鈥淲e as consumers have been completely unaware of the complex chain of events tying widespread sexual violence in [the Democratic Republic of the] Congo to the minerals that help power our cellphones, laptops, MP3 players, video games and digital cameras.鈥�
on how demand for tin, tungsten and tantalum is fuelling rape
鈥淚f Darwin had been dependent on a grant from a British research council, he would never have set sail.鈥�
Advertisement
, London, arguing that university research is becoming too commercially oriented
鈥淏ad information in the medical literature leads doctors to make irrational prescribing decisions, which ultimately can cost lives.鈥�
on drug company Merck paying publisher Elsevier (a sister company of New 杏吧原创) to produce a promotional magazine in the style of a peer-reviewed journal
Horizon scanner
Expect controversy over the status of Pluto to reignite, following a decision by the International Astronomical Union to reopen the issue. Some astronomers hope to reinstate Pluto to full planetary status and promote a host of other 鈥減lutoids鈥� for good measure. There will be blood.
Good week for鈥�
Astrophysics The European Space Agency successfully launched its , which are expected to revolutionise our understanding of the universe
Bad week for鈥�
Particle physics Austria intends to its 鈧�17 million annual funding from the CERN laboratory in Geneva, prompting fears that other contributors will follow suit