Dr Brennan, who was the clinical director of the service from October 1990 until he took paid leave in June 1997, failed to carry out a key test on dozens of women which involves taking a sample of cells from the suspected cancer with a fine needle, the GMC was told.

BBC: Doctors 'failed breast cancer patients'

Instead of taking the temperature of a representative sample of customers, firms must identify the few special customers who innovate.

ECONOMIST: The future of innovation

Taking a sample from one part of a tumour may not reveal its full genetic identity, according to research by scientists from Cancer Research UK (CRUK).

BBC: DNA analysis shows huge genetic diversity in tumours

Part of the problem, she said, was that the slice of New York City students taking the tests doesn't match the demographics of any national sample.

WSJ: New York City Gifted-and-Talented Program's Math Is Questioned

In truth, though, this is hardly a representative sample, since the exhibitionists taking part are goaded on by the presence of the cameras.

ECONOMIST: We love you, Big Brother

The rover was taking its first soil sample that week, but she was even more excited about the arsenal of instruments that she could use to analyze it.

NEWYORKER: The Martian Chroniclers