Spending heavily on medicines does not necessarily result in better health, indicate recent studies.

Pierre Gassendi became the first astronomer to catch a glimpse of Mercury on the basis of a prediction made by German astronomer Johannes Kepler.

Local people dependent for their survival on forests, now part of protected areas, are beginning to organise themselves to fight for their rights to forest produce.

Scientists at the National Chemical Laboratory are working on rice biotechnology in order to develop more nutritious varieties of the cereal.

The main points of the statement of the Population Summit of the World's Scientific Academies:

* With the patents of several important drugs about to expire, even the giant German chemicals manufacturer, Hoechst, is trying to enter the North American generic drugs market by bidding for 51 per

Several organisations, at home and abroad, are promoting organic farming as a method of food production that is both ecologically and socially sustainable.

Dismayed at the state of the forests in tiger reserves, foresters are beginning to realise the need to review the country's conservation strategy.

Recent findings suggest the Akkadian empire, which once flourished on the banks of the Euphrates, collapsed because of a sudden dearth of water.

Eco labelling of timber products is around the corner with the launch of the Forest Stewardship Council, which brings together businesspersons, environmentalists and human rights groups.