Reports on scientific research with rats which has found that electrical stimulation in areas of the brain can trigger behavioral effects similar to those produced by narcotic drugs. (CP)

Reviews 1978 and 1979 estimates for federal funding for Research and Development obligations and outlays. Funding for the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are discussed in detail. (SL)

Describes the rationale behind the construction of a private observatory by seven astronomers. Lists pertinent factors that should be considered in the creation of an observatory. (CP)

Describes research conducted related to the disease of senility; indicates it is different from normal aging. (SL)

Reviews current ideas and research findings related to the flow patterns of mantle rocks. Highlights the components of the two-layer convection and whole-mantle models of mantle flow. Proposes that mantle flow is the key to understanding how the earth has cooled and chemically evolved. (ML)

Contains a description of the organization of the Primate Research Centers and some of the research being conducted there. (CP)

This is a six-page review of important events related to science that were reported in 1979 issues of Science News. Each announcement appears with the volume and page numbers of the issues in which the articles appeared. (Author/SA)

Describes a two-year experiment to begin in July 1977 in which a Yugoslavian, Milutin Veljkovic, will stay underground to study the human physiological and psychological adjustment to the isolation of the cave. Only contact with outside world will be a computer terminal linked to researchers above ground. (CS)

Research on the structure, growth, development, and loss of hair in humans is reviewed. Studies designed to investigate methods of hair restoration using minoxidil and other compounds and treatments are discussed. (CW)

Presents new guidelines set by the National Science Board on disclosing the peer review process and expresses continuing support for educational innovation. (GS)

Describes proceedings of the appropriations subcommittee in which the National Science Foundation is charged with supporting an academic oligarchy, presenting unequal employment opportunities, and sponsoring projects of dubious value. The National Science Foundation Director H. Guyford Stever replies to these charges. (GS)

Relates occurrences at the Asilomar conference that led to the drafting of guidelines for gene-transplant research. The guidelines allow some experiments, defer others until safer containment is available, and ban those considered highly dangerous. (GS)

An electrical engineer and phoneticist has taught himself to read voiceprints, spectrograms that display a plot of the sound frequency of speech against time. This technique may prove useful in training the deaf to read voiceprints or to mimic natural speech. (BB)

Reviews current theories concerning the physics of the sun. (SL)

Presented is a review of important science news stories reported in Science News during 1976. Most items include a volume and page number reference to the issue of Science News in which the article appeared. Items are grouped under general major headings such as: space, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, etc. (SL)