Creationist reverse
After widespread protest, the state-run zoo in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has reversed its decision to install a display on the biblical account of creation. Creationists had demanded 鈥渆qual time鈥� with religious displays such as a statue of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh near the elephant house.
Brazil backs down
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Brazil has backed down from its threat to manufacture a generic form of the anti-HIV drug Kaletra. In return, the drug鈥檚 manufacturer, Illinois-based Abbott Laboratories, has agreed to supply the drug at a price that will save Brazil more than $250 million over the next six years.
HIV catastrophe
An estimated 6.3 million people in South Africa 鈥� about 14 per cent of its population 鈥� had HIV by the end of 2004, a survey of pregnant women suggests. In May, the state statistics agency estimated that 4.5 million people were infected. While some independent experts think the latest total is too high, all estimates suggest that efforts to halt the spread of the virus are failing.
US dominance in doubt?
The US鈥檚 world lead in science and technology could slip because too few Americans are opting for science degrees. A study by Richard Freeman at the National Bureau of Economic Research shows 17 per cent of US graduates are scientists or engineers. The world average is 27 per cent. Freeman predicts that by 2010 Europe will be turning out twice as many science and engineering PhDs as the US.
Third space tourist
Millionaire researcher and entrepreneur Gregory Olsen will be the third space tourist to visit the International Space Station. He confirmed on 6 July that undisclosed health problems that had delayed his flight have been resolved. The $20 million flight, with the Russian space agency, could happen in October.