BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Specials | Sheffield 99

Sheffield was the location for the 1999 British Association Festival of Science. It was a chance for the UK's leading researchers to showcase their work. The major events of the week are recorded on this page.

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Martin Redfern presents a special Science In Action programme from Sheffield
You can find out about the deadly comets that could destroy civilisation and see the first video from the BBC's big, new dinosaur series. There is also news about fluorescent potatoes and an underwater telescope.

Friday 17 September

Sports science dominated the last day at Sheffield with a controversial analysis of the greatest ever run in athletics. Controversial is also how you would describe one zoologist's call for the introduction of wolves into the Highlands of Scotland.

BBC News's Matt McGrath on why dirt could be good for you

Call for return of Scottish wolves

Sue Nelson reports on the latest research into sports technology

Chinese woman produced 'greatest ever' run

Window of superbug vulnerability opens

Thursday 16 September

So what are the chances of a passing comet hitting Earth and wiping us all out? One scientist put his ideas forward on the subject on day four of the festival

News image BBC News's Matt McGrath rounds up some of the day's talking points

Small but deadly comets identified

Ugandan rice production brings malaria

Clever compost clears pollution

'Everlasting' light bulb on the way

News image Breakfast gives your mind a boost

GM viruses to turn plants into factories

Crash dieting 'makes you thick'

Wednesday 15 September

Can an anaesthetised patient hear the chatter of surgeons in an operating theatre? And can terrorists be persuaded to give up their guns? Just two of the talking points from day three in Sheffield.

News image Why witches rode around on broomsticks

Walking like a dinosaur

Patients could suffer from careless whispers

Wild plants a 'source of new medicine'

News image Former UK Met Office chief Sir John Houghton warns of the dangers of global warming

Terrorists are 'addicted' to their crimes

Giving bacteria a nasty wake-up call

News image Hypnosis cannot help police solve crimes, says psychologist Dr Mark Kebble

Meet the viral bug busters

The upper in the cupper

News image BBC 5Live's Matt McGrath: Do beauty lotions and potions really work?

Tuesday 14 September