

(Xinhua Photo)
Skin deep
This disco-map of the human body catalogues the chemicals and microbes found on the largest of all organs: the skin. Swabs from 400 sites on two healthy people were taken after the willing volunteers did not bathe for three days in the name of science.

(Xinhua Photo)
Body of evidence
Day-to-day life for African vultures is captured by this "carcass cam" shot. Although the scene is a bit gruesome, the birds’ feeding habits play a key part in keeping the ecosystem healthy.

(Xinhua Photo)
California fire
The U.S. "golden state" has been hit hard by four years of severe drought. As locals and wildlife struggle to adapt to the dry spell, the frequency of fires, such as this one near Clearlake in August, has increased.

(Xinhua Photo)
Martian flows
Planetary scientists have been finding water on Mars in different forms for some time now. But the dark streaks visible here are particularly exciting as they form part of the strongest evidence so far of liquid brine at the surface. The image was created by fitting images from NASA’s High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment over a model of the terrain of the Garni Crater.
![]() |
Are these the world’s scariest landing strips?
In pics: Left behind children in China
Eight modern day engineering marvels of China
Chinese beauty with sexiest bottom
Charming female bodybuilders of Chengdu University
Polish sports stars strip off for risqué calendar
Spectacular aerial photos of the Three Gorges
Contestants of Mrs. Globe pose for photo in Shenzhen
Bikini models attend hot pot banquet in Hefei
Top 20 hottest women in the world in 2014
Top 10 hardest languages to learn
10 Chinese female stars with most beautiful faces
China’s Top 10 Unique Bridges, Highways and Roads
Japan’s propaganda war on Diaoyu absurd
Models best placed to defend their own health
Professor defies taboos to get the elderly talking about sex
Developers hope AI will be able to ace?gaokao?in near futureDay|Week