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Science, an editorially independent, multidisciplinary, weekly peer-reviewed journal, ranks as the world’s most prestigious scientific journal. Science has the highest paid circulation of any weekly interdisciplinary scientific journal in the world, and is read even more widely by people in libraries, schools, and research institutions. The journal was established by Thomas Edison in 1880 and has been the official journal of AAAS since 1900. In 2000, Donald Kennedy assumed the role of editor-in-chief of Science after Floyd Bloom, chairman of the Department of Neuropharmacology at the Scripps Research Institute, announced that he would not serve a second term. Kennedy, president emeritus of Stanford University and a former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, brings to the position a broad understanding of current science issues and experience in government and education. RESEARCH AND NEWSIn 2000, Science delivered the most important research developments in a variety of scientific fields, including a landmark paper on the Drosophila genome, evidence of an ancient Martian “land of lakes,” advances such as a cloned piglet and a genetically modified monkey, and new information on the first ancestors out of Africa. In other reports, adult neural stem cells from mice were shown on 2 June to differentiate into a variety of cell types. When the stem cells were grown with embryonic cells and injected into early-stage chick and mouse embryos, they gave rise to muscle, liver, heart, and intestine cells, suggesting a new approach for developing replacement tissues for the body. Later, on 24 November, Science’s nanotechnology issue featured the discovery of “dancing” tin crystals, a natural form of chemical locomotion, plus a host of other small-scale wonders. Yet another paper explained, on 28 April, how successful gene therapy freed two babies with SCID X1 (severe combined immunodeficiency) from sterile, “bubble-like” environments An army of international researchers sequenced the genome of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, providing an unparalleled treasure trove of genetic information in the 24 March issue, and setting the stage for publication of the human genome. Also in 2000, researchers on 8 December examined Mars Orbiter Camera data, concluding that layered geologic outcrops on the Red Planet may be composed of sedimentary rock deposited by water. Science news features in 2000 included a special section on AIDS in Africa. The investigative report, by veteran AIDS journalist Jon Cohen and photographer Malcolm Linton, documented the agonizing human toll of the disease in sub-Saharan countries. Other news highlights included exclusive interviews with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and U.S. President Bill Clinton. SCIENCE ON THE WEBSignal Transduction Knowledge EnvironmentThis electronic publication, launched in 1999, takes advantage of new information technologies to deliver to scholars essential information and to enhance their ability to integrate that information into useful knowledge and testable theory. Updated weekly, STKE offers original perspectives on signal transduction from more than 50 top scientists, as well as synopses of cutting-edge journal articles. More than 12,750 research articles culled from 45 publications from 18 different publishers are available through the site’s Virtual Journal, with approximately 250 added each week. In 2000, Science developed new features to enhance the usefulness of STKE, including white pages, jobs, and moderated forums. More than 30,000 individuals have registered to use the site, which averages 5,000 visitors each week.
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