And the remarkable thing has been that the race has been so even up until now.

NPR: Economy Stealing Election Spotlight

So what have we really gained from these space developments up until now, thus warranting rededicated leadership and investment?

FORBES: Does The United States Still Care About Space Leadership?

"We weren't allowed into the really bad areas until just recently, so now we are playing catch-up, " said Rubin, the Humane Society's vice president of field and disaster services.

CNN: Pet rescuers race against time

Content distribution partnerships have already been sewn up for the US, so now it's just a matter of patience until we get our e-reading on in gorgeous XGA resolution.

ENGADGET: iriver Story HD e-reader preview (video) HD

So, for now, drillers are generally going to prove up reserves and sit on them until the price of gas relative to oil makes it profitable to produce.

FORBES: Driven by Oil Shale Economics, Natural Gas Prices Primed for Slow and Steady Rise

Gareth Davies, Chief executive of the Cleft Lip and Palate Association, said past studies had indicated that taking folic acid may help prevent cleft lip and palate in so called "high risk" groups but until now there had been no conclusive evidence to back this up.

BBC: Folic acid 'cuts cleft palate risk'

In recognition of this effort, we have to accept that up until now the guiding concept behind it has been public access and promoting open knowledge, so the major challenge that the government is now facing is to mobilise the commitments made in the Paris Declaration and make the leap between public and open.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES