Archive by date | April 2011

Armadillo passes leprosy to humans

Armadillo passes leprosy to humans

New genetic evidence confirms a long held suspicion that the armadillo, the official small state mammal of Texas, can pass leprosy to humans. The finding should give clinicians a reason to watch for the disease in patients, say researchers, and hopefully lead to earlier diagnosis of the disease.  Read more

Lab sabotage deemed research misconduct (with exclusive surveillance video)

Vipul Bhrigu, a former University of Michigan postdoc who sabotaged the work of a graduate student in his lab last year, has now been debarred from US federal funding for three years. The Office of Research Integrity (ORI), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services issued a finding of research misconduct for Bhrigus acts. Nature has been following up on the story that it reported in September of last year and now provides exclusive video of Bhrigu getting caught in the act.

Astronomical society appeals NASA investigations

Astronomical society appeals NASA investigations

NASA may be reconsidering controversial background investigations that prompted a high-profile lawsuit by 27 scientists, engineers and other employees at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Nature has learned. A letter from the American Astronomical Society, released to Nature, attempts to inform the space agency’s deliberations.  Read more

Research board calls for Gulf Coast proposals

Research board calls for Gulf Coast proposals

The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GRI) research board today announced its long-awaited request for proposals from researchers who want to use British Petroleum (BP) funds to study the effects of last year’s Gulf Coast Oil spill. Interdisciplinary teams of researchers may now apply for funding to conduct studies that address one of five themes.  Read more