EMBARGO: NOT FOR PUBLICATION BEFORE:-14:00 HRS US ET (19:00 HRS British SummerTime) WEDNESDAY, 30 MAY 2001
NEWS THIS WEEK:
YOUR WORST FEARSTerrorists could easily make a crude atomic bomb from MOX fuel produced at a new plant in north-west England according to a confidential report submitted to the government. The report warns it would be "sheer irresponsibility" for the government to allow the new plant to open. Pages 4-5
BALANCING ACTZapping your head with electricity could help you keep your balance. A system developed in Boston can control or enhance balance by manipulating the nerve signals that help your brain work out which direction is vertical. Page 23
TOO HOT TO HANDLEIt's not just speed that makes motor racing dangerous. Australian researchers have discovered that heat and high levels of carbon monoxide are seriously impairing some competitor's ability to drive. Page 13
RAGING BULLMatadors who want to know how aggressive a bull will be should take a glance at its hairstyle. American researchers have found a link between the position of the bull's facial hair whorl and the animal's temperament. Page 16
FRESH FROM THE PEAT BOGFishing boats should pack their fish in peat moss instead of in expensive freezers. Norwegian researchers have found that sphagnum moss can keep fish fresh for weeks at room temperature. Page 19
FLIGHT OF THE MARTIAN BEENASA hope that a moth-like robot plane will be the first craft to cruise through the Martian skies. Normal planes would never get airborne in the Martian atmosphere, but by copying the way bumblebees fly, the Entomopter should be able to buzz effortlessly around the Red Planet. Page 20
SUNNY WITH SHOWERSHigh-energy particles from deep space could help predict the weather here on Earth, say Chinese researchers. Measuring the number of particles generated by cosmic rays that reach the Earth's surface could tell us how air temperature changes with altitude. Page 17
SHORT STORY - DON'T SIT TOO CLOSE TO MEAre your kids sitting too close to the TV screen? Japanese researchers have come up with an answer - a gadget that cuts the power to the TV when a viewer gets to within one metre of the screen. Page 21
THE HOME-MOVIE CHANNELAnyone with a satellite dish and PC may soon be able to view other people's home movies. To make this possible, Eutelsat has developed a bridge between satellite and Internet technology. Page 24
FEATURES:
SIMPLY SENSATIONALA tap in the right place and pilots will soon be able to fly blindfolded. The world's first tactile flight suit is being developed to exploit our response to touch. The suit's main job will be to give pilots tactile information on altitude, airspeed, and more importantly - which way is up. Pages 30-33
THE HEAVENS AT WARThe US believes a war in space in a virtual certainty. It's only a matter of time before the superpowers start building sophisticated space weaponry to battle it out in orbit. Pages 26-29
RESURRECTIONEcologists have discovered the secret wealth of San Francisco Bay's wetlands. The area is a remnant of the seasonal ponds that dotted the bay before Europeans arrived. With the help of some historical sleuthing, researchers hope to restore the area's native habitat. Pages 38-41
CRITTERS WITH ATTITUDEMeet the cowardly spiders, reckless salamanders and fearless fishes. Researchers have found that some animals really do have distinct personality traits. Pages 34-37
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ISSUE DATE: 2 JUNE 2001
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