Errors of biblical proportions"Lazarus taxa" is an appropriate name for species that seem to have been resurrected ("Back from the Dead?" SN: 11/17/07, p. 312). However, the Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead was a householder who lived with his sisters, Mary and Martha, in Bethany (John 11). The beggar named Lazarus appeared in a parable that Jesus told to his followers (Luke 16).Linda Wicklund Longmont, Colo."Let There Be Aluminum-42: Experiment creates surprise isotope" (SN: 10/27/07, p. 260) indicates that Adam appeared on the fifth day. The actual day of Adam's appearance, according ... (p. 367)

Alliance for Science seeks to unite prominent scientists and other influential opponents of creationism "to educate the public about the different but complementary roles of science and religion; to improve the teaching of science in our public schools; and to restore the excitement about science and discovery." One new enterprise it's sponsoring: an essay contest for high school students on climate and evolution and on agriculture and evolution. The deadline for both contests is Feb. 29, 2008.Go to: http://www.allianceforscience.org

A smashing new particle accelerator comes to the nation's capital, a new subatomic particle reveals its weight, and pollen in a Wisconsin bog tells of past climate change.

Bed nets and insecticidesKenyan researchers report that insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce malaria-related deaths in children ("Keep Out: Treated mosquito nets limit child deaths," SN: 9/29/07, p. 195). While these nets appear to provide preventive measures against malaria, my only concern is the toxicity of the insecticides. The World Health Organization lists two of the insecticides used on the nets, bifenthrin and permethrin, as possible human carcinogens. Deltamethrin and cyfluhrin can have harmful effects on the nervous and endocrine systems. Is it ethical to prevent one disease now,... (p. 351)

An American Nobel laureate in physics, the need for research in the chemistry of petroleum, and a new way to send photographs by telegraph.

Blame where it's dueAlthough multinational agreements on global warming try to spread the burden among all nations, data from the MILAGRO project in Mexico City ("What Goes Up," SN: 9/8/07, p. 152) suggest that the major responsibility for excess production of greenhouse gases and other pollutants lies with the megacities, which constitute a rather small number of culprits and ones that not all nations possess. Perhaps global, and indeed national, initiatives to control air pollution should focus on compelling these megacities to curb their waste.James M. Bryant Riverside, Calif.Less would mea... (p. 335)

Reconstructions of European dwellings from 2 and 4 millennia ago, an asteroid traveling at record-breaking speed, and a headlight that tilts as the car goes up or down a hill.

Unequal opportunity"The Wealth of Nations" (SN: 9/1/07, p. 138) describes the difficulty of moving from exporting one product to exporting another in terms of a "distance" between various products. I would imagine, however, that a nation that already manufactures computers, for example, could easily move into calculators, but that the reverse might not be true. Did the researchers consider the directionality of their links?Jesse Ziser Austin, TexasCesar Hidalgo of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana says that although the model described in the story didn't have directional links, he and h... (p. 319)