By Véronique Morin

The World Federation of Science journalists elected a new board during its General Assembly held during the World Conference of Science Journalists in London.  Nadia El-Awady was acclaimed president, following tradition that a science journalist representing the host country of the next WCSJ, becomes president of the federation.

Three papers in Nature* this week provide new insights into genetic variation and schizophrenia risk. Using combined data from three large cohorts, the papers jointly reveal significant associations to individual loci that implicate immunity, cognition and brain development. Additionally, one of the papers provides genetic evidence for a substantial polygenic component to risk of schizophrenia that also contributes to risk of bipolar disorder.

London, 30 June 2009 A British Council survey into awareness of Charles Darwin and attitudes towards evolution has found that there is a broad international consensus of acceptance towards his theory of evolution.

The next World Conference of Science journalists will be held in Cairo, Egypt, following a successful bid by Arab and American science journalism associations. The winners of the 2011 event - the Arab Science Journalists Association and the U.S.-based National Association of Science Writers – will bring the prestigious bi-annual conference to Cairo for the first time.

In modern agricultural politics, organic farming and genetic engineering occupy opposite ends of the spectrum. In the Ronald-Adamchak household, the world is not so black and white. Ronald is a professor of plant pathology at the University of California, Davis. Adamchak manages the student-run organic farm on campus. Together, in their book "Tomorrow's Table: Organic farming, Genetics and the Future of Food", they explore the juncture where their methods can (and they argue, should) meet to ensure environmentally sustainable food production.

12.30pm-1.30pm 30 June 2009
Central Hall, Westminster, World Congress of Science Journalists

23 June, 2009, London: Results from a global survey looking at attitudes to evolution around the world will be announced at a press conference at the World Congress of Science Journalists at 12.30 on 30 June 2009. The survey will include data from 10 countries and includes all regions of the world. Presenting the global results will be Fern Elsdon-Baker, Head of Darwin Now, the British Council’s contribution to the global celebrations around the anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the publication of Origin of the Species. Joining Fern on the panel to discuss the results will be recognised figures and experts in the fields of science and education.

Al Gore and former UK Government Chief Scientist Sir David King will be amongst high profile speakers at The Times/Smith School World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment, in Oxford from 5-7 July 2009.

More than 200 politicians, business leaders and academics are expected to attend the event with the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, Indian Science Minister Shri Kapil Sibal, former BP Chief Executive Lord Browne and ex-London Mayor Ken Livingstone also addressing the conference.