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GSReport Home First Take: The View from Global Situation Report Editorial: GSReport is not impartial. We have strong views on global trends and their causes which will guide our editorial policy. Arthur C. Clarke's Visions of the Future Visionary author Arthur C. Clarke told reporters in early March, 1999 that he foresees a 21st century world in which energy is cheap, clean and unlimited, holding a job is optional, and lots of people live and work in space. Megatrends -- Then and Now Eighteen years after John Naisbitt published his mega-bestseller Megatrends, it's clear that he correctly predicted a number of important future trends, and also failed to anticipate some very big developments. World's 'Vital Signs' for 1999 Global temperature is up; global economic growth is down; global population is growing, but not as fast as predicted because the death-rate is climbing -- all part of a complex picture of 'Vital Signs' from the Worldwatch Institute. Reality Check: The Mid-Year View From GSReport A mid-1999 survey finds a global situation in which potential bio-tech miracles stand in stark contrast to growing environmental threats, and tragic numbers of humans still commit atrocities against one another. Looking Ahead: Top Stories of the 21st Century What will our children's children see as the top stories of the coming century? In this special report, GSReport editor Michael Lindemann suggests some possibilities. Society The Economic Boom: How Big, How Broad, How Long? (2/10/00) In February 2000, the current U.S. economic expansion became the longest in history, but some forecasters think it still has a very long way to go. A Vision of a Coming Age of Prosperity (1/25/00) In 'The Long Boom,' author Peter Schwartz and colleagues argue that economic and social conditions could get steadily better for the majority of Earth's people in the years ahead. Information Economy Boom Obscuring Earth's Decline (1/25/00) The Worldwatch Institute warned in its annual 'State of the World' report for the year 2000 that good economic news was deflecting public attention from grave environmental problems. Y2K's Gentle Arrival Surprises Many Analysts (01/10/00) Y2K came in like a lamb as New Year's Day dawned almost free of problems around the world. Even optimists seemed pleasantly surprised. Snapshots From the 'Battle of Seattle' (12/10/99) The WTO Conference in Seattle was met by massive protests, signifying that many people around the world do not believe trade should take precedence over human rights and the environment. Y2K Update: U.S. Navy Report Overplayed, But Many Y2K Problems Loom (8/25/99) Dire Y2K predictions in a recent U.S. Navy report are 'worst-case,' not 'probable,' Navy spokesmen say; but U.S. businesses are falling behind in Y2K preparation, and global recession seems increasingly likely. Famine Threatens Much of Africa But Eases in N. Korea (8/25/99) A new report from the FAO says that several nations of north and central Africa face imminent danger of famine, with millions of lives at risk. Energy: Can World Meet Demand of Next 50 Years? (8/10/99) The demand for energy will increase by at least 50% over current levels during the next 50 years, raising grave concerns over how so much energy can be produced without enormous environmental damage. Water Shortages Threaten Food Supplies and Peace (7/25/99) In much of the world, producing adequate supplies of food increasingly depends upon unsustainable levels of irrigation. Methods exist to use available water much more efficiently, but time is running short. China-Taiwan Rift Could Provoke Global Crisis (7/25/99) Taiwan's recent dramatic shift away from a long-standing 'one China' policy prompted threats of armed retaliation by Beijing and got almost no support from the West. Cities Hold Key to Winning Environmental Battle (7/10/99) The growth of cities is greatly outpacing the growth of human population. Cities now account for the bulk of carbon emissions, water consumption and other key aspects of human impact upon the planet. Russia Slowly Rebounds; West Remains Wary (7/10/99) In Russia, a nation cursed by misfortune, things are finally starting to look up. But Russia's situation remains dire; political instability looms, and Yeltsin's reforms are threatened by reactionary forces. China's Threat to the U.S. Should Not Be Overblown (6/10/99) Conservative U.S. lawmakers have claimed that Chinese theft of nuclear secrets has given China virtual weapons parity with the U.S., but most experts say such fears are greatly overblown. Kosovo: Bombing Stops, But Major Challenges Ahead (6/10/99) Serb troops began pulling out of Kosovo, NATO suspended bombing and peacekeepers awaited orders to deploy, raising hopes that the Balkan conflict was over and nearly one million refugees could soon start for home. U.S. Treasury Secretary-to-Be Dumps on World (5/25/99) Lawrence Summers, soon to become U.S. Treasury Secretary, showed his disdain for the have-nots of the world in a 1991 memo that enraged environmentalists. U.S. Eases Restrictions on Medical Marijuana Research (5/25/99) Acknowledging that marijuana can have legitimate medical value without posing a significant health risk, the U.S. government has begun easing restrictions on marijuana research. Famine Puts Entire Generation of N. Koreans at Risk (5/25/99) Among the most dire consequences of the severe famine in North Korea is widespread malnutrition among very young children, who could grow up stunted or retarded as a result. Amid Economic Woes, Japanese Brace For Millennium (5/25/99) Many people in Japan look to the millennium with foreboding; millions subscribe to the dire predictions of Nostradamus. Will Change in Israel Bring Peace in Mid-East? (5/25/99) The landslide victory of Ehud Barak in Israel raised hopes for a revival of the Mid-East peace process. But Barak must first form a government. China Got U.S. Nuke Secrets -- How Much Damage? (5/25/99) A Congressional report says China succeeded in acquiring highly sensitive U.S. nuclear secrets during three successive administrations, a charge China denies. Kosovo: The Long March Toward Settlement (5/25/99) The NATO bombing campaign in Serbia entered its third month with Britain calling for a ground invasion, but most of the Alliance is resisting that impulse as efforts toward a negotiated settlement continue. Beyond Kosovo: Peacemaking In a Post-Cold War Era (5/10/99) Armed conflict became radically more deadly during the 20th century, but the new millennium affords an opportunity to build the foundations of lasting global peace and security, says Michael Renner of the Worldwatch Institute. Iran Moderates Seen Gaining Over Hard-Liners (5/10/99) Led by moderate president Mohammad Khatami, a new spirit of intellectual freedom is sweeping Iran, but not without strong opposition. HIV Can Hide in Body for Decades (5/10/99) New research shows that current HIV-suppressing drugs cannot cure or prevent AIDS, because the HIV virus can 'hide' in the human body for up to 60 years. Chinese Government Worried About Huge 'Cult' (5/10/99) Millions of Chinese citizens practice the ancient health regimen called Qigong, but Chinese officials fear that some Qigong teachers may have too much political power. Chernobyl Horror Lingers 13 Years Later (5/10/99) Devastating effects of the 1986 nuclear accident at Chernobyl continue to haunt the Ukraine and will do so for decades to come. Kosovo Crisis: What a Difference Two Weeks Can Make (5/10/99) Ambivalence in the U.S. Congress, Milosevic's release of U.S. POWs, G-8 support of negotiations and NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade all contributed to the rapidly changing complexion of the Kosovo crisis. Revolt Against Genetically Modified Foods Gains Force (5/10/99) In recent months, a consumer backlash against genetically modified (GM) foods has exploded across much of Europe and now threatens to stop the GM industry in its tracks. Swiss Move Toward Legalization of Marijuana (4/25/99) Noting that existing drug laws are not effective, a study panel has advised the Swiss government to legalize marijuana. Global Population Growth Is Slowing, Study Says (4/25/99) Increasing death rates from AIDs and starvation in the world's most impoverished regions will slow the overall growth of world population, according to the Worldwatch Institute. High School Carnage Raises Old Questions Again (4/25/99) When two young killers massacred a dozen classmates at Columbine High in Littleton, Colorado, the whole world recoiled in horror and wondered aloud what has gone wrong in American society. Step By Step, the Balkan War Unfolds (4/25/99) NATO bombing over Yugoslavia continues into its fifth week with no end in sight, while U.S. leaders are increasingly divided over strategy. Plans for Earth Day 2000 Are Already Underway (4/25/99) Ambitious plans for Earth Day 2000 will build a coalition of leaders in business, government, media and education and focus on appropriate energy technologies for the new millennium. Coal Fumes Said to Poison Millions of Chinese (4/25/99) Poor quality coal used for home cooking and heating is blamed for causing cancer, bone disease and other ailments in millions of Chinese peasants. China Could Face Worse Flooding Than Last Year (4/25/99) Chinese officials have warned citizens living near major rivers to brace for a repeat, or worse, of the deadly floods that hit China in 1998. Cancer Rates Are Dropping, Mostly Among Men (4/25/99) Most kinds of cancer are decreasing, but lung cancer among U.S. women actually increased in recent years, according to the American Cancer Society. Drug Prolongs Life in Breast Cancer Sufferers (4/25/99) A drug called Herceptin recently approved by the FDA is the first substance shown to extend life in late-stage breast cancer sufferers. Bee Venom Therapy May Ease Many Ailments (4/25/99) Therapeutic application of honey bee venom has been practiced since antiquity and may be an effective treatment for arthritis and other inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Boris Yeltsin's Popularity Drops to Single Digits (4/10/99) Amid continuing economic crisis, scandal and resurging ultra-nationalism, Russian President Boris Yeltsin's popularity is at an all-time low. Kosovo Draws Attention While Other Conflicts Rage (4/10/99) Conflict in Yugoslavia makes headlines, but other major wars continue in Africa and Asia, mostly ignored by the world press. Healthy Competition in the Oil Industry? Consider This... (4/10/99) Interlocking ownership among major oil companies means you often can't be sure whose gas you're really buying. Merger Fever Hits Oil Industry as Uncertainties Loom (4/10/99) The world's biggest oil companies are looking to gobble up second-tier producers, anticipating a harsher competitive climate ahead. 