Discusses the conflicting evidence and points of view presented by scientists involved in research on the nature of memory. The research of one group supports a chemical basis for memory, while the other group presents evidence supporting an electro-physiological basis. (JR)

The emphasis of the humanistic aspects of physics and the need to make physics understandable to the public are viewed as important in reestablishing public and political support for scientific research. (CP)

Reviews budget changes made by President Carter in the following science areas: basic science research; fusion research and breeder reactor projects; oil and gas recovery; coal conversion techniques; and space exploration. (CS)

Summarizes the result of research which considers the effect of women's hormone level on specific skills. Reports that low estrogen levels allow women to excel at spatial skills, but perform poorly at complex motor tasks and speech articulation. Discusses some implications and further research ideas. (YP)

The Big Bang Theory and alternatives to the Big Bang Theory as an explanation for the origin of the universe are discussed. The importance of the discovery of redshift, the percentage of hydrogen found in old stars, and the existence of a uniform sea of radiation are explained. (KR)

Describes a study that indicates children originating from families in which low intelligence, poor school achievement and social inadequacy are prevalent, tend to follow the same pattern. Indicates that direct changes in life circumstances in the formative years can have an effect on subsequent achievements of the child. (GS)

Reports on data that indicate that sexual stereotyping is psychologically damaging. Describes a study that involved assessment of the sexual stereotypes of children 5, 9, and 14 years old and a program designed to reduce stereotyping. (GS)

Describes two new microscopes, the acoustic microscope and a scanning transmission microscope, both of which promise to yield fresh insights, based on revolutionary techniques into cellular biology. (BR)

Discusses the Viking Mars project, including economic aspects, the schedule of planned experiments, and technical details of the landing vehicle and its intended missions. (MLH)

Describes the active role which regional Japanese laboratories are playing in specific fields of applied research such as: (1) pollution of the sea; (2) developing methods of coping with the exceptional variety of natural disasters; and (3) preparing for earthquake. (HM)

Reviews current research being conducted to harness the energy of the sun. (SL)

Reviews topics discussed during the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting held in Washington, D.C. Topics included: the equal rights amendment, laetrile, nuclear radiation hazards, sociobiology, and various science topics. (SL)

Provides a review of important science news stories of 1977 as reported in the pages of SCIENCE NEWS. Volume and page numbers for each reference are given. (CP)

The discovery of a superconducting organic compound is reported. The compound, (TMTSF)-2, has no metal in its composition, and the author believes that it is the precursor of a family of superconducting organics. (Author/SA)