SEPTEMBER 2002

FEATURES

Operation Leo
An expedition to the Nullarbor Plain has returned with the skeletal remains of several large extinct beasts that once roamed Australia. Carmelo Amalfi spent several days at the fossil dig.

Australia’s Atomic Bomb Plans Revealed
Peter Pockley adds new evidence to revelations on Australia’s deepest defence secret.

Double Standards with Waste Sheer Rubbish
John Loy, head of the nuclear regulator ARPANSA, replies to criticism in Australasian Science of the government’s record in disposing of radioactive waste.

Churn Rate Increases Pressures in CSIRO
Peter Pockley probes further the controversial reshaping of the national research agency.

conScience

External Regulation to Stop Misconduct in Science “Can Be Ruinous”
Damian Grace says that self-direction is at the core of science, and scientists themselves ought to identify ethical failures.

STEM CELLS

Clones, Stem Cells and the Future of Medicine
Margaret Wertheim reveals how stem cell researchers are overcoming the technical hurdles, but asks: who is going to pay and who will benefit?

Adult Stem Cells Gain Momentum
Later this month Australia’s top stem cell researchers will gather to reveal their latest achievements at Stem Cells 2002. Stephen Luntz finds that some of the most exciting research involves adult stem cells.

Stem Cell Research and Cloning: Legal Loopholes
Present state and Commonwealth legislation fails to regulate cloning and embryo research, warn Loane Skene and Brendan Gogarty.

Are We Ready for Therapeutic Cloning?
Jack Martin says the public has been misled about the potential for human embryonic stem cells to cure many diseases.

MARINE SCIENCE

The Great Barrier Bleach
This year the Great Barrier Reef experienced the worst case of coral bleaching on record. Vanessa Woods reports.

Inshore Great Barrier Reef Areas at Risk
Land clearing, agricultural fertilisers and sewerage run-off are smothering the Great Barrier Reef in sediment and algae fed by nutrients. Kellie Lobb reports.

Is the Tide Rolling out on Jobs for Our Marine Scientists?
Australia may be girt by sea, but that isn’t helping the employment prospects of marine scientists. Daniel Bateman reports.

UPDATE

HyShot Launch Achieves Supersonic

Combustion

Light May Not Be So Fast

Baby Dino Find

Frank Fenner Awarded PM’s Prize

Spinal Regeneration Trial Begins

Stem Cell Cultures Come “Clean”

Stem Cells Better than Insulin Injections

In the Dark on Asteroid Threats

Evidence for Terrestrial Bombardment

ConScientious Fallout on Radioactive Waste

Universities Join Ranks of Corruption

Targets

Eureka for a Media Skeptic

Tree-Bound Kangaroo Saved by Pidgin