Sex hormone progesterone to get head injury trial
February 20, 2010
Natural progesterone, the sex hormone used in the first contraceptive pills, is to be tested on patients with severe head injuries.
Scientists will begin a phase III clinical trial in March and say the drug could save patients’ lives and reduce damage to their brains.
Do speedy elephants walk or run?
February 13, 2010
With their awkward, lumbering gait, elephants moving at high speed are not the most graceful of animals - but are they walking or running?
Now scientists believe they have an answer: new research confirms that they do both - at the same time.
By observing elephants moving across a hi-tech track, the team found the hefty creatures run with their front legs but walk with their back legs.
Astronomers hopeful of detecting extra-terrestrial life
January 25, 2010
The chance of discovering life on other worlds is greater than ever, according to Britain’s leading astronomer.
Lord Rees, the president of the Royal Society and Astronomer Royal, said such a discovery would be a moment which would change humanity.
UN welcomes climate summit deal
December 19, 2009
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed a US-backed climate deal in Copenhagen as an “essential beginning”.
He was speaking after delegates passed a motion recognising the agreement, which the US reached with key nations including China and Brazil.
But Mr Ban said the agreement must be made legally binding next year.
New climate deal may have to wait
December 17, 2009
The Danish presidency of the climate summit in Copenhagen has sought to play down expectations of a comprehensive deal emerging from the meeting.
Officials said progress could be made, but an international agreement may have to wait until a 2010 meeting in Mexico.
‘Significant’ water found on Moon
November 14, 2009
Nasa’s experiment last month to find water on the Moon was a major success, US scientists have announced.
The space agency smashed a rocket and a probe into a large crater at the lunar south pole, hoping to kick up ice.
Scientists who have studied the data now say instruments trained on the impact plume saw copious quantities of water-ice and water vapour.
Crime rings boost ivory smuggling
November 12, 2009
The last year has seen a major increase in the illegal ivory trade, with more involvement from organised crime.
Figures compiled by Traffic, the agency charged with monitoring the trade, show a doubling in the volume of illegal ivory seized from 2008 to 2009.
New Nasa rocket prepares to fly
October 27, 2009
A rocket designed to replace the aging space shuttle is set for its first test-flight, despite questions over the future of the programme.
The 100m-long Ares I-X has a four-hour launch window for blast-off from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Center.
The two-minute flight will allow Nasa to test technology crucial for the development of the manned Ares I craft.
A high-profile report has cast doubt on the future of the Ares rocket, which is intended to enter service in 2015.
‘Scary’ climate message from past
October 11, 2009
A new historical record of carbon dioxide levels suggests current political targets on climate may be “playing with fire”, scientists say.
Researchers used ocean sediments to plot CO2 levels back 20 million years.
Levels similar to those now commonly regarded as adequate to tackle climate change were associated with sea levels 25-40m (80-130 ft) higher than today.
‘Space clown’ hosts global show
October 10, 2009
Circus entrepreneur and “first clown in space” Guy Laliberte has hosted a global artistic performance from the International Space Station (ISS).
Mr Laliberte introduced artists and speakers from 14 countries in a two-hour show aimed at drawing attention to global water shortages.