The initiatives have since become more serious and are being led by Google's "access" unit, the Google X lab led by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, and Google.org, the company's nonprofit arm, these people said.

WSJ: Google to Fund, Develop Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets

And matters could become far more serious than a mere loss of voters' support.

ECONOMIST: Venezuela

Issues become more complex upon setting the jokes aside and considering serious economic and environmental concerns.

FORBES: When Washington Fails a Cost-Benefit Test

If Apple plans to keep doubling the size of Mac marketshare every few years, the target for script kiddies and serious criminals alike will continue to become more tempting.

FORBES: Mac users' Invite to the Botnet party

These corrupt officials and police don't want to lose that income, so they let brothels operate freely as long as they don't become hubs for more serious crimes, like drug sales, or violence--and as long as there isn't overwhelming political will to shut things down, as there was around the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the run up to the World Expo in Shanghai this year.

FORBES: It tells you a lot about how Chinese government works.

Fans say Facebook can become a platform for more serious businesses built on firmer ground, such as health care and higher education.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Until recently, that dilemma had bedevilled their campaigns and allowed Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, to become a more serious challenger because of his forthright condemnation of Mr Bush.

ECONOMIST: Who’s backing Bush? | The

This kind of cancer is relatively easy to treat, but these women are at increased risk to develop more serious forms ofbreast cancer that are likely to spread to other parts of the body and become lethal.

FORBES: Old Breast Cancer Drug Brings in New Money

People who have a strong family history should be closely monitored if they become depressed and should be treated promptly if they meet the criteria for clinical depression because they are at risk for more serious, ongoing problems.

CNN: Are you at risk for depression? A quick family history could tell