and died while only a teenager. Archaeologists will move Tutankhamen?s body from its tomb, which was discovered packed with treasure in 1922, to Cairo for tests which should resolve the mystery over whether he died naturally or was murdered.