20th Century Fox Wrecking Beach for Film (4/10/99) Environmentalists are calling for a boycott of 20th Century Fox, saying the film company destroyed a protected beach in Thailand during shooting of a new film. Watchdog Group Cites Most-Censored Stories of 1998 (4/10/99) 'Project Censored' at Sonoma State University in California announced the 25 most-censored news stories of 1998. Their top pick focused on the little-known Multilateral Agreement on Investment. Hopeful Parents Vie Mightily For a Millennium Baby (4/10/99) April 9, 1999 was judged by reproduction experts to be the optimal day to conceive a child born on Jan 1, 2000 -- and all around the world, couples gave it their best shot. Iran: Human Rights Improve, But Problems Persist (4/10/99) Iran is slowly becoming a more tolerant society, but reactionary clerics strongly oppose the policies of moderate President Mohammad Khatami. Arab Miss Israel Arouses Political Ire (4/10/99) The first Arab woman to win the title of Miss Israel finds herself the focus of bitter political wrangling, but vows to keep her crown. Discovery Could Lead to Treatment for Alzheimers (4/10/99) Researchers have identified an enzyme that contributes to, or perhaps causes, the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. Blocking that enzyme in the brain may lead to an effective treatment. War In Europe -- Down The Slippery Slope (4/10/99) Editorial: After 18 days of bombing, NATO seems farther from achieving its goals in Kosovo that Milosevic is to achieving his. The prospect of NATO ground troops looks increasingly likely, and with it the threat of a wider war in Europe. Hungry North Koreans Trade Nuke Info for Potatoes (3/25/99) Famine-stricken North Korea has agreed to allow U.S. personnel to inspect a suspected nuclear facility in exchange for assistance with potato cultivation. British Ruling on Pinochet Sets New Precedent (3/25/99) Members of the British House of Lords ruled on March 24, 1999 that former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is not immune from prosecution for alleged human rights atrocities; but the panel also reduced the number of charges from 32 to 3. Palestine Ponders Statehood as May 4 Approaches (3/25/99) Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat visited a number of foreign capitals during the last week of March, 1999, seeking advice and support for Palestine's anticipated declaration of statehood, as set forth in the Oslo peace accords five years ago. Turning the Tide to Save Earth's Oceans (3/25/99) As pollution, overfishing and other human activities threaten to overwhelm life in the seas, growing numbers of businesses and governments are trying to reverse the negative trends. Vigilantism Becoming Daily Activity in Kenya (3/25/99) Many Kenya citizens say they're tired of being preyed upon by hoodlums and ignored by corrupt police, so they're taking the law into their own hands. Anniversaries: U.S. Recalls Two Historic Disasters (3/25/99) During the last week of March, 1999, the U.S. looked back on the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster of 20 years ago, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster ten years ago. Kosovo: Is This The Only Way? (3/25/99) Editorial: Though the policies of Slobodan Milosevic are reprehensible, NATO's resort to bombing brings with it enormous risks and slim likelihood of decisive victory. Iraq, Balkans Unrest Raise Danger of Nuke Mistake (3/10/99) A top Russian defense official said on March 2, 1999 that Russia's disputes with the West over Iraq and Yugoslavia could increase the chances that Moscow would retaliate after a false warning of a missile attack. Nuclear Industry Faces Slow Slide to Oblivion (3/10/99) According to the Worldwatch Institute, the nuclear power industry is at its peak of power capacity now and will start declining within two years, toward eventual extinction sometime in the mid-21st century. Indian Farmers Sell Precious Water to Tourists (3/10/99) In the popular tourist town of Kanyakumari on India's southern coast, local farmers have found they can make more money selling their water to tourist hotels and restaurants than using it to grow crops. Green Party Gains Power, But Loses Respect (3/10/99) In Germany, the environmental Green party has gained unprecedented power in the government, but now finds it is losing touch with the people, and with its own message. China Protests U.S.-Japan Effort on Missile Shield (3/10/99) Chinese officials say that a proposed U.S.