Addressed is the problem of increasing indirect costs in federally supported research at universities and colleges. Effects of this increase are examined, using data on National Institutes of Health grants to educational institutions for examples. Discussed is the establishment of uniform indirect cost rates to modify the present policy. (CS)

Reviews historical background surrounding the origins of the Competitive Research Grants Office, established in 1978 to support basic research related to agriculture. Describes current controversy within the legislature which threatens its existence. (CS)

Examines the effects of changes and diminishments in financial support and the future of university-based research in Britain. Assesses schemes for finding university research and discusses concerns dealing with selectivity, university collaboration, and the vertical stratification of universities for scientific research. (ML)

Describes the federal reporting requirements of faculty time on federally sponsored research projects, their context, uses made of the figures, and reasons advanced for objecting to such reports. (Author/SK)

Presents the viewpoint of a North American industrialist that the support of basic science by industry is essential for its future growth. (CS)

Reviews a study on deaf native sign language. Indicates that the modification of natural perceptual categories after language acquisition is not bound to a particular transmission modality, but rather can be a more general consequence of acquiring a formal linguistic system. (Author/SK)

Reviews the issue of how to preserve the fruits of research in high technology while at the same time avoiding restrictions on researchers' freedom. One solution proposed by Congress and the current administration would prevent technical data from being transferred overseas as well as other restrictions. (Author/SK)

Traces the history and function of State, Operator, And Result (SOAR), a general-purpose artificial intelligence program for solving problems. The SOAR can "chunk" the result of a subgoal and learn from previous experiences. The SOAR could be applied to various expert systems. (YP)

Provides an overview of basic and applied studies for which primates are appropriate subjects. Summarizes the advantages, limitations, and constraints of using nonhuman primates in research. (RT)

Describes recent research findings in the area of neurobiology and its relationship to learning and memory. The article provides definitions of associative and nonassociative learning, identifies essential memory trace circuits of the mammalian brain, and discusses some neural mechanisms of learning. (TW)

Electronics companies, faced with growing competition from Japan and fearing a shortage of well-trained Ph.D.'s, are pouring unprecedented amounts of cash into university electrical engineering, computer science, and other science departments. Specific examples are cited. (Author/JN)

Reports on efforts in France to reshape science education through a focus on primary and secondary education, higher education, and research and development. (DDR)

Describes the current situation in Canada regarding the consequences of an expected decline in university enrollments, when it was originally expected that the university system would solve problems of society needing science-based solutions. Parallels are drawn with the situation in the United States. (CS)

Describes the historical relationships between the federal government and research universities, particularly with regard to scientific research. Argues that the autonomy of the research university is being undermined by the vast increases in federal funding of applied research contracts, especially those related to national defense, including the…