Parthenogenesis is the use of chemicals to duplicate chromosomes in a human egg, which starts cell division.

'Monitoring Australia's Scientific Research', written by Linda Butler, has just been released from the Research Evaluation and Policy Project at the Australian National University. It presents an analysis of the current state of Australian scientific research.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have just published the first results of a drug designed to neutralise the toxin that makes anthrax infection lethal.

Naturally occurring soil bacteria contain enzymes which can reduce toxic chemicals to harmless compounds.

A simple blood test may soon be able to detect whether a patient is developing cancer, following work at the John Curtin School of Medical Research.

Researchers at Yale have developed a molecule they call icon, that targets blood vessels in tumours for destruction by the immune system without harming vessels in normal tissues.

The CSIRO staff association has issued a caution about funding levels.

Another study, this time in the Journal of the American Medical Association, has found no statistical link between mobile phone use and brain cancer.

A team from the Department of Biology, University of Akron, has found that male rat aggression results from reduced levels of serotonin in the brain.

German scientists have found that a common genetic mutation that makes people more susceptible to deep-vein thrombosis also makes them more fertile.

Scientists believe that a healthy diet and regular exercise are once more key factors in staving off cancer.

President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Brian Anderson, said "This year, political parties and business and community groups have come to a remarkable degree of agreement on the need to promote science and education in Australia for the economic and social benefits that they bring."

Cholesterol results which are just slightly above or below the recommended level, should be done again at another time of the year.

Researchers have found that a human hormone could be used to help prevent heart disease.

Scientists have identified a gene that plays a crucial role in human language and speech.