-Japan collaboration on a new missile defense system could seriously destabilize the Asia-Pacific region. Amtrak Unveils First High-Speed Train in U.S. (3/10/99) The first of a new generation of 150 MPH passenger trains was unveiled by Amtrak on March 9, 1999, to run between Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. World May Be on Edge of Environmental Revolution (2/25/99) There are growing signs that the world may be nearing an environmental revolution comparable to the political revolution that swept Eastern Europe a decade ago, according to the Worldwatch Institute. Turkey: A Nation at the Crossroads (2/25/99) Turkey is a nation of rich history, strong aspirations and deep contradictions, situated where East and West, and past and future, meet. Russia's Other Biggest Problem: Tuberculosis (2/25/99) A virulent, drug resistant strain of tuberculosis is spreading fast in Russia and is already showing up in other parts of the world, prompting fears of a global epidemic in the coming decade. Future Shock: Men Could Have Babies, Expert Says (2/25/99) A leading British fertility expert says it should be possible for a man to carry a baby to term and then deliver it by Caesarean section. Canada Has New Territory, To Be Run By Native Inuit (2/25/99) On February 15, 1999, Canada announced creation of a new territory which will be governed by the Inuit people who are native to the region. India and Pakistan: Bus Diplomacy (2/25/99) The start of the first commercial bus service between India and Pakistan in 51 years signalled a new resolve between the two countries to build stronger ties rather than risk future war. The Global Economy: Will It or Won't It? (2/25/99) The U.S. economy continued to show strength in early 1999, but Japan, Russia and some other economies were troubled, raising questions of a possible global recession ahead. Conflict Update: Iraq, Kosovo, Ethiopia-Eritrea (2/25/99) Shooting conflicts were underway in several parts of the world in mid-February, 1999, while prolonged efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement in the Serb province of Kosovo reached a stalemate. Biogenetics Treaty Talks Stall in Cartagena (2/25/99) UN-sponsored talks in Cartagena, Colombia, aimed at curbing proliferation of genetically altered foods, fell apart in mid-February, 1999 in the face of resistance from the United States and several other nations. AIDS Could Become No. 1 Infectious Killer by 2020 (2/25/99) If the current trend in developing countries continues, AIDS could be the number one infectious cause of death worldwide by the year 2020. Global Aging Adds New Wrinkle to Population Problem (2/25/99) There are more old people alive today than ever before, putting new strains on social security and raising questions about the value of longevity itself. Transitions: King Hussein, Soon Mandela, Yeltsin (2/10/99) The passing of Jordan's King Hussein marked the end of an era in the Middle East. Other major leaders soon to leave the world stage include Nelson Mandela and Boris Yeltsin. Vatican: 'Devil Made Me Do It' Ain't Necessarily So (2/10/99) Bowing to changing times, Vatican theologians are revamping their views on the Devil. Aids Vaccine to Begin Testing in Africa (2/10/99) In February, 1999, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced commencement of AIDS vaccine testing in Uganda. Southern Africa Currency Consolidation 'Inevitable' (2/10/99) Consolidation to one common currency has become a hot topic in the 14-nation Southern African Development Community. Boeing May Use Missile Theory in TWA 800 Litigation (1/25/99) Boeing Corp. is rumored to be considering the missile theory as a viable defense in pending litigation over the crash of TWA 800. Three-Currency World Now Seems Plausible (1/25/99) With the successful introduction of the euro currency, some economists and politicians are looking to the day when a dollar zone in the Americas and a yen zone in the Far East result in a three-currency world. New U.S. Defense Spending to Reverse Decade of Decline (1/25/99) In his State of the Union address on Jan 19, 1999, President Clinton announced plans to increase defense spending, emphasizing the need for a national missile defense. The Future According to Gordon-Michael Scallion (1/25/99) Do the startling predictions of this 'Latter-Day Nostradamus' make sense? Some actually do -- but many others don't. Millennium Fever Poses Challenges for Employers (1/25/99) The coming millennium brings with it a host of unusual new stresses in the workplace, driven by varied visions of apocalypse. Kosovo 'Massacre' Prompts Talk of Air Strikes (1/25/99) Discovery of an apparent massacre of civilians in the town of Racek in Kosovo aroused worldwide outrage and talk of NATO strikes against Belgrade. Euro: Symbol of New Europe Could Rival Dollar (1/10/99) Eleven nations of the European Union welcomed the arrival of their new common currency, the euro, on January 1, 1999 amid hopes it would soon rival the dollar in economic power. Famine Pushes North Koreans to Cannibalism (1/10/99) Widespread famine has driven some in North Korea to cannibalism, others to sell themselves or their children. Millennium Cults Grow More Bold as 2000 Nears (1/5/99) Around the world, cultists await the end of the world as we know it at the turn of the millennium. Israel on Alert for Millennium Madness (1/5/99) In Israel, 1999 began with the expulsion of an American doomsday cult called Concerned Christians -- and the birthplace of Christianity is bracing for more extremist activity as the Millennium nears. Israel Orders 11 U.S. Doomsday Suspects Out (1/4/99) Eleven members of a fanatical religious cult from the United States were ordered to leave Israel after authorities determined that the cultists might commit acts of violence at the end of 1999. The Taliban's War on Women (01/01/99) Since 1996, the fundamentalist Islamic Taliban regime in Afghanistan has imposed cruel constraints upon Afghan women, likened by some human rights activists to the Nazi treatment of Jews in pre-holocaust Poland. Israel Bans Genetic Cloning (12/30/98) Israel's parliament has passed legislation that bans cloning humans for the next five years. World Population Still Growing Fast (12/30/98) The U.S. Population Institute says Earth's human population increased by 78 million in 1998; and 97% of the increase occurred in poor nations. U.N. Says 1999 Will Be Hungry Year (12/30/98) A U.N. study says more people will go hungry in 1999 due to major natural and man-made disasters that occurred in 1998. 