| Scientists: We've cracked wheat's genetic code By RAPHAEL G. SATTER 2010-08-27T16:13:36ZLONDON (AP) -- British scientists have decoded the genetic sequence of wheat - one of the world's oldest and most important crops - a development they hope could help the global staple meet the challenges of climate change, disease and population growth.... hosted.ap.org |
Royal Institution appoints Sir Richard Sykes as its new chairman Sir Richard will be responsible for shoring up the Royal Institution's finances, which were left in disarray by the global recession and a costly refurbishmentThe financially troubled Royal Institution of Great Britain has appointed a new chairman to oversee its fundraising and strategic development work.Sir Richard Sykes, a former chairman of the pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline and rector of Imperial College, received unanimous backing from trustees after being nominated for the job on Monday.Sir Richard, who is currently chairman of the UK Stem Cell Foundation, will take on the challenge of shoring up the institution's finances, which have been left in a parlous state by the global economic downturn and an ambitious refurbishment of the institution's London premises.He takes over from Adrian de Ferranti, who was chairman of the board of trustees when Baroness Susan Greenfield was made redundant as the institution's director in January.A spokesman for the Royal Institution said Sir Richard was unavailable to comment on the appointment, but issued a statement saying that he was "delighted to become chairman at such an important juncture in the history of the Royal Institution"."This is a crucial era for science in society and our role as home for the promotion of science is a critical one," the statement went on.The latest accounts filed to the Charity Commission in July show the Royal Institution is more than £2m in debt. It is the oldest independent research body in the world and is famed as the former workplace of Sir Humphry Davy and Michael Faraday.Sir Paul Nurse, the incoming president of the Royal Society, said: "This appointment will give strong leadership and much needed stability to the Royal Institution. I wish him and the institution well."People in scienceSusan GreenfieldIan Sampleguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
A Finding on Malaria Comes From Humble Origins Dr. Beatrice H. Hahn, who has built the world’s most comprehensive treasury of great ape fecal samples, has found the beginnings of the falciparum strain of malaria and taken the blame off chimps. feeds.nytimes.com |
Vital Signs: Safety: Scrutiny for Hair-Straightening Treatment Tests by Oregon’s occupational health agency found significant levels of formaldehyde in a smoothing solution made by the beauty company Brazilian Blowout. feeds.nytimes.com |
Devil project wins vital funds A groundbreaking research project to save the Tasmanian devil is one of hundreds of projects that will share in $376 million worth of Federal Government funding. abc.net.au |