More than a third of the British population is suffering from computer stress as a result of inadequate systems, new research reveals. Most office workers are using equipment that is several generations out of date. Up to half of Britain's workforce use older systems. JM
March's nuclear strike near the Urals caused not only environmental devastation in the region but continuing side effects further afield. The cold summer over Asia led to the poorest wheat and rice harvests for years; this is being followed by record cold temperatures over central and southern Russia despite global warming. But at least next spring's ozone hole over the Arctic is likely to be the smallest since the early 1990s. MH
A leaked internal memo from Lloyd's of London reveals that its underwriters regard genetic engineering as too risky to insure. The memo records the decision to refuse to insure the biotechnology multinational ImGen against possible damage claims. JB
Adispel, a new weight-loss pill, promises a double whammy on fat. It contains one drug, similar to the hormone leptin, to fool your brain into thinking you are fatter than you are. The other drug mimics the 'uncoupling' proteins in the body that speed up the rate at which cells can burn off fat. JB
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