Too busy to keep track of all the science news during the week? Don’t fear Synapse is here. Check out this week's news.
Superstorm Sandy - Hurricane devastates Eastern USA leaving over 90 people dead, some 4.6 million homes and businesses without power and a clean-up bill of $50billion. Read more.
Bananas to replace potatoes as staple food following global warming? - Researchers from the CGIAR agricultural partnership claim that climate change could lead to crops from the banana family becoming a critical food source in some developing countries. Find out more.
Curious soil - Curiosity rover finds soil similar to Hawaii's on Mars. The soil is made of weathered "basaltic" materials of volcanic origin. Read more.
Nuclear Britain? - New generation of nuclear power plants set for the UK after Japan's Hitachi signed a £700m deal giving it rights to build new generators. Full story.
Red pill or Blue pill? - Scientists believe we are close to solving the 'Matrix' theory? Believe it or not the question of whether we live in a real world or a simulated one has plagued philosophers for centuries. Read more.
Climate change forgotten? - Despite pressure from the scientific community and advocacy groups, climate change never made it into the U.S. presidential debates, until just a few days ago. Find out more.
Not so special? - Research suggests our Solar System is not quite as special as once believed. Find out more.
Diabetes linked to flu - Research suggests the flu virus may trigger diabetes. However, this discovery may give us a way to prevent some forms of the disease. Find out more.
Tom Stubbs and Felicity Russell