In North America, eagle numbers have risen from a few hundred in 1963 to well over 10,000 at present. A court-approved agreement has been reached that allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delay de-listing until June 26, 2007.

That provides ample time for public consultation, and to develop initiatives aimed to make sure eagles continue to thrive once de-listed.

The U.S. decision has no official impact in Canada, where eagles are protected mainly under provincial wildlife laws.

But. the U.S. decision-making process with regard to bald eagles is mired in controversy.

The Center for Biological Diversity claims that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has intentionally "suppressed" vital scientific advice on eagle protection, overruling eagle experts, some of whom urge continued protection in some areas.

A new fabric for clothing might soon be on the market, made from rice stems. According to researchers, fibres from rice straw are ideal for garments. At present, some 560 million tons of rice stems are left in paddies and in fields to rot each year.

According to Yiqi Yang, of the University of Nebraska, a simple cellulose extraction process can remove lignin and hemicellulose from rice stems. The resulting rice straw yarn is much like linen, not quite as soft as cotton.

Researchers predict that rice stems could generate about 80 million tons of yarn each year.

That volume of rice yarn could reduce the global need for polyester and nylon.

Great care should be taken in handling deer, or in coming into contact with deer, now that researchers have confirmed that Chronic Wasting Disease can be spread in deer saliva. According to Edward Hoover, at Colorado State University, that means CWD can be contracted merely by occupying an area where sick deer have been.

"CWD can be spread among deer through mere social contact, by licking or touching noses," he said.

Up until now, it had been believed that CWD could only be transmitted through the blood or brain tissue of infected animals, mostly deer, elk and moose.

CWD is a 'prion' disease. Up until now, it had been assumed that people do not contract it from animals. But, recent data shows that CWD prions, if contracted by people, can cause Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which can trigger dementia or other brain disorders. Researchers recommend that steps be taken to avoid the artificial herding of deer, because CWD is more easily spread among deer in groups. "These findings lend tremendous credibility to regulations that restrict deer baiting and feeding of deer," said Bryan Richards of the National Wildlife Health Center in Wisconsin.