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/ 6 June 2006

Heaven or hell for the Sahel?

The semi-arid Sahel stretches across Africa just south of the Sahara. The region suffered severe drought during the second half of the 20th century, but there is disagreement between scientists on the reasons for the decline in rainfall — and on the Sahel’s future prospects of increased rainfall.

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/ 4 August 2004

Science of the small could create big ‘nano-divide’

In the long-term, nanotechnology — or the technology of very small particles — could generate big benefits for global society, such as cheap sustainable energy and better methods for disease diagnosis and treatment. But there is a risk that different capabilities to develop and exploit new technologies will create a "nano-divide" between rich and poor nations in the more immediate future.