Otto the Octopus has been a known troublemaker in his home at the Sea Star Aquarium in Coburg, Germany, for some time. But when the lights began shorting out, the staff decided to investigate.

When the lights and electricity began to mysteriously go out, endangering life in the aquarium, the staff began to take turns sleeping on the aquarium floor to find out the cause.

It turns out that cause was Otto, who at 2 feet 7 inches, found he was big enough to climb onto the rim of his tank and turn out the bright light above him by spraying water at the offending bulb.

A spokesman said: "It was a serious matter because it shorted the electricity supply to the whole aquarium that threatened the lives of the other animals when water pumps ceased to work.

"We knew that he was bored as the aquarium is closed for winter, and at two feet, seven inches Otto had discovered he was big enough to swing onto the edge of his tank and shoot out the 2000 Watt spot light above him with a carefully directed jet of water."

Otto has put his multi-handedness to use before, juggling the hermit crabs that he co-habitats with and throwing rocks at the glass.

To prevent Otto from inadvertently harming his fellow aquarium dwellers, the light in question has been placed out of his range.

Director Elfriede Kummer who witnessed the act said: "We've put the light a bit higher now so he shouldn't be able to reach it. But Otto is constantly craving for attention and always comes up with new stunts so we have realised we will have to keep more careful eye on him - and also perhaps give him a few more toys to play with.

"Once we saw him juggling the hermit crabs in his tank, another time he threw stones against the glass damaging it. And from time to time he completely re-arranges his tank to make it suit his own taste better - much to the distress of his fellow tank inhabitants."

French scientists have enlisted the same technology used in airplanes and satellites to build a better artificial heart than those currently available. So far, the heart has only been tested on animals, but scientists hope that it can one day be used in place of human heart transplants.

The heart maker is a subsidiary of the parent company of Airbus, the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., or EADS. The heart functions in a similar manner to airplanes, able to anticipate the need of it’s patient and adjust to react accordingly. Although scientists in other countries, including South Korea and the United States have been working on artificial hearts, the French company’s version is the first one able to adjust to different conditions. America-based company Abiomed already has an artificial heart on the market, which has been FDA approved.

"It's the same principle in the airplane as in the body," said Patrick Coulombier, chief operating officer of Carmat, the manufacturer. He explains that the same technology that measures altitude and pressure detect the heart's pumping speed and the pressure on its walls.

The Abiomed heart sells for up to $250,000 and has extended the lives of heart patients up to 5 months. The French heart is expected to sell for $192,140.

It is the first heart with two valves, like a natural heart and the first that adjusts its pumping speed. Previous artificial hearts have been temporary measures designed for temporary use before a transplant.

With the new version, there are hopes that it can be used longer-term. The heart is made natural materials including polymer and pig tissue, which have already been used in heart valves implanted into people and have not had rejection problems.

"Virtually all devices that have been implanted in humans, no matter how well designed, have been associated with unforeseen complications," said Dr. Tim Gardner, president of the American Heart Association.

Holidays can be amongst the most wasteful days of the year. With Halloween coming up at the end of the month, here are some tips to ensure that you celebrate a Green Halloween, from candy to costume.

When it comes to candy, China’s tainted milk problem has become a global affair, with tainted milk products being found in Asian candy sold in Britain and the US as well as Australia, choosing organic sweets are best.

Look for candy that is labeled organic or natural and fair-trade. Products with these labels undergo a great deal of supervision during production and are thus less likely to be contaminated.

For trick or treating sized confections, check out Endangered Species Chocolate and Equal Exchange Chocolate Minis, which are organic and use ethically traded ingredients.

For the rest of the year and especially the end of the year holiday season, also be sure to buy organic and fair-trade treats for yourself and others.

When it comes to the all-important Halloween costume, don’t rush out to buy the cheap, mass-produced at your local drugstore. Instead of being a naughty nurse, or sending your kid out as the latest superhero, get creative and you might be surprised at the environmentally-friendly choices you can make.

Go to a thrift store. They can be chock full of old Halloween costumes just right for recycling. Power Ranger anyone?

Search the web for ideas on how to make your own costume, especially if you are handy with a needle and thread. Use stuff from around the house to create your own capes, swords, crowns and other miscellaneous needed to make your costume come to life.

If you have a new, unused Halloween costume, donate it. Until October 26, participating Starwood hotels are ensuring that all children get a treat this year. Click here to find participating hotels that are collecting Halloween costumes for local kids in need.

Make this year’s Halloween Green, whether you are tricking or treating.

A few weeks ago, tainted milk was found in China and had spread across the nation to cause illness and even death in thousands of infants who had consumed the milk in infant formula. Since then, the contaminated milk has been found in cases of illness around the world, spread through products that used the milk in their formulas, including the popular Chinese candy, White Rabbit.

Last week White Rabbit Creamy Candy was pulled from shelves in California after it tested positive for melamine. Now, stores in Connecticut are pulling the candy from shelves as it has also been found to be positive. Consumers that have already bought the product are being told to destroy it.

The Chinese government identified 15 more Chinese dairy companies as producing milk products contaminated with melamine, bringing the total to 20 companies. Melamine is used to make plastics and fertilizers. The milk companies are suspected of using the chemical to dilute their milk and falsely test positive for high protein content. 27 people have been arrested in connection with the tainting.

Melamine can cause kidney stones, leading to kidney failure and it is currently held responsible for the deaths of 4 infants, kidney ailments among 54,000 others and the hospitalization of 13,000 children.

The FDA has issued warnings against the consumption of White Rabbit Candy and Mr. Brown coffee products because of possible melamine contamination.