Tests

Because nearly half of all students who start doctoral programs don't finish, educators have long wondered how best to judge applicants to graduate schools and reduce that attrition rate. Is there a way to evaluate a student's drive, persistence, honesty and creativity? What is needed beyond college grades, test scores and traditional recommendation letters? The Educational Testing Service says it has just the thing.

In what might embarrass less adventurous souls, astronaut Koichi Wakata is returning to Earth with the pairs of underwear he wore for a solid month during his space station stay so that scientists can check them out. They are experimental high-tech undies, designed in Japan to be odor free. The Japanese astronaut described his underwear test Thursday as shuttle Endeavour and its crew aimed for touchdown this morning.

With so many games left until June, and so many twists and turns inevitably awaiting the Lakers, it's too early to call the next two days a test. More like a pop quiz. The Lakers play host to the rejuvenated Phoenix Suns Thursday before playing at Denver on Friday, a back-to-back that will definitely challenge their 6-1 record. "If we get these games, then we'll be at the top of the West for sure," center Andrew Bynum said. "That's a great early-season test." Test or otherwise, Bynum will be back Thursday after missing two games because of a strained right elbow and sore right triceps.

Grasshoppers? Grasshoppers?? Eric Greenspan, the chef-owner of the Foundry on Melrose, has cooked a lot of unusual fare in his day, but there he was, looking down at a platter piled high with this Asian delicacy. With the clock ticking, he needed to figure out not one, but two dishes in which to feature the crunchy little critters. What better way to judge whether Greenspan has what it takes to become "The Next Iron Chef"? Season 2 of the popular Food Network competition kicks off Sunday night and takes place in L.A., making the most of the city's international culinary reach.

As South African runner Caster Semenya returned home Tuesday to a hero's welcome, President Jacob Zuma chastised the International Assn. of Athletics Federations over gender tests carried out on the athlete and declared there was no way she would be stripped of her gold medal in the women's 800-meter world championship. Thousands of people came to celebrate the 18-year-old Semenya's return at O.R. Tambo International Airport -- and to vent their anger at what they see as her ill treatment.

Clothing and toy manufacturers launched a fresh effort Wednesday aimed at postponing enforcement of a law set to take effect next week that forces items that may contain dangerous amounts of lead to be pulled from shelves. The manufacturers want to delay for at least six months the effective date of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, passed by Congress last year in response to a string of toy recalls.

Jennifer Taggart's testing gun seems an anomaly in this California Market Center room filled with pink tutus and flowery white baby gowns. She holds a laser gun, called the XRF Analyzer, to a tiny dress and waits. The scanner beeps: The garment doesn't contain any lead. Its designer sighs in relief. On Friday, clothing buyers from retail boutiques start pouring into the downtown Los Angeles garment emporium to decide which items to stock.