Feature Article

Efforts to squeeze fuel out of microbes have passed a turning point. (Editorial)

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21028135.100-prepare-for-the-renew...

The accident at the Fukushima power plant in Japan has led to much discussion about the future of nuclear power. I believe one important lesson of the accident has been overlooked. Nuclear power is often touted as a solution to climate change, but Fukushima serves as a warning that far from solving the climate problem, nuclear power may be highly vulnerable to it.

Elizabeth Hausler aims to bring quake-resistant construction to the developing world : Interview.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21028138.300-quake-engineer-earthq...

Microbes with tweaked DNA can convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into oil, but will it ever power our cars?

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21028136.200-renewable-oil-ancient...

TWO months after the explosions and radiation leaks at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, the prime minister, Naoto Kan, has announced that the country will not build any new reactors. If Kan really means it, the government will have to abandon the plans for expanding nuclear power it adopted only last year.

The inquiry committee report on the anti-cervical cancer vaccine study project finds serious ethical violations. (Editorial)

What is it that makes our policymakers see “cash transfers” as a magic wand? (Editorial)
 

The Planning Commission’s High Level Expert Group has given its provisional progress report on developing a framework for universal health coverage. Its mandate is to suggest a strategy for universal health coverage rather than a universal healthcare system. The latter would be geared to a progressive socialisation of healthcare based on human rights.