20 years ago

Chinese academics are the target of a new keep-fit campaign because of the number of top scientists who have been dying from preventable illnesses in middle age. Leading the way is the Chinese Academy of Science, in Beijing, which has lost a significant number of key members in recent years ... Middle-aged scientists are to be found practising martial arts, shadow-boxing, dancing, running, swimming or playing basketball. Medical checks have shown that middle-aged academics are more than twice as likely to suffer from chronic diseases as other workers of the same age.

One of the world's most elusive historical artefacts - the remains of a ship under the command of Christopher Columbus - is the target of nautical archaeologists setting out this week from Texas A&M University. The party is on its way to Panama, where one of the explorer's vessels is known to have sunk in 1503 during his ill-fated voyage to the New World.