conSCIENCE
How Effective Is Science Outreach?
The real aim of the IYC is to “increase the public appreciation and understanding of chemistry, increase young people’s interest in science, and generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry”.
By Ian Rae
Will the International Year of Chemistry successfully promote science to the community?
Ian Rae is a thoughtful skeptic and former RACI President.
To view this article subscribe or purchase a yearly pass here.
The Case for Gene Patents
By Michael Gilbert
Patents are an essential incentive for investment in research.
The very word “cancer” incites feelings of fear and dread. Most of us do not understand where it comes from or why, the treatments seem unreliable and the outcomes are often miserable.
Some cancer researchers are supporting moves to ban gene patents because they are worried that access to critical information and materials will be stifled. They use emotive case studies to argue that somehow gene patents are inhibiting progress in curing patients.
The X-Factor in the Productivity Equation
By Anna-Maria Arabia
The progress of women in science and technology has stalled for the past 15 years.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard wants a higher participation economy because it is a driver of prosperity, a sustainer of growth and a giver of hope and purpose to the community. She also wants an economy with a new generation of Australian entrepreneurs, researchers and inventors.
But Australian governments and industry are failing to take advantage of a key piece of the participation and productivity jigsaw that is sitting right under their nose – women. I know, because I’m a woman who left science for 8 years.
The National Science Curriculum: Not Yet!
By Professor John Rice
The draft science curriculum scores a “fail, more work needed” from the Deans of Science.
The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has been developing a national K–12 curriculum for more than 18 months. It is currently discussing a draft of a K–10 science curriculum with state and territory education authorities.
Good Science Done Properly
Professor Penny Sackett is Chief Scientist for Australia.
By Penny Sackett
Scientists have a social responsibility to maintain high ethical standards in their work.
Professor Penny Sackett is Chief Scientist for Australia.
To view this article subscribe or purchase a yearly pass here.
The Aristotle Swan Test
By Paul Waring
Students from school to university should be learning the essential skills of critical thinking.
Isaac Asimov once said: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. He had alien civilisations in mind, but what of the many Australians who cannot tell the difference between magic and science?
As scientists we are continually implored to communicate our results. For instance, Science Minister Kim Carr recently appealed to scientists to engage more with the public in the global warming debate. But if the public possesses no tools to assess the scientific claims being made, are scientists just wasting their time?
The Hazards of Synthesis
Richard Eckersley’s review paper was rejected by The Lancet for “self-plagiarism”.
By Richard Eckersley
Synthesis of knowledge from different disciplines is underused in research and has hazards for practitioners.
Last year I sent The Lancet a wide-ranging paper urging the need to rethink the science and politics of population health. The journal rejected the paper on the grounds of “self-plagiarism” and reported me to my university, the Australian National University. The ANU investigated and rejected the charge, saying I had not breached the Australian or ANU codes on responsible research.
Homeopathy Costs Us All
Natrum muriaticum is homeopathic salt.
By Ken Harvey
There is no evidence for homeopathy yet medical insurance companies – subsidised by the government – are extending their cover due to client demand, and health authorities lack the power to act on misleading claims.
Homeopathy has been in the news of late. Earlier this year, a homeopath and his wife were found guilty of manslaughter after their baby daughter died when they treated her severe eczema with homeopathic remedies rather than conventional medicines.
Deadly Concerns Over Herbal Medicines
Professor Roger Byard, Photo: The University of Adelaide
By Roger W. Byard
Just how safe are herbal medicines, and how well are we evaluating their possible contribution to illness and death?
While there is no doubt that some pharmaceutical drugs carry significant risks of morbidity and sometimes mortality, a recent review of traditional herbal medicines has shown that “natural” does not always equate with “safe”. Published in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Journal ofForensic Sciences, my review dealt withpotentially harmful effects and interactionsof herbal medicines that had been published in the international scientificliterature.
Science for Dummies
By John O’Connor
How concerned should we be that many Australians don't know some basic science facts?
There has been a range of comment about the recent Academy of Science survey on science literacy, ranging from criticism of such surveys and their relevance through to serious concern about the decline in literacy.
The criticism is based on the belief that it covers knowledge which is no longer relevant in the modern era and just gives an opportunity to highlight a deficiency that needs to be addressed for educational reasons or a target for greater science outreach. But is it so irrelevant?
