Microsoft gains double-clicking patent

The patent covers using different click patterns to launch alternative applications - it is "beyond parody", say some observers

Electric land speed record attempt all set

A needle-shaped vehicle, powered by 52 ordinary car batteries, aims to beat the 245 mph record in Tunisia on Wednesday

Life goes on without 'vital' DNA

Deleting huge chunks of the mouse genome makes no discernable difference to the animals - researchers are astonished

7-million digit prime number discovered

The prime is the largest yet found, and was revealed by a mathematics enthusiast using his desktop computer

Genetically-modified virus explodes cancer cells

The GM virus selectively sweeps through cancer cells and kills them, while leaving normal tissue unharmed

'Smart bullet' reports back wirelessly

The projectile can be fired at a target and then transmit information collected by a tiny inbuilt sensor

Risk of radioactive "dirty bomb" growing

Such an attack looks increasingly likely, as the world struggles to control the trafficking of raw materials for such a weapon

Date set for first private spaceflight

The first independent attempt to rocket a civilian into space will take place in the Californian desert on 21 June