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China has won international plaudits for its commitment to green goals. It has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent per economic unit by 2020 and is also adding alternative energy sources such as wind farms and nuclear power plants faster than any other country. But the nation is also in the midst of unprecedented economic growth--and an unprecedented surge in the use of energy, which for China means coal

The magnitude 8.9 earthquake that hit Japan just a few hours ago has elicited a fast response from Google , with a person finder app identical to the one used in New Zealand recently. Japan's technologically very well equipped to react to the disaster, including the tsunami that followed the quake, and the nation's bullet trains, metros and nuclear power stations automatically halted. One reactor had an issue, but there was no reported leak

More technology does not always mean more openness and collaboration. Consider the divergent examples of Tunisia, writing its new constitution via the collaborative, open-source PiratePad, and Hungary, writing its guiding document via the very proprietary iPad.

Among China's female workforce in managerial positions, 19% hold the title of CEO, according to the Grant Thornton Business Report released this week . That's 10% higher than averages in Europe and 14% higher than averages in the United States, according to the report. Thailand came in first at a whopping 30% of female managers holding the title of CEO and Taiwan came in third at 18%, pointing to a possible emerging trend in Asia for women to more routinely hold the position of CEO.

Could blindness soon be a thing of the past? A California company called Second Sight recently received approval in Europe to sell the Argus II, a $115,000 gadget that can partially restore sight to patients with degenerative eye disease.

Algae has been a hot topic in the clean energy community for years; it can be used to produce biofuel efficiently, with minimal water use, and without taking up arable land.

A retinal-replacement device is approved for use in Europe; the Food and Drug Administration may not be far behind

Device approved in Europe; American involved in clinical trial says he can see shapes, tell light from dark while using gadget