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Author(s): H. Gee Nature 418 , 667 (2002); doi:10.1038/418667a. This article was initially assigned the digital object identifier (DOI) number 10.1038/nature01012. Subsequently, the same DOI number was inadvertently assigned to [...]

Discusses research describing the systematic position of a fossil invertebrate called `Barrandeocarpus norvegicus' from the Upper Ordovician of Norway. Theories.

Comments on a study in this issue by P.E. Ahlberg that redescribes what were once thought of as fish remains as those of tetrapods. This helps to fill in one of the gaps in the evolutionary transition from water to land. New bones are from the Upper Frasnian (Upper Devonian) exposure in Scotland. Cites related research.

Reports on the launch delay of the Hipparcos, the European Space Agency's astrometry satellite. Electrical storm problems.

Reports on the findings of the Dinosaur Project, a joint Sino-Canadian initiative to explore Jurassic and Cretaceous sediments in Asia and North America. Dinosaur diversity; Comparisons.

Reports on discussions at the first plenary session of the Academic Europaea, in London, stressing the need for international collaboration in research efforts to understand global environmental problems. British science policy objectives. Future priorities.

Reports on controversy at the British Museum (Natural History) over recommendations by corporate image consultants. No charge for services.

Discusses the unearthing of important fauna from the Late Miocene in the United Arab Emirates by Peter Whybrow of the British Museum (Natural History). Refined knowledge of the area's geography.

Comments on challenges to a theory proposed by Allan Wilson and his colleagues at the University of California, that all human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genomes now extant derive from a single ancestral mtDNA molecule in sub-Saharan Africa about 200,000 years ago. Letter in `Science' magazine by Alan Templeton which demolishes the concept in four curt paragraphs; The `maximum parsimony' theory; More.

Details a January 31, 1992 report from the Science and Technology Committee of the House of Lords which states that the decline of interest in systematic biology, the classification of living things based on evolutionary relationships, is due to the failure of the peer-review process in Britain to recognize its `immeasurable' importance. Complaints directed at the Advisory Board for the Research Councils (ABRC); The prominece of green politics; British spending on systematics; More.

Reveals that Sir Mark Richmond, chairman of Britain's Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) has challenged the government to increase scientific salaries. Funding problems for the dual support system of the Universities Funding Council(UFC) and the research councils. Criticism of `Nature's Manifesto for British Science'; Recommendations; Diagram of Richmond's plan for research organization.

Reveals that there was vocal opposition from researchers after a tentative restructuring plan was presented to the 11th Human Genome Mapping Workshop, held in London, England, August 1991. Plans to limit attendance at future meetings; Logistical problems; Dates for future meetings.

Reports that Britain's House of Commons Environment Committee has endorsed proposals by the Zoological Society of London to save the threatened London Zoo. The plan is for transforming the zoo into a center for conservation education by displaying fewer animals and emphasizing the work of the society's research arm.

Focuses on a seminar at the Natural History Museum in London, England, convened by the UK Department of the Environment that discussed what role the UK can play in world conservation efforts. UK scientists should exploit their expertise and reference collections.

Addresses the response to Britain's Labour Party plan for science by the Conservative Party in a document entitled `Science and Innovation: The Cultural Revolution.' The Labour Party intends to fund an increase in research and development funding and to create a science minister in the cabinet office.

States that a new report from the Court of Auditors, the body that overseas all European Commission spending, finds that the European Communities, (EC) research programs are wasting thousands of millions of pounds. Only a tiny fraction of the budget spent in the past five years has resulted in concrete applications.

Reveals that `Pushing Back the Frontier,' a policy statement on science and technology published on June 11, 1991, is a promise by the British Labour Party for a radical overhaul of the organization of science. Plans include appointing a Minister for Science in the Cabinet Office, restructuring science in parliament and other ideas.

Describes the uncertain fate of the London Zoo. The Department of the Environment in Britain refused to underwrite a rescue package to avert the zoo's imminent closure.

Reveals the rescue plans for the London Zoo that will be presented to Britain's Department of the Environment. The plan involves giving up some of the zoo's larger animals and transforming it into a center for conservation education in an attempt to halt closure.

Describes a new permanent exhibition on ecology that opened March 7, 1991 at London's Natural History Museum. Exhibit is seen as visually impressive but also controversial to some.

Reports that the California-based pressure group British Scientists Abroad has written an open letter to John Major, British Prime Minister. Letter stresses the critical condition of British science and demands government action.

Reports that ROSAT, the multinational Rontgen orbiting X-ray observatory has resumed observations after an earlier malfunction damaged two instruments. Program has moved into the second phase, a detailed observation of individual sources.

