Commentary

Unregulated forensic science practices have led to a spate of wrongful convictions. There are too many ‘cowboy’ practitioners whose services can be bought at a price.

The US government sometimes funds research in private companies. But there has been disagreement about the type of research that should receive public money. A consensus may be beginning to emerge.

Life insurers claim they stand to lose unless allowed access to applicants' genetic information, but consumers insist such data should remain out of bounds. Could both sides be right?

Two of Japan's government agencies are set to be merged in an attempt to raise the country's scientific standards. But unless a ‘bottom-up’ approach to science is adopted, the culture of basic research may be damaged.

Anniversaries of note this year range from the discovery of alpha particles and inert gases to a plague of medical breakthroughs, the creation of a health service to make them available⃛ and the invention of an ice-cream freezer.

A scientific consensus that humans are influencing the climatewill be behind any agreements on greenhouse-gas reductions nextmonth. But how can climate research have an optimal influenceon climate policy in the future?

A recent earthquake near a former Soviet nuclear test site has tested mechanisms for monitoring the test-ban treaty. Technical systems passed with flying colours, but relevant US agencies could have done better.

Partnerships between insurance companies and climate scientists are a model for how academic science can provide value to business. These partnerships benefit both businesses and scientists, as well as the wider public.

The scientific enterprise is full of experts on specialist areas but woefully short of people with a unified world-view. This state of affairs can only inhibit progress, and could threaten political and financial support for research.

Harmful algal blooms are a serious and increasing problem in marine waters, yet scientists and funding agencies have been slow to investigate possible control strategies.

It is poor science to use inappropriate strains of rodents in badly designed and inefficient experiments for testing the safety of chemicals. It is also costly and unethical because greater numbers of laboratory animals are needed.

Japan's universities need strong leadership to give young scientists, foreign staff and women the opportunities that are denied them. Academics should have more of a sense of crisis over what is an unacceptable situation.