Major bases of concern in biomedical research community are identified, particularly those related to the unexpected year-to-year and institute-to-institute variations in support from NIH. (AL)

The demographics of academic science are changing with the increase in the number of doctoral level researchers who are excluded from the traditional faculty tenure track, but hold research posts on open-ended terms. (Author/BB)

Examines the effects of increased industrial funding on academic research in science. Highlights the funding arrangements at Carnegie-Mellon University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and discusses the impact of university-industry ties. (ML)

Social, medical, and technological innovations are discussed, first with reference to historical examples and then with modern studies. The need for evaluating both the innovations themselves and the research processes leading to them is also discussed. Suggests needed research and explains new initiatives by AAAS in science and engineering…

Discusses a study on the areas of concern in the relationship between government funding agencies and university based research programs. The conclusions about accountability which resulted from the study are given. (SA)

Describes programs used by European countries and companies for advancing the commercialization of biotechnology. Compares European strategies and efforts in biotechnology with those undertaken in the United States. Includes listings of the European countries and the areas of biotechnology research. (ML)

Reports the detection of magnetic fields associated with the flow of electric current in the human brain in response to electrical stimulation of the fingers. (SL)

Discusses current research relating to the use of pheromones as a means of controlling insect pests. These chemicals, which are secreted by insects to affect the behavior of other individuals of the same species, may be used to eliminate pests without destroying their predators and other beneficial insects. (JR)

Summarizes events of a conference on evolutionary biology in Chicago entitled: "Macroevolution." Reviews the theory of modern synthesis, a term used to explain Darwinism in terms of population biology and genetics. Issues presented at the conference are discussed in detail. (CS)

The Gordon Research Conferences were established to stimulate research in universities, research foundations, and industrial laboratories. The topics for the conferences are listed as well as the locations and scheduled presentations at each conference. (CS)

Provides a summary of some of the recent activities of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from the perspective of the current director. Emphasizes making NIH better known to the American people and presenting the attractions of the many roles in health-related research to young people formulating career plans. (TW)

Stresses the importance of investigating bacterial mechanisms to discover clues for a greater understanding of cells. Cites examples of study areas of biological significance which may reveal information about the evolution of prokaryotes and eukaryotes and lead to a comprehensive theory of cell biology. (RT)

Discusses the difficulties and challenges of doing basic research in science in a research university. Emphasizes the need for revising the Office of Management and Budget's Circular A-12 which imposes regulatory demands and work-load documentation on government-sponsored research in universities. (CS)

The report of the National Academy of Sciences validates the interdisciplinary team approach to the study of ecosystems as well as the use of systems analysis that will aid policy makers in decisions of resource management. (BR)

Reports the outcome of a meeting in which 21 of the world's more prominent scientists and philosophers of science attempted to analyze the creative process in science and medicine and explore ways in which scientific creativity might be taught. (JR)