AWOL satellite
A European communications satellite called Astra 5A that failed on 16 January has become a threat to other spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. Its operator, Luxembourg-based SES Astra, is tracking the craft and notifying operators of nearby satellites that could be in harm鈥檚 way.
Surge for tidal energy
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Five designs were shortlisted on Tuesday for the world鈥檚 largest renewable energy project, a scheme to harvest tidal energy from the river Severn in the UK. The estuary has the second-greatest tidal range in the world. The most ambitious proposal could generate 5 per cent of the UK鈥檚 electricity.
Modifications to die for
Genetically engineering Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata) so that their offspring die in infancy could control the pest, which devastates fruit crops worldwide. The GM flies should be able to successfully compete with non-GM males during the mating season, leading to a new generation that cannot reproduce (BMC Biology, ).
Stop albino murders
Tanzania鈥檚 prime minister, Mizengo Pinda, has banned traditional healers from practising 鈥� in an effort to stop the murder of albino people. There had been 40 such murders since mid-2007. Some healers believe that drinking potions containing albino body parts brings good luck.
The ill wind blew on
Poor, elderly residents of New Orleans, Louisiana, suffered disproportionately from ill health after hurricane Katrina struck, a survey of over 20,000 survivors aged 65 and over has found. Ill health in those surveyed rose 13 per cent in the year after Katrina, quadruple the increase in other US populations (The American Journal of Managed Care, vol 15, p 21).