Venture capital funding rose for the first time in four years in 2004, aided by growing economic optimism, specifically in technology and health care, according to research to be released today.

Most American companies have enjoyed several years of bumper profits. But, as the results season gets under way, some big firms are reporting that times are getting tougher.

A pregnant Russian woman went into labour in the middle of a parachute jump.

Adam Penenberg: I detest the word “blog.” It sounds like the noise a bulimic makes after a hearty meal.
Unfortunately, this faux onomatopoeia has done more to undermine blogs, blogging and the so-called blogosphere than a thousand maladroit Columbia Journalism Review articles.

Can a drink a day prevent mental decline? The finding that older women who consume moderate amounts of alcohol score better on cognitive tests suggests that it can.

Sony launched the market for robotic dogs in 1999 when it unleashed Aibo. But there’s new competition from rival Sega Toys.

Readers of Yan Sham-Shackleton’s blog know her as “gluttergirl.” But until a week ago, her regular readers in China couldn’t access her blog. The Chinese government had banned it for more than a year. Her pro-democracy writings might have had something to do with this.

Scientists who recently returned from a deep-ocean expedition said they are a step closer to understanding how life thrives around cracks spewing scalding water at the bottom of the ocean.

Could the new weapon in the battle of the bulge be a nasal spray? Scientists are looking into a spray containing a naturally-occurring hormone, PYY3-36, which may tell the brain that the belly is full.