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25.1 News 352-3 NIBS MH.Indd NEWS IN BRIEF NATURE|Vol 445|25 January 2007 convinced experts that the drop — a first Demolished satellite turns since records began in 1930 — marks a real into dangerous debris trend rather than a statistical fluke. The latest figures were announced by the One unwelcome outcome of China’s recent American Cancer Society on 17 January destruction of a satellite is the creation of a (A. Jemal et al. CA Cancer J. Clin. 57, 43–66; large amount of space debris. 2007). Compiled for 2004, they show that On 11 January, according to US the number of deaths fell by 0.5% over the intelligence sources, China launched a previous year to 553,888. Earlier tumour test weapon that struck and destroyed an detection, better treatment and disease obsolete weather satellite. prevention due to lifestyle changes are David Wright, a weapons expert at probably behind the drop, the society says. the Union of Concerned Scientists in But the decline doesn’t mean doctors and Cambridge, Massachusetts, estimates that researchers can drop their guard. Cancer Pay as you go: a UK scheme could boost consumer the explosion created a cloud of 2 million still kills more than 7.6 million people each confidence in ways to offset carbon emissions. particles in an orbit similar to that of year, accounting for about 13% of all deaths many other satellites. The debris probably worldwide. environment minister Ben Bradshaw, who includes some 40,000 particles larger than opened the plans up to public consultation 1 centimetre moving at about 7.5 kilometres on 18 January. DAMM/ZEFA/CORBIS F. a second, 30 times the speed of a jumbo jet. Britain draws up rules for Carbon offsetting (see Nature 444, “A millimetre-sized piece of debris can carbon buy-back schemes 976–977; 2006) gives consumers the chance very seriously damage a satellite,” says to buy back greenhouse-gas emissions Wright. Many of the particles will remain in Britain is set to become the first country to from activities such as flying by investing orbit for a decade or longer, he adds. introduce government-regulated voluntary in emissions-saving projects. Some standards for carbon-offsetting schemes. businesses have begun offering offsets as The move would allow consumers to ensure part of holiday packages, but consumer Drop in fatalities fuels that money paid into such projects goes groups have warned that not all schemes optimism over cancer towards cutting greenhouse-gas emissions. deliver genuine emissions cuts. The new Under the scheme, offsetting agencies scheme would give a thumbs-up to agencies The number of people dying from cancer in that measure up to the government’s that offer offsetting schemes approved the United States has fallen for the second code of practice will get a ‘quality mark’ by monitoring bodies such as the United time in two years. The second decline has that they can advertise to customers, said Nations’ Clean Development Mechanism. 352 NATURE|Vol 445|25 January 2007 NEWS IN BRIEF increasing the number of herbicide- formation for the technical, organizational Growth of transgenic crops resistant weeds. and financial management of the ESO’s seeds food fight three major projects: an upgrade of the Very Large Telescope in Chile, construction of For the first time, the area of the world Dutch astronomer shines the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, and planted with genetically modified crops has at European observatory development of the European Extremely exceeded 100 million hectares, according Large Telescope. to an industry-backed group. The figure Astronomer Tim de Zeeuw has been represents a 13% jump over 2005, it says, appointed director-general of the Munich- and shows a 60-fold increase since the crops based European Southern Observatory Think-tank highlights were first planted a decade ago. (ESO). When he takes office in September, rapid rise of science in Asia In its report issued on 18 January, the he will become the observatory’s seventh International Service for the Acquisition of director — and the fourth to be Dutch. At Surges in markets, state funding and a flow Agri-biotech Applications notes that more 50 years old, he is also one of the youngest to of native talent heading home are boosting than 90% of the 10.3 million farms growing hold the post. science and innovation in China, India and biotech crops are relatively small. Currently science director of the Leiden South Korea to an unprecedented extent But opponents of genetically modified Observatory in the Netherlands, de Zeeuw that is too little appreciated elsewhere. crops published their own report on will temporarily exchange his personal That’s the main conclusion of four reports 9 January asserting that uptake of the research interests in galaxy and star surveying these countries, published last technology has generally increased the use week by the UK think-tank Demos. of pesticides and has not benefited either The reports also note the countries’ ESO small farms or consumers. weaknesses, including a need to establish The Amsterdam-based Friends of the more confidence in ethical frameworks Earth International and the Center for and to develop home-grown creativity. Food Safety, based in Washington DC, say Nevertheless, Demos says, a fundamental that most genetically modified crops are shift in the geography of scientific ideas and used as high-priced animal feed to supply their impacts is under way. rich nations with meat. They report that Demos warns governments in the West more than 70% of the crops are grown in not to react in a defensive way to this growth. the United States and Argentina, and Instead the group proposes schemes by claim that genetically modified crops Starman: Tim de Zeeuw will take the reins at the which Britain, in particular, should increase have served to boost herbicide sales while European Southern Observatory in September. its engagement with the three countries. 353.
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