US tourist set for space station
US space tourist Richard Garriott follows in the footsteps of his astronaut father as he blasts off into space.

Nature loss 'dwarfs bank crisis'
The global economy loses more money from deforestation than the current banking crisis, says an EU-commissioned report.

Nasa committed to Mars rover plan
Nasa pushes ahead with plans to launch its 2009 Mars mission, but acknowledges the need for extra funds to make it happen.

Minister wants astronaut 'icon'
The UK's new science minister says he wants a British astronaut in space because that individual would inspire youngsters.

Call to maintain climate targets
Ed Miliband, the new energy and climate secretary, urges Europe's leaders to stick to climate change targets.

Hydrogen centre 'first in the UK'
A hydrogen energy research centre, described as the first of its kind in the UK, opens near Swansea, Wales.

Gut 'tasting' could beat poisons
The gut may have receptors that shut down appetite when bitter substances are detected, a study suggests.

'Unbreakable' encryption unveiled
A computer network protected by unbreakable quantum encryption is launched at a science conference in Vienna.

Lions and cheetahs prove to be a big hit on the BBC's webcams
Webcams in Kenya's Masai Mara Reserve have proven to be a big hit with users during the BBC's Big Cat Live event.

World's loneliest bug may offer clues to life on other planets
A bug which lives entirely on its own without oxygen and in complete darkness could offer clues to life on other planets.

Economic problems must not derail the Millennium Development Goals
Why economic problems must not derail progress on the Millennium Development Goals, which the UN assesses this week.

The plight of the bluefin
The Atlantic bluefin tuna is in a parlous state - does it represent a oceans-wide legacy of overfishing?

Five alive (just)
Rare, not well done - the species on the brink of extinction

The Tech Lab
Steve Furber - from the BBC Micro to the human brain

In bloom
A Dutch company cultivates algae for use in biofuel

Monkey or lion?
Clever marketing gives hybrid seeds farmer appeal

Silver lining
Why climate change is good news for conservationists

'Glowing' jellyfish grabs Nobel
A clever trick borrowed from jellyfish earns two Americans and one Japanese scientist a share of the chemistry Nobel Prize.

Is anybody listening out there?
Messages are beamed to a planet 20 light years from Earth in the hope they will reach intelligent alien life.

Messenger extends Mercury vista
Nasa's Messenger probe returns more close-up images of Mercury previously unseen by a spacecraft.

Cosmic imperfections celebrated
The Nobel Prize for physics this year lauds three individuals who described tiny flaws in the fabric of the Universe.

Europe follows fusion twin track
An alternative fusion project is initiated in Europe that would seek abundant clean energy using a colossal laser.

Pledge to protect Sumatran forest
Indonesia pledges to stop the loss of forests and species in Sumatra, one of the world's most ecologically important islands.

Fisheries waste 'costs billions'
The world's fishing fleets are losing billions of dollars each year through depleted stocks and poor management, a UN report says.

Water policy 'failing to deliver'
The UK's existing water policy will fail to cope with future extreme weather events, a National Trust report warns.

New fungi species found in UK
Several species of fungi new to the UK have been unearthed by mushroom experts at the National Trust's Clumber Park.

'Deepest ever' living fish filmed
The "deepest ever" living fish are discovered 7.5km down, scientists say.