1998 a Disaster For Insurers, Leading Firms Say (12/29/98) 1998 was a year of exceptional natural disasters and the second highest total damages on records, more than triple those of 1997. Searching For God in Cyberspace (12/22/98) Call them info-mystics: cutting-edge religious scholars and theologians say the Internet has the potential to be redemptive, carrying humankind to higher levels of consciousness. Armed Conflict in Many Nations as New Year Begins (12/05/98) 1998 saw armed conflict in some 60 nations, and many conflicts were in progress as 1999 began. Report Says People To Blame For Global Warming (11/26/98) Rising sea water temperature due to global warming threatens to destroy the majority of coral reefs on earth, with potentially huge ecological and economic consequences. The Global Economy: In the Eye of the Millennium (9/15/98) A new survival economy is beginning to replace the consumer economy as the collapse of the global economy and its financial underpinnings spreads from Asia to Russia, South America and now North America and Europe. China's Communist Party Attracts Youth (9/06/98) A new survival economy is beginning to replace the consumer economy as the collapse of the global economy and its financial underpinnings spreads from Asia to Russia, South America and now North America and Europe. China's Water Crisis Could Threaten Global Security (7/12/98) China faces an impending water shortage that could undermine its food production, boost world grain prices and precipitate political instability in many developing countries. SciTech Pig Intestine Has Amazing Medical Properties (2/25/00) Recent research shows that tissue taken from the small intestine of pigs has remarkable healing and restorative effects in a wide variety of medical applications. How it works is still not understood. Meeting You Halfway -- The Continuing Saga of Electric and Hybrid Cars (2/10/00) Hybrid cars, combining electric motors and internal combustion engines, may be the only way to wean the auto-loving public away from gas-guzzling machines -- at least if Detroit and Big Oil have anything to say about it. Japan's 'Consumer Robot' a Sign of Things to Come (1/25/00) A Japaneses firm has announced the advent of the world's first consumer robot designed to perform simple household tasks. In the near future, such robots will become far more capable. Stem Cells May Allow Regrowth of Liver (5/25/99) New research on bone marrow stem cells suggests that it may become possible to regenerate the liver and other major organs. Scientists Speed Up Evolution to 'Improve on Nature' (5/25/99) Cells that produce useful medicinal substances can be caused to rapidly mutate to maximize their beneficial activity and minimize their unwanted side-effects. Battle Lines Are Being Drawn in War Over GM Foods (5/25/99) The British government reaffirmed support for genetically modified foods, saying the technology can produce better food more economically; but critics strongly disagreed. Diabetes-Causing Gene Identified (5/25/99) Suppressing the activity of a gene called GAD could prevent the destruction of insulin-producing cells that causes dangerous type I diabetes. What's Behind the War Against Cold Fusion? (5/25/99) Several leading researchers are showing that cold fusion works. But funding is hard to get and official resistance is high. The economic stakes are even higher. Gene Found That Activates Illness-Causing Bacteria (5/10/99) Altering certain genes in disease-causing bacteria offers a promising new approach to fighting infectious disease. Virgin Airways, Daimler Benz Eye Space Tourism (5/10/99) Several major European companies have lately announced plans to invest in space tourism. Potential Diabetes Breakthrough From Jungle Fungus (5/10/99) A substance derived from an African fungus may provide an effective oral alternative to insulin injections for sufferers of type I diabetes. Huge Jump in Internet Use by 2000, Experts Say (4/25/99) The number of internet uses has approximately doubled every year for the last 11 years and could reach 300 million by the end of 2000, some experts predict. Study Says Hackers Threaten U.S. Military (4/25/99) A Pentagon study says hi-tech hackers could outpace official efforts to protect vital military information systems. New Research Promises Bone, Muscle Replacement (4/10/99) New research shows that stem cells from adult bone marrow can be directed to grow into new bone and muscle tissue that can replace similar tissue lost to disease or accident. Race to Clone Humans Now Underway in Earnest (4/1/99) Dr, Richard Seed, who says he intends to clone his wife, announced at a London conference on March 30, 1999 that he expects the first human clone to be created within two years. 