The integrity of the scientific literature

A case of admitted scientific fraud has shed new light on the system that ensures the integrity of the scientific literature. Certain lapses from generally accepted standards of research may be more frequent than is commonly believed.     

思想的火花为全球系统网络闪烁

因研究C_(60)而荣获1996年诺贝尔化学奖桂冠的斯莫利是当今世界科学界思想异常活跃的科学家。目前他的研究兴奋点转向了全球能源的需求问题。今年六月,他在科罗拉多州加登城的国家再生性能源实验室作了一次题为“2050年的世界能源需求”的演讲,《纽约时报》记者从演讲现场发回了以下报道:     

美国国际商用机器公司(IBM)掌握了让实验室赢利的方法——实验室里能够出利润

隐没在加州桑乔斯硅谷南部自然保护区内的美国国际商用机器公司(IBM)的阿尔马登研究中心,48岁的物理学家唐纳德·艾哥勒(Donald M.Eigler)管理着一个仅有三室的实验角,那里到处可见用以提取、移动和收集单个原子的工具.     

Natural selection and sympatric divergence in the apple maggot Rhagoletis pomonella

In On the Origin of Species, Darwin proposed that natural selection had a fundamental role in speciation. But this view receded during the Modern Synthesis when allopatric (geographic) models of speciation were integrated with genetic studies of hybrid sterility and inviability. The sympatric hypothesis posits that ecological specialization after a host shift can result in speciation in the absence of complete geographic isolation. The apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella, is a model for sympatric speciation in progress. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is the native host for R. pomonella in N. Americas. But in the mid-1800s, a new population formed on introduced, domesticated apple (Malus pumila). Recent studies have conferred 'host race' status on apple flies as a potentially incipient species, partially isolated from haw flies owing to host-related adaptation. However, the source of selection that differentiates apple and haw flies is unresolved. Here we document a gene-environment interaction (fitness trade-off) that is related to host phenology and that genetically differentiates the races.     

Primary structure and genomic organization of the histidine-rich protein of the malaria parasite Plasmodium lophurae

The nucleotide sequence of a complete genomic clone for the histidine-rich protein of Plasmodium lophurae has been determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of the mature protein shows numerous tandemly repeated units preceded by a signal and a pro peptide. The gene is interrupted by an intron with a separate exon coding for the signal peptide. The signal peptide-encoding exon detects multiple cross-hybridizing sequences in the parasite genome.