Provides background information for teachers on the nature and production of antibodies. Points out that the production of monoclonal antibodies blends the malignant with the beneficial to create a medical tool of exciting potential. (JN)

Raccoons are a successful group of animals because they are able to defend themselves and they have characteristics which give them a remarkable ability to adjust or adapt. The raising of captured baby raccoons can cause survival problems for the animals. (CM)

Scientist William J. Dreyer has hypothesized that the cell surface proteins in the nose that detect odors also help assemble embryos. These olfactory receptors and related proteins act as identifiers, much like the last few digits of a telephone number, that help cells to find their intended neighbors in a developing embryo. Discusses the research…

Article tells the story of how a New York City customs man was bit by a King Cobra from Thailand and the medical treatment he received. Describes three types of snake venoms: hemotoxins, cytotoxins, and neurotoxins. Explains how horses are used to produce antitoxins and side effects of the antitoxins on humans. (PR)

The paper examines how teachers and students should deal with steadily increasing amounts of knowledge in the life sciences, explaining that students must learn to be generalists to some extent. It is important for students to know theories and rules as well as how to apply them. (SM)

Discusses the use of computer programs in science and mathematics. Provides examples of how computation offers a new means of describing and investigating scientific and mathematical systems and how computer simulation can be used to examine new kinds of models for natural phenomena. (JN)

Presents a rationale for the new Soviet biology curriculum. Explains guidelines for teaching methodology. Describes in some detail the goals and tasks for students in the new Soviet biology curriculum for grades six through eleven. (RKM)

Discusses potential impact of budget cuts on these agencies: Department of Defense; Department of Energy; National Institutes of Health; National Science Foundation; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Department of Agriculture; Department of the Interior; Environmental Protection Agency; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric…

The author describes specific examples of the use of technology in science such as fiberoptic spectroscopy to observe galaxies and conduct three-dimensional maps of the universe. Adduces the following examples of technology influencing scientific investigations: gene cloning, gene sequencing, radioimmunoassays, patch-clamping of neurons, scanning…

Discusses fundamental improvements with the new Soviet biology curriculum. Concludes that it is essential that the teacher have the correct ideological conviction and professional skills if the new curriculum is to work effectively. (RKM)

Presented is a collection of abstracts of selected technical reports, journal articles, and other documents resulting from research supported by the directorates of the National Science Foundation. Reports are grouped by sponsoring directorate: Biological, Behavioral and Social Sciences; Engineering; and Scientific, Technological and Industrial…

Discusses whether biotechnology commercial application will significantly inhibit the free flow of information traditional in academic environments. Background factors, crux of the concern, assessment, and current options are given. Although little evidence that industry-university collaboration has impaired academic molecular genetics exists,…

Describes less-publicized situations in the biological sciences concerning problems of openness and communication among scientists. Topics addressed include information networks and rules, international communications, balance of power within institutions and fields, openness to whom and on what terms, and scientists as experts. (DH)

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) has been designed to take advantage of the two-way transportation capability of the space shuttle by providing a large number of economical opportunities for science and technology experiments that require modest electrical power and data processing while in space and which benefit from postflight…

Highlights major accomplishments, developments, and research in the sciences during 1982, focusing on the space sciences, astronomy, medicine, biology, psychology, chemistry, physics, environment, and zoology. Includes a brief statement of the 1982 Nobel Prize winners' research in medicine, chemistry, and physics. (JN)