JUNE 2003

FEATURES

GM Virus to Bring a Plague of Infertility
A genetically modified virus that leaves mice infertile could be trialled later this year. Simon Grose reports on the science and the potential problems.

Something in the Air
Rotorua is better-known for its geysers than the smell of rotting eggs bubbling through the soil and sewers. Michael Durand finds that you can’t escape the smell indoors, with potential health and economic costs for residents and businesses.

Flagships Set Sail (560kb PDF)
Peter Pockley seeks signs that CSIRO’s vaunted Flagships are really sailing, and profiles the Light Metals Flagship.

New Zealand’s Divaricating Shrubs: Did the Moa Do It?
Rochelle Christian tests the theory that moa influenced the evolution of New Zealand’s vegetation.

Mars on Earth: Diary of a Marsnaut
Jonathan Clarke spent a month living and working on the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah. His diary relates his impressions of life on a simulated Martian base and describes the lessons learned in preparation for the construction of a similar facility in the Australian outback.

The Genes behind Endometriosis
Andrea Douglas and Susan Treloar describe how a study of 4000 women with endometriosis could pinpoint the genes responsible for the disease and lead to effective treatments.

Vaccine Targets Heart Disease
The incidence of rheumatic heart disease in Australian Aborigines is the highest in the world. Colleen Olive describes efforts to develop a vaccine targeting the bacterium responsible.

Nature’s Chemistry Set
Andrew Beattie looks to social insects and lotus leaves for new drugs, self-cleaning surfaces, fire-detection systems, instant adhesives, antifouling agents and biological mining and bioremediation methods.

Write of Reply

Beware of Selective Statistics
Peter McGuaran responds to claims that Australia’s research performance has eroded.

A Mindset of Denial
Alex Reisner responds to the Science Minister’s criticisms of his conScience article.

conScience

Social Science Influences Research Priorities
Leon Mann calls for broader involvement in the "innovation culture and economy".

BROWSE

HyShot Search Goes On

High Velocity Clouds Are “Cosmic Dandruff”

Breeding for Shrink-proof Wool

Blue Protein Gives Red Light to Researchers

Plants Grow Better on Cloudy Days

Archaeologist Seeks Baghdad Relics

Farmer’s GM Attitudes Disputed

N-dump Plan Triggers New Fight

Don’t Clean the Harbour Floor

Bushfires a Quick Way to Exfoliate

Sign of the Times

History Rewritten in Mud

Frog Researcher Given a Hand

Microscope Flaw More than Microscopic

Extroverts Have a Brain Wave

Target for Anti-Clotting Drugs

Gulf War Vets Suffer Psychologically

State Government Wary of Maralinga Clean-up