‘Lifeless’ prions capable of evolutionary change and adaptation (Science Daily) Scientists have determined for the first time that prions, bits of infectious protein devoid of DNA or RNA that can cause fatal neurodegenerative disease, are capable of Darwinian evolution. [News Source]

‘Lifeless’ prions able to evolve (UPI) JUPITER, Fla., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Mutant prions linked to mad cow, among other diseases, can evolve and become drug resistant, scientists in Florida have learned. [News Source]

Ma to hold banquet for party legislators (Taipei Times) Presidential Office Spokesman Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦) yesterday confirmed that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) would host a banquet with party legislators on Tuesday, but denied that the banquet was scheduled following the legislature’s consensus over a ban on the import of US beef. [News Source]

Everybody is a loser in the ‘beef war.’ Lawmakers are getting ready to vote on and pass an amendment to the Food Sanitation Act next Tuesday to ban ground beef and bovine offal imports from the United States. [News Source]

Taiwan to restore partial ban on US beef (Jefferson City News Tribune) TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Taiwan's two main political parties agreed Tuesday to reinstate a ban on some kinds of U.S. beef imports amid growing public concern that the government lacks adequate safeguards against mad cow disease. [News Source]