Out of fry pan and into the tank with canola? Some N.C. State University researchers hope canola can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and become an alternative energy crop grown in North Carolina. [News Source]

Diesel gets another chance, Auto makers, led by Europeans but with Japanese and U.S.-based producers right behind, see an opening created by cleaner diesel technology and cleaner fuels. [News Source]

Europe wide study to examine causes of asthma. Imperial College London and Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich are to take the lead in a study to examine how genetics and environment influence the development of asthma in Europe. [News Source]

High-traffic areas tied to children’s asthma risk. Children who live near busy roads are more likely to have symptoms of asthma than those who do not, a study of more than 5,000 children in Southern California has found. [News Source]

Pointing lasers in new direction. Scientists are developing lasers specialized to detect smog, contaminants and chemical weapons in the air. [News Source]

City green team sets air-quality objectives (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette) Mayor Graham Richard on Monday challenged his newly formed Green Ribbon Commission to develop a plan to make the community a leader in reducing energy costs and air pollution. [News Source]

Four Mid-Atlantic Power Plants Agree to Air Pollution Cuts (Environmental News Network) Mirant Corp. will spend more than $130 million on new pollution controls at four power plants in Maryland and Virginia under an agreement reached Monday between the company and state and federal governments. [News Source]

By LANA MICHELIN Advocate staff (Red Deer Advocate) The effects of air pollution on human health will be monitored for the first time in Central Alberta early next year. The data collected will help fill a vital link, said Greg Ritz, a regional public health inspector who also sits on the Parkland Airshed Management Zone (PAMZ) board. [News Source]