Govt funds four fellowships for scientists

Four taxpayer-funded fellowships - each worth $253,000 over two years - have been granted to four top academics.

The James Cook research fellowships have gone to scientists at four different universities:

* Professor Paul Rainey, at Massey University, will study details of genetic evolution to help produce a better, more predictive, theory of evolution;

* Associate Professor Poul (crct) Nielsen, at Auckland University, will develop new tools for use in biological modelling;

* Professor Susan Schenk at Victoria University will use new techniques to identify what causes long-term changes in the structure and function of brains in drug addicts to create a craving for drugs; and,

* Associate Professor Tony Poole at Otago University will study a flock of mutated sheep in an effort to understand how primary cilia -- a hair-like structure that acts like a probe for cells -- work and how they are important in diseases.

Science Minister Wayne Mapp said the innovative research could improve productivity by creating better technologies and new ways of doing things.

"The power of a good new idea or insight can be immense," the minister said in a statement. "These awards recognise the potential shown so far".

The fellowships are administered by the national science academy, the Royal Society. Previous recipients include Sir Paul Callaghan, Dame Judith Binney and Peter Hunter.