Reveals that a draft of the 1991-92 corporate plan from the British Natural History Museum predicts a loss in government funding by 1996 despite efforts to streamline organization and raise money from external sources. Describes other highlights from the report.

Reports that the British government has decided not to provide 6 million pounds towards the development of a controversial cancer therapy center in London. The plan for generating neutrons with a cyclotron was opposed due to lack of evidence that it is more successful than other therapies.

Reports that ROSAT, the multinational Rontgen X-ray observatory spun out of control and two instruments in its scientific payload were damaged. Scientists are deciding whether to risk resuming operations or to wait for new software protocols to be designed and tested.

Reveals that the British government is planning to privatize the state-owned patents licensing company, the British Technology Group (BTG). BTG now a monopoly, will see more competition when its activities are expanded abroad.

Announces that the sixth Louis Jeantet Prize for Medicine will be shared by three scientists. Pierre Chambon of the University of Strasbourg; Frank Grosveld of the National Institute for Medical Research in London; Hugh Pelham at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK.

Reveals that botanists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, are compiling a computer database of plant species called the Species Plantarum Project. The need for a taxonomic database is so great that plans are proceeding even though there is a shortage of funds.

Reports that the European Communities has declared that carrots will be called a fruit from Jan. 1, 1991. Since jam can only be made from fruit and carrot jam is popular in Portugal, the carrot's status was changed.

Reveals that the UK Universities Funding Council (UFC) has been criticized for its rejection of the efforts of universities to comply with its new plans for apportioning funds. Controversy over bidding system; Plans of University College for raising money.

Informs on the Friends of the Natural History Museum in London, an organization that will provide support for the museum; Describes other ongoing controversies at the museum.

Reports that the trustees of the Science Museum in London have been fined for not maintaining and cleaning their air conditioning systems following the discovery of `Legionella' bacteria in the system. Summarizes financial problems for the London Zoo and the royal Botanic Gardens in Kew.

Reports on an international conference, held by the Royal Society of Arts, on the future of scholarship in museums. Museum research found necessary.

Contemplates the London Natural History Museum's latest mail order catalogue. Highlights some of the gift ideas.

Reveals that the controversial job-cutting corporate plan instituted by the Natural History Museum was condemned at a recent meeting in Milton Keynes.

Provides a photograph and brief description of an updated model of the extinct dodo (Raphus cucullatus), now on exhibit at the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. What the reconstruction involved; Work completed by A.M. Kitchener and Derek Frampton.

Examines the policy changes made by the management of the Natural History Museum in London concerning the dismissal of certain members of the research staff. Criticism from the scientific community prompted the move; Expanded staff responsibilities.

Reports that the fossil of the earliest known reptile, Lizzie, has found a home at the National Museums of Scotland. Last minute donations; Proposed geological name.

Reports on two meetings held to discuss the future of Britain's Natural History Museum as a scientific research center. Official meeting on proposed changes in museum research; Scientists' trade union meeting also held.

Reports that researchers at the Natural History Museum in London went on a second one-day strike on May 11, 1990 to protest the museum's controversial corporate plan. Protest over the loss of one in six research posts; Museums and Galleries' Commission assessing the problem.

Reports, briefly, on attempts by the National Museums of Scotland to gather enough donations to buy `Lizzie,' the fossil of the earliest-known reptile.

Reveals that a strike over job losses at the British Natural History Museum was narrowly averted. Museum's new corporate plan proposes a loss of 51 of its 300 science posts. Plan condemned by researchers; Accusation of plan's Disneyland-type jargon.

Reports that researchers at Britain's Natural History Museum went on a one-day strike to protest the museum's controversial corporate plan. Plan seen as a threat to the museum's standing as a taxonomic research center. Tenure abolished in favor of short-term contracts; Research to be concentrated; Chart of posts lost at the museum.

Reports that the Natural History Museum in London is planning to get rid of one in six science jobs in the next three years. Plans to concentrate research; 98 percent of museum's grant is used for salaries; Other aspects of the museum's corporate plan.

Reveals that editors of leading medical journals find a recent report that United States clinical research is declining because of lack of funding is misleading. Observations of various editors.

Reveals a surprise donation by the Geologists' Association that will aid the appeal by the National Museums of Scotland to keep `Lizzie,' the 340-million-year-old fossil of the earliest known reptile in Scotland where she was discovered. Sale planned by discoverer to a museum in Stuttgart; Wider issues over export of geological specimens.

Reveals that the 150th anniversary of the invention of the term `dinosaur' will be officially marked in 1991 by a commemorative set of dinosaur stamps from the UK Post Office. Brief details of plans.

Reveals that `Lizzie' the earliest known reptile may end up in Scotland, following a surprise announcement from the Museum Fur Naturkunde in Stuttgart, the successful bidders for the specimen. Brief background of the controversy; Display date.