MAY 2003

FEATURES

Do Flies Get Food Poisoning?
Flies feed on filthy material without any apparent ill-effect. Joanne Clarke, Michael Gillings and Andrew Beattie believe they may therefore be the source of new classes of antibiotics.

The Selfish Immune System
Peter Doherty argues that a mechanism for sexual discrimination may have been hijacked by the immune system.

Disappointing Results for HIV Vaccine Trials
Although more than a dozen HIV vaccines will soon face human trials, Simon Grose finds pessimism among researchers.

Diary from the Antarctic Plateau
John Storey spent most of January determining the suitability of two sites for Antarctic astronomy.

Golden Jubilee for Antarctic Ships
Helen Morgan recounts the pivotal role of ice-strengthened ships in Australia’s push to establish a scientific presence in Antarctica.

The Dark Side of Auroras
Auroras are the visible signs of solar storms that can wreak havoc on electrical equipment on Earth and in space. Leharne Fountain reports.

Paranormal Beliefs Among Science Students
Martin Bridgstock questions science students about their pseudoscientific beliefs.

Lead Poisoning of Kakadu Crocodiles
Ross Jeffree investigates whether
crocodile deaths in Kakadu are caused by ingestion of lead shot.

Life on the Wild Side
Andrea Griffin has successfully trained tammar wallabies bred in captivity to identify predators responsible for their extinction in many parts of Australia.

Super Strength Steels
Georgina Kelly describes how the strength of steel can be doubled.

Look Who’s NOT Talking Now
Diane McDougald discovers a new class of antimicrobial agents that prevent bacteria from communicating with each other.

conScience

Why Postgraduates Are Pessimistic
As he prepares to join the brain drain, Matt Hall asks what will encourage him to return.

BROWSE

Maralinga Clean-up Controversy Continues

Mammal-like Reptile Survived Mass Extinction

Land Clearing’s Killing Fields

Australian Birds Spot the Cuckoo

Low Risk PhDs

Muscle Gain without the Pain?

Federation Fellowships Announced

Secret of Min Min Lights

Historical Scientific Garden Rediscovered

Glycaemic Index Controls Obesity

Perfect Non-Newtonian Fluids

Simple Cure for Blue-Green Algae

The End of Concrete Cancer

Gamma Ray Burst Close to Home

Scientific Instruments or Weapons of Mass Destruction?

Geosequestration Wins Support

Taming the Cane Toad

Media Award for Australasian Science

Cool Scientist Honoured