'Peach Essence' Might Replace Dangerous Pesticide (3/25/99) A natural substance found in peaches might successfully replace the dangerous substance methyl bromide as an effective agricultural pesticide. Nuclear Disposal Site to Open for Business (3/25/99) A U.S. federal judge cleared the way on March 22, 1999 for the first shipments of nuclear waste to be delivered to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. Fuel Cells Could Power Your Car by 2004 (3/25/99) In March, 1999, DaimlerChrysler unveiled their newest prototype car powered by a fuel cell, a vehicle that looks and performs like a standard compact car. Suds May Be Antidote for Chemical and Bio-Weapons (3/16/99) A sudsy foam made from common ingredients by scientists at Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico may provide an antidote to many chemical and biological toxins. Hilton Backs Space Hotel Built From Shuttle Tanks (3/15/99) The hotel group Hilton International is to become the first sponsor of a privately funded plan to build a space station, constructed from used Space Shuttle fuel tanks. Warning on Bio-Engineered Potatoes Gains Support (3/10/99) Numerous scientists came to the defense of researcher Arpad Pusztai after he was fired for announcing that genetically altered potatoes caused stunted growth, weight loss and suppressed immune systems in rats. Rollout of Contender for First Civilian Spaceship (3/1/99) The Rotary Rocket Company on March 1, 1999, rolled out the first flying prototype of their Rotary Rocket, a contender to become the first civilian spacecraft to launch tourists into space. Danish Physicist Slows Down Speed of Light (2/25/99) An experiment by Danish physicist Dr. Lene Vestergaard Hau has reportedly slowed down light to a speed of 38 miles per hour. The technique may have numerous technological applications. Artificial Muscles Are Key to Robots of the Future (2/25/99) New artificial muscles made of plastic that bends and contracts somewhat like biological muscle tissue could give future robots enormous dexterity, and also help paralyzed humans regain mobility. U.S. Air Force Lays Plans for Space Dominance (2/10/99) An Air Force study called AF 2025 describes high-tech plans designed to assure U.S. dominance in an era of space-based commerce, terrorism and war. Huge NSA Encryption Scam Claimed (2/10/99) The Swiss firm Crypto AG reportedly designed their widely used encryption devices so that the NSA could decode secrets from many countries. Mexico City Fights Smog by Electrifying Air (2/10/99) A new experiment in Mexico City is attempting to control rampant air pollution by injecting electricity into the air. Did South Korean Doctors Clone Human Embryo? (2/10/99) Researchers in South Korea claimed in December, 1998 that they had cloned a human embryo, but other researchers disputed the claim. Wind-up Radios Could Be Boon in Developing World (2/10/99) Radios that run on a wind-up electric generator are all the rage with Western survivalists but might prove most useful in developing countries. Author Says Cold Fusion is Proven Technology (2/10/99) According to author Antony Sutton, several varieties of cold fusion technology are already working in labs around the world. 'Terminator' Seed and the Future of Farming (2/10/99) New technology that genetically disables plants' ability to produce viable seeds could disadvantage many farmers and harm the natural gene pool, critics say. Stem Cells: Hope and Controversy on the Bio-Tech Frontier (1/25/99) New research on stem cells might lead to cures for diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and to growing replacement organs from a patient's own tissue. DNA Machine Marks Big Jump for Nanotechnology (1/25/99) Scientists at New York University announced the creation of a tiny moving 'elbow' created out of DNA. Renewable Energy Generation Increasing Rapidly (1/25/99) Wind and solar power generating capacity is increasing very rapidly in many parts of the world, but it is still a tiny fraction of total energy capacity. Is an 'Immortality Drug' Coming Soon? (1/10/99) New scientific studies said the enzyme telomerase might slow the aging process in cells and might also provide the basis for a broad-spectrum cancer cure. First Pieces of Space Station Launched, Joined (12/15/98) Two pieces of the new International Space Station, one Russian and the other American, have been successfully launched and joined together in orbit. Entrepreneur Plans Next-Generation Net for Whole World (12/05/98) Neil Tagare, president of New Jersey-based CRT Group, says he'll build a new high-speed fiber optic network that links the whole world and brings underdeveloped countries into the global marketplace. Cloning Humans to Be Undertaken In Japan (12/01/98) Chicago-based physicist Richard Seed says he will participate in a Japan-based project that he hopes will eventually make human cloning possible. NASA Plans New Spacecraft for Mars Sample Return (11/22/98) NASA is developing a miniature Mars ascent vehicle, or mini-MAV, as part of an ambitious but modestly-budgeted program to return samples from Mars. NASA Plans For Mars Sample Return, Robotic Colonies (11/13/98) NASA and international partners have launched a plan to return samples from Mars by 2008 and establish a robotic colony on Mars by 2010. Scientists to Grow a Human Heart (11/11/98) Scientists from Britain, America, Canada and Switzerland say advances in the past five years have made possible the growth of living human organs in a laboratory, and they are planning to