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The Czech Republic's butterflies have gone down a tough road. Scientists say about half of their species are endangered and 18 species have gone extinct over the past century. The work of the leading butterfly researcher at the Institute of Entomology in South Bohemia has shown looming trouble for some butterflies but also signs of hope in an unlikely place.

In today's Czech Science, we spoke to one of many Czech scientists who turn to the arts in their spare time, but never really stray far from their microscopes. Jaromir Plasek's photographs are extreme close-ups of very small things.

Passers-by would never guess what lies inside this inconspicuous two-storey building in a quiet north Prague suburb. The simple concrete construction houses one of the largest lasers in Europe. In fact, it is the most powerful radiation source ever developed in laboratory conditions. Its output amounts to four times all the street lights in Prague shining out from the tip of a needle. As part of an EU programme, the unique centre invites researchers from across Europe to come here and carry out their projects.

A new anti-HIV drug has recently been approved in the United States. One of its two components was developed by Czech scientists, who - as well as the other inventors - have agreed to give up their royalty rights on sales in parts of the world where HIV/AIDS has hit hardest.

Are you a young Central European scientist who'd like to start a project but are clueless as to where to look for funding? Or maybe you are a woman scientist who's looking for a research partner? To answer those and many other needs, a new Central European centre, funded by the European Commission, has just been set up, aiming to promote women and young people in science.

The last man to walk on the surface of the Moon, the American astronaut of Czech descent, Eugene Cernan, is going to visit the Czech Republic this month.

The government is working on a bill on the scientific and therapeutic use of human embryos and stem cells: that is blank cells that can develop into virtually any kind of cell in the human body. If parliament approves the bill, stem cells extracted from embryos left over from fertility treatment, that would otherwise be discarded, could be used for scientific experiments and the treatment of such diseases as diabetes, Parkinson's disease or heart attacks. The parents of those embryos would have to give their consent. The proposed bill will not

The Czech Astronomical Society has given a lifetime achievement award to astronomer Zdenek Ceplecha from the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Monday, September 13th was a beautiful sunny day here in Prague, and that was rather apt, as it was Czech Solar Day. Its aim was to draw the public's attention to the potential of solar power.

Nanofibres - remember that word well because you might be hearing it more and more often in the future, and maybe partly thanks to Czech scientists.