Describes areas of inorganic chemistry which have changed dramatically in the past year or two, including photochemistry, electrochemistry, organometallic complexes, inorganic reaction theory, and solid state chemistry. (DS)

Discusses the chemistry of comets. How comets provide clues to the birth of the solar system, photolytic reactions on comets involving water, chemical modeling, nuclear chemistry, and research findings are among the areas considered. (JN)

New research findings about how nerve cells transmit signals are forcing researchers to overhaul their simplistic ideas about the nervous system. Topics highlighted include the multiple role of peptides in the nervous system, receptor molecules, and molecules that form ion channels within membranes. (Author/JN)

Reviews and evaluates the past three attempts at organizing NSF's applied research programs, the Research Applied to National Needs (RANN) in 1977, the Applied Science and Research Applications in 1978, and the Engineering and Applied Science Directorate in 1979. Discusses the National Technology Foundation now being proposed. (CS)

Research in photosynthesis is revealing a number of possible ways to increase the efficiency of carbon dioxide assimilation by crops and thus increase yields, a necessity in times of growing population and shrinking agricultural land. (Author/BB)

The General Accounting Office conducted a study to determine whether particular funding mechanisms play a role in helping universities improve program quality and whether funding mechanisms have different effects on research performance. Findings from the study are reported and discussed. (JN)

The declining level of government support for research has provoked concern regarding the impact on British science and scientists' morale and has triggered the formation of a lobbying group called Save British Science. Major issues (including financial considerations) are reported and discussed. (JN)

Discusses the process of aging in the brain, including some of the structural and chemical changes that take place in the nerve cells as they age. (CS)

A discussion of the periodic table of the elements and the role it has played in the synthesis of man-made elements. (BB)

"Partners in the Research Enterprise" was a recent conference sponsored by the Smith-Kline Beckman Corporation. Conferees from industry and academia discussed improving interrelationships between industry and colleges/universities and spotlighted some of the major problems that remain. (Author/JN)

Reviews recent advances in aquatic toxicology, whose major goal is to protect diverse aquatic organisms and whole ecological communities from the dire effects of man-made chemicals. Current legislation is reviewed. Differences in mammalian and aquatic toxicology are listed, and examples of research in aquatic toxicology are discussed. (CS)

This report details recent advances in fermentation biotechnology as presented by speakers at the 27th International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Congress. Discussion centered around the use of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi as future sources of essential materials as food, fuel, and medicine. (BT)

Provides a brief review of the latest developments in nuclear chemistry. Nuclear research today is directed toward increased activity in radiopharmaceuticals and formation of new isotopes by high-energy, heavy-ion collisions. (Author/BB)

Discusses various topics and issues related to the scientific enterprise in Cuba. Notes that Cuban science is emphasizing biotechnology and research on the island's chief crop (sugarcane), although hampered by limited personnel and lack of modern laboratory equipment. (JN)

Reviews various topics and research studies on the geology of volcanoes. Areas examined include volcanoes and weather, plate margins, origins of magma, magma evolution, United States Geological Survey (USGS) volcano hazards program, USGS volcano observatories, volcanic gases, potassium-argon dating activities, and volcano monitoring strategies.…