grow the first human heart outside the body. New Technique Regrows Man's Lost Thumb (11/1/98) Doctors at the University of Massachusetts have succeeded in regrowing the thumb of a man whose original thumb was irreparably crushed in an accident. NASA: New Hypersonic Propulsion Engine (9/4/98) An experiment scramjet engine is being tested for NASA's Hyper-X program, aimed at creating air-breathing aircraft that can fly to the edge of space at Mach 10. Cybernetics Prof Implants Chip in His Own Body (8/25/98) Professor Kevin Warwick claimed on Aug 25, 1998 to have become the first human to have a computer chip surgically implanted into his body. NASA: Some Space Samples May Pose Risk to Earth (7/15/98) A report of the National Academy of Sciences in July, 1998, said that samples that might be returned to Earth from Mars and other space destinations during the coming decade may pose risks to Earth-life and therefore should require special handling. NASA Steps Up Efforts to Track Asteroids (7/14/98) In July, 1998, NASA announced its new Near-Earth Object Program Office, which will coordinate efforts to locate asteroids and comets that could potentially threaten the Earth. Planet Amphibian Deaths: Environment's 'Canary in a Coal Mine' (2/25/00) Amphibians are dying all over the world, taking many species to extinction. So far, no one really knows why. New Data Points to Reality of Climate Change (1/25/00) Recent studies of atmospheric surface temperatures and ocean temperatures support the claim that global warming is occurring and will probably bring major climate changes in coming years. Humankind's Grave Impacts on the Natural World (8/10/99) Human activity has altered almost 50 percent of the Earth's total land area and now threatens to cause the greatest extinction of species seen in the last 65 million years. Experts Say Global Warming More Than Predicted (7/10/99) A new study released by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change foresees greater global warming than previously predicted, along with greater extremes of weather and faster sea level rise. Red Cross Sees Increasing Likelihood of Natural Disasters (6/25/99) In a June 1999 report, the International Red Cross warned of a coming era of 'super-disasters' with more 'environmental refugees,' higher insurance losses and declining ability of relief efforts to meet the challenge. Trees Grow Faster With More Carbon Dioxide (5/25/99) If atmospheric CO2 increases as expected, trees will absorb more of the greenhouse gas and grow faster. But that can't prevent global warming, scientists say. Forecasters See Severe Hurricane Season Ahead (5/25/99) Meteorologists say the La Nina cold water condition in the Pacific is likely to produce higher than average hurricane activity in the Atlantic and Caribbean this year. Much Deforestation Driven By Population, Poverty (5/25/99) Marginalized by the spread of commercial farming and ranching enterprises, subsistance farmers are forced to destroy large amounts of tropical forest for new farmland. La Nina Probably Contributed to Huge Tornadoes (5/10/99) Cooler than normal ocean temperatures in the mid-Pacific, called La Nina, have caused many bizarre weather effects in North America, including record snow and monster tornadoes. Greenhouse Effect May Boost Frequency of El Nino (4/25/99) Global warming could lead to more frequent and violent El Nino weather patterns, according to a new study. European Rain Full of Deadly Pesticides (4/10/99) Rain in some parts of Europe contains so much deadly pesticide residue that it would be illegal to distribute it as drinking water. Global Warming Seen as Cause of Antarctic Melting (4/10/99) New research shows that two large Antarctic ice shelves lost a combined total of nearly 1,100 square miles of ice in 1998, apparently due to global warming. Amazon Destruction More Rapid Than Expected (4/10/99) Destruction of the Amazon rainforest is occurring two to three times more rapidly than previously estimated. Conservatively, 16 percent of the original forest is already gone. Water Shortages Will Bring Strife in New Millennium (3/25/99) Limited water supplies will be a major source of international tension in coming years. In March, 1999, Israel and Jordan almost came to blows over water; more trouble lies ahead. Cambodia Fights Illegal Logging as Forests Shrink (3/25/99) Cambodia's tropical forests are being devastated by a mostly illegal logging trade, abetted by corrupt politicians and military officers. La Nina, Like El Nino, Brings Bizarre Weather (3/10/99) La Nina, a cooling trend in the mid-Pacific, caused weather to be very strange in much of the world during the winter of 1998-99. NASA: Greenland's Glaciers Are Shrinking (3/10/99) A new study suggests that rapid thinning and excess run-off from Greenland's southeastern glaciers may be partly caused by climate changes. New Theory Says Oil Reserves Bigger Than Expected -- And E.T. Might Live Underground (2/10/99) Cornell University Professor Thomas Gold says oil is purely geological, not biological, in origin; and life probably started underground, so look there for ET. Antarctic Summit on Fishing, Environment, Tourism (1/25/99) Delegates from 24 nations met for the first time ever at Antarctica in January, 1999 to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the ice continent. 