Science News Roundup: Germany eyes bigger role in space; diagnostic test for chronic fatigue and more

Germany seeks to secure a slice of emerging space market

Facing tough competition from China, the United States and even tiny Luxembourg, Germany is racing to draft new laws and attract private investment to secure a slice of an emerging space market that could be worth $1 trillion a year by the 2040s. The drive to give Germany a bigger role in space comes as European, Asian and U.S. companies stake out ground in an evolving segment that promises contracts for everything from exploration to the mining of outer-space resources.

U.S. scientists claim to have developed test for chronic fatigue

Scientists in the United States say they have taken a step towards developing a possible diagnostic test for chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine said a pilot study of 40 people, half of whom were healthy and half of whom had the syndrome, showed their potential biomarker test correctly identified those who were ill. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME, is estimated to affect some 2.5 million people in the United States and as many as 17 million worldwide.