The Environment Agency has previously conducted a test measuring the size of wood chip particles in the air, which came back well within the UK limit.

BBC: Wood dust protesters march from Mossley to Plevin plant

It would be nice to test this directly by measuring the magnetic field of a pulsar.

ECONOMIST: Pulsars

The more traditional method of measuring hearing loss, the distraction test, requires a baby to sit upright on the mother's lap, responding to sound without seeing the source, and therefore cannot be done before 8 months.

BBC: Babies' hearing problems undiagnosed

Vaccines are notoriously difficult to test: Instead of simply measuring signs of healing, a negative must be proven--that someone won't get a disease.

FORBES: Cornering A Killer

New Haven city officials, after a number of days of hearings, decided they wouldn't certify the test but would instead attempt to develop a test of equal value in measuring a candidate's qualifications without having a disparate impact, she said.

CNN: Firefighter criticizes Sotomayor ruling

By measuring the carbon compounds spewed out during the test, automakers can figure out how much fuel was spent and, subsequently, the vehicle's fuel economy.

FORBES: Fuel Economy Sticker Shock

Liponis says that Canyon Ranch is also working with Biophysical on developing other, more specialized tests, such as an antiaging exam, measuring different biomarkers from those found on the 250 test.

FORBES: An Uneasy Mark

The agency has begun a second test, which will be completed in January 2012, measuring the volume of smaller particles, which could go deeper into the lungs and cause more extensive damage if breathed in.

BBC: Wood dust protesters march from Mossley to Plevin plant

In terms of teachers, how we measure performance -- as I said before, I have been a critic of measuring performance just by the administering of a single high-stakes standardized test during the year, and then the teacher is judged.

WHITEHOUSE: Online Town Hall