1998 Was the Hottest Year on Record (1/25/99) NASA and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) both released data showing that 1998 was the hottest year on record, by a surprisingly large margin. Tiny Mineral Test-Tubes: The Cradle of Life? (12/21/98) Reseach conducted at the Universities of Edinburgh and Chicago reveals that the first life on Earth may have formed in tiny pores on the surface of underwater rocks. Evidence of Ancient Asteroid Found (12/10/98) Evidence suggests an asteroid hit Argentina 3.3 million years ago, causing regional extinctions and climate change. Global Warming This Century Called Unprecedented (12/8/98) A scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on Dec 7, 1998, that global warming in this centruy is greater than at any time in the last 1,200 years, and human activity is partly to blame. European Union to Phase Out Ozone Destroying Chemicals (12/8/98) European Union environment ministers agreed on Dec 21, 1998 to phase out the production and use of chemicals which destroy the earth's protective ozone layer and crack down on illegal trade in these substances. Scientist Hints at Silicon-Based Life Underground (12/05/98) Dr. Tom Gold, emeritus professor of astronomy at Cornell University, says there's a good chance silicon-based life lives in solid rock deep under the earth. New Iceberg Is Bigger Than Delaware (12/05/98) The biggest iceberg seen since 1987 broke away from Antarctica in October, 1998, but most of the Antarctic ice sheet seems stable, scientists said. Global Warming Devastates World's Coral Reefs (11/26/98) Rising sea water temperature due to global warming threatens to destroy the majority of coral reefs on earth, with potentially huge ecological and economic consequences. Ozone Hole Over Antarctic Grows (9/29/98) Scientists said the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica was bigger in 1998 than ever before. Study: Ozone Depletion May Slow (8/19/98) The rate of increase of the ozone-destroying chemical CFC-12 in the upper atmosphere is slowing, German scientists report, suggesting that the Montreal Protocols are beginning to have an effect. Cosmos Means to Detect Distant E.T. Life May Come by 2010 (5/25/99) Scientists are optimistic that a new space-based telescope called the Terrestrial Planet Finder could identify extra-solar planets suitable for life within ten years. Ideal Moon Bases Identified At South Pole (5/10/99) Plenty of sun and the likelihood of water make the moon's south pole a promising spot for human activity. New Evidence Supports Claims of Life on Mars (4/1/99) Several unrelated discoveries announced in mid-March, 1999 seemed to lend further support to the claim that bacteria-like organisms may have once lived on Mars. More Evidence Supporting Ocean on Europa (4/1/99) Several new studies of data from the Galileo spacecraft suppport the notion that Jupiter's moon Europa has a liquid salt-water ocean, probably below several miles of ice and slush. Solar Storms May Add to Y2K Threat (3/25/99) An unusually strong peak in the 11-year sunspot cycle could coincide with Y2K in early January, 2000, adding an extra measure of technological trouble. Quantum Entanglement Could Have Huge Real-World Impacts (3/25/99) New discoveries regarding quantum entanglement could revolutionize long distance communication and may have numerous other implications as well. First Interstellar Space Mission Now Under Study (3/25/99) Scientists are working on a plan to launch the world's first interstellar space mission, an unmanned nuclear powered rocket that would carry a space telescope well beyond the edge of our solar system. Leading Cosmologist Says Universe is Immortal (3/1/99) Cosmologist Andrei Linde says the Big Bang theory is all wrong. Instead, he says, the known universe 'bubbled off' from a previous universe and will in turn 'bubble off' other universes in a sequence that lasts literally forever. Survey: Most U.S. Scientists Don't Believe in God (2/25/99) A survey in mid-1998 found that 93% of U.S. scientists do not profess belief in God, and 92.1 percent do not profess belief in immortality. Newly Discovered Exo-Planet Could Be Smallest Yet (2/16/99) An extra-solar planet recently discovered about 70 light years from Earth might be about the size of Saturn, which would make it the smallest such planet yet found. Low Gravity of Mars May Alter Plants, Animals (2/1/99) Once Mars is settled, the much lower gravity of the Red Planet might profoundly alter many features of transplanted Earth life, including humans. If E.T. Hasn't Visited Yet, Here's a Reason Why (2/1/99) Astrophysicist James Annis has proposed that giant gamma ray bursts periodically wipe out most life in the galaxy, meaning that intelligent E.T.s might not have time to evolve to the spacefaring stage. Galaxy Just Coming of Age, Leading Space Theorist Says (12/10/98) Space theorist Mario Livio, in a paper to be published in the Astrophysical Journal, says intelligent life and civilization may be just starting to emerge in many parts of the galaxy at this time. New Planet Discovered Around Nearby Star (12/05/98) Swiss scientists working at a Chilean observatory announced on November 24, 1998 the discovery of a Jupiter-like planet orbiting a star called Gliese 86. Built by Frontier on a Macintosh on 6/17/00; 12:54:48 PM. 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