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Presents a list of legendary antiquities sought by treasure hunters. Geographical locations connected to the legends; Antiquities, including the gold of Jesse James, the Holy Grail, Noah's Ark and others; Theories for the resting places of these treasures.

Reports on the controversial ballot used in Palm Beach County, Florida during the contested U.S. presidential election. Subjectivity of the ballot to scientific scrutiny; Publication of the issue in the journal 'Nature'; Perceptions of the students and shoppers on the butterfly ballot; Impact of the study conducted by scientists on the ongoing court case over the ballot.

DNA has the ability to store the very blueprint of life. A report in the 'Nature,' describes how strands of DNA can be programmed to cyclically open and close, creating a minuscule device that can do mechanical work. DNA has been recruited for new tasks at the molecular level. Some researchers have manipulated DNA strands to carry out computations. DNA can also help build a whole new generation of components, such as integrated circuits and switches.

Cites a study by Bernard Yurke of Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs related to DNA strands that can be programmed to cyclically open and close. Mechanism of the DNA strands; Benefits of controlling DNA tweezers individually.

Focuses on a group of researchers' creation of a semiconductor that can switch from being magnetic to nonmagnetic and back. Reliance on the voltage applied to it; Major advance for materials science; Enhancement of semiconductors' ability to store and manipulate information.

Focuses on a successful online contest created by neuroscientists, Carlos Brody and John Hopfield. Goal of deciphering the workings of a simulated set of neurons; Method for stimulating the curiosity of researchers from a whole host of fields; Profile of winning team led by David MacKay; Enhancement of neuroscientists' ability to analyze experimental data.

Focuses on scientists' discovery of a series of hydrothermal vents on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Minerals inside the vents; Absence of marine life on the columns.

Features the winners of the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition in Washington, D.C. Recognition given to the study on astrophysics and nanoscale conductance in metals conducted by high school students; Provision of scholarship grants to the high school students; Criteria used by judges in selecting the contest winner.

Reports the worldwide statistics on HIV infections. Impact of AIDS prevention program on the slight decrease of HIV infections; Increase of infections among intravenous drug users; Details on the explosion of AIDS as predicted by World Health Organization; Comparison between AIDS infection the United States and in Asia.

Examines the eye reflexes of cricket batters. Shift of gaze from the ball to the ground; Relationship between speed of eye movement with batting skill; Requirement for ace batting.

Reports the retraction of asteroid collision threat on Earth by scientists in Tucson, Arizona. Calculations of asteroid path; Diameter of the asteroid; Guidelines from the International Astronomical Union; Rocket booster possibility of the asteroid.

Announces the possibility of an asteroid collision with Earth by scientists in Pasadena, California. Impact of the collision on Earth; Diameter of the asteroid; Comparison of released energy between the asteroid collision and the Hiroshima bomb; Attempt of scientists to track the asteroid.

Presents a study on hereditary deafness as a result of the intermarriage between deaf persons in Mongolia. Information on the statistical analysis of deafness-causing gene mutations; Impact of intermarriage on the frequency of deafness; Details of the gene causing the deafness.

Examines the effects of ethanol on genes in Boston, Massachusetts. Impact of ethanol on the risk of heart disease; Importance of ADH3 genes for the breakdown of alcohol through oxidation; Benefits of moderate alcohol consumption on heart disease protection.

Reports the risk of tan-skinned individuals for melanoma in Australia. Presence of the recessive gene for red hair; Importance of the research in warning people regarding sun exposure; Reasons for skin burning in people with red hair and light skin; Need to identify risky genes in skin cancer prevention.

Reports the isolation of human prostate cancer gene 2 (HPC2) linked to hereditary prostate cancer in the United States. Increase of risk of prostate cancer due to mutations of the gene; Difficulty of isolating the gene; Hope of developing test for HPC2 mutations.

Examines the behavior of Physarum polycephalum, a one-celled organism, by a group of biologists at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Japan. Experimentation on the ability of the slime to navigate through a maze; Role of protein and nutrients on its ability to communicate and to change shape; Relevance of the study on the behavioral development of slime molds.

Examines the correlation of cloning with aging in mice. Adoption of a process of injecting DNA from an adult cell into an egg; Measurement of telomere lengths in cloned mice; Comparison of the lengths of telomeres in different generations of mice.

Reveals the findings of a group of scientists at the University of Umea in Umea, Sweden on the sexual behavior of flies. Observation of rapid evolution of the reproductive system involved in speciation; Use of male flies of tactics resulting in the female population's inability to mate with another; Possibility of the evolution of other species.

Reports the awarding of the World Food Prize to the corn researchers from Mexico City, Mexico. Superiority of the corn variety developed by the corn researchers over traditional corn breeds; Method employed in the development of the corn; Increase in productivity brought by the corn variety.

Examines the relevance of choline-eating microorganisms in reducing the severity of Fusarium head blight in wheat and barley plants in the United States. Extent of plant damages caused by the fungi; Ability of the fungi to produce deoxynivalenol that shrinks and discolors grains; Advantages of the approach over fungicides and genetically engineering resistance to fungi.