Australian scientists honoured

Eminent physiologist and founding director of Melbourne's Florey Institute, Professor Derek Denton, was made a Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Australia Day Awards for his service to medical science and Professor Denton made pioneering discoveries about how the brain regulates the body's sodium balance, and fluid and electrolyte levels.

Seven medical researchers were made Officers (AO) of the General Division. They are:

• West Australian medical researcher Professor Michael Alpers for contributions to tropical medicine and public health, in particular his research on the neurodegenerative disorder kuru, once common in members of the Fore clan of eastern Papua-New Guinea.
• Professor Harvey Coates of Western Australia for his work in paediatric ear and throat diseases.
• The late Professor Ivan Stanley de la Lande for services to pharmacology research and understanding of the human vascular system.
• Professor Terry Dwyer of Hobart's Menzies Research Institute for his service to medical research in the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and sudden infant death syndrome.
• Professor Nic Nicola, of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Parkville, Vic, for his service to research and policy development in cellular and molecular biochemistry, and to the development of medical biotechnology.
• Professor John Pollard, of New South Wales for services to neurology - especially peripheral nerve disease and multiple sclerosis.
• Professor Alison Street, of the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, for service to medicine, particular in haematology, and her contributions to the management of congenital bleeding disorders and minimising transfusion-transmitted infections.