Millions of pounds spent combating traffic pollution on health grounds may be wasted because vehicle emissions now cause little harm, according to official research. Tricks of Memory. The 20th century has witnessed the conquering of infectious disease, soaring life expectancy and a miracle of economic growth, argues Geoffrey Wheatcroft. Yet it is often described as the most terrible century in human history and we can't even remember its horrors without descending into a kind of false memory syndrome. Prospect Magazine .
Yellow rice gives dietary boost.
Researchers have genetically engineered a more nutritious type of rice which could help alleviate the serious problem of vitamin A deficiency. The seeds will be made freely available to farmers in developing countries. This will please aid organisations who have expressed concern that the new plant technologies will be priced beyond the reach of the world's poorest farmers. In a previous era, spirits and demons oppressed us. Although they have been replaced by our contemporary concern about invisible viruses, chemicals, and toxins, the mechanisms of contagious fear remain the same.