Truly nano approach to science

Predictably, a hefty proportion of delegates at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Washington last week were male and middle-aged and were sporting a glamorous array of beards. But it was heartening to see one female scientist marching between lectures with a new baby strapped to her chest.

Either Americans are tackling the big gender issues affecting science globally, or they are taking the mission of "getting them young" very seriously - with attending lectures on dark energy and nanotechnology kicking off at six months.