Describes a tandem mirror concept for nuclear fusion. Its basic features is a solenoidal plasma plugged at both ends by "baseball magnets." Could become the basis for a future reactor. (GA)

Highlights activities and scientific accomplishments at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England. Includes comments by staff scientists about their current research endeavors. (JN)

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 helioseismology, the study of solar oscillations. Describes several different projects devoted to this science. Highlights new research and information about the sun. Several illustrations are presented to illustrate events and oscillations. (CW)

Cosmology is the theory by which the structure and history of the universe is described. Discusses the relationship between cosmology, gravity, and quantum mechanics, and whether the relationship can be formulated through Einstein's theory or a modification of it. Also discusses progress made in these scientific areas. (JN)

Universities are looking to industry for help in funding scientific research, but the new partnerships have raised questions about the role of universities. Issues related to these university-industry relationships are discussed, including fundamental differences between academic/industrial goals and possible conflicts arising from these…

Describes the theory and application of an atomic fountain which pushes the atoms by laser pulses. Discusses the applications in measuring atomic properties and in building an atomic clock. (YP)

Brief descriptions of the accomplishments of recent recipients of the National Medal of Science are provided. (CP)

Reviews research done on the nature of vision from a neurologic perspective. Proposes a multiplex filter model to explain patterns in the signals transmitted to the brain from the retina. Describes experiments done to test the model. (CW)

Describes research on the causes, treatments, and diagnoses of autism. Describes a statewide outpatient program in North Carolina which includes elements of behavior modification, developmental assessment, problem-oriented goal setting, community support, and the training of both child and parent. (Author/DS)

Presents arguments against the recent "punctuated equilibrium" point of view expressed by evolutionists Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge. Reviews evidence for continuous and gradual change, as recently cited by four anthropologists in the July 9 issue of "Nature." (CS)

This is a review of important science news stories of 1990 as reported in the pages of this journal. Areas covered include anthropology, astronomy, behavior, biology, biomedicine, chemistry, computers and math, earth sciences, environment, food science, materials science, paleobiology, physics, science and society, and space sciences. (CW)

Reviews the findings of the White House Science Council's survey of the condition of the United States university-research community. Indicates the problems that threaten the quality of academic research and outlines recommendations for