Science Headlines

Hovering on extinction's edge, West Africa's last giraffes make a surprising comebackKOURE, Niger (AP) -- A crisp African dawn is breaking overhead, and Zibo Mounkaila is on the back of a pickup truck bounding across a sparse landscape of rocky orange soil....Seattle team wins $900,000 in NASA-backed 'space elevator' competition in Mojave DesertLOS ANGELES (AP) -- A Seattle team has collected a $900,000 prize in a NASA-backed competition to develop the concept of an elevator to space - an idea spurred by science fiction novels....Precious fungi specimens smuggled out of China as World War II began are returnedBEIJING (AP) -- A Chinese scholar persecuted during the Cultural Revolution for smuggling a rare collection of mushrooms out of China before World War II was honored Saturday when the collection was returned more than 70 years later....

Health Headlines

Health care bill clears House by narrow margin; legislation now moves to the SenateWASHINGTON (AP) -- In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. Republican opposition was nearly unanimous....Tiny Alaska island village struck by suspected swine flu isolated without regular flightsANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Suspected swine flu is sweeping a traditional Eskimo whaling village on a remote Alaska island - prompting an urgent medical mission to deliver help....No long lines, no cries of injustice; Europe has more orderly approach to swine flu shotsLONDON (AP) -- In Britain, there are no long lines of people seeking swine flu vaccine. Doctor's offices aren't swamped with desperate calls. And there are no cries of injustice that the vaccine is going to wealthy corporations or healthy people who don't really need it....