3-Jul-2008
Parks can help the people they keep out
Creating nature preserves, where elephants, gorillas and other endangered animals and plants can live without being killed or disturbed by humans, is probably our best bet for keeping these species alive. But, what happens to the people who lived on or used the land before it was turned into a preserve? Some people worry that creating parks or preserves is basically saying that wildlife is important than people.

Contact: Science Press Package
scipak@aaas.org
202-326-6440
American Association for the Advancement of Science

3-Jul-2008
8 teams taking up ESA's Lunar Robotics Challenge
As interest in exploration of the moon soars among the world's space agencies, ESA, through its general studies program, has challenged university students to develop a robotic vehicle that is capable of working in difficult terrain, comparable to that found at the lunar poles. Eight university teams have been selected to proceed to the design stage of ESA's Lunar Robotics Challenge.

Contact: Gianfranco Visentin
gianfranco.visentin@esa.int
31-715-654-835
European Space Agency

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Public Release: 2-Jul-2008
Man vs. machine poker rematch
Polaris, the University of Alberta poker playing computer program, is heading to Las Vegas for a rematch against humans.

Contact: Michael Bowling
bowling@cs.ualberta.ca
780-492-1766
University of Alberta

Public Release: 1-Jul-2008
Book's plea: Save the bonobos
A biologist at Washington University in St. Louis is the mastermind behind a project that has led to an informative book, aimed at children but appealing to all, on an endangered species of ape. Ursula Goodenough, Ph.D., professor of biology, is the driving force behind "I'm Lucy, A Day in the Life of a Young Bonobo," written by Mathea Levine, Goodenough's daughter, and featuring the photographs of Marian Brickner. Jane Goodall writes the afterword.

Contact: Tony Fitzpatrick
tony_fitzpatrick@wustl.edu
314-935-5272
Washington University in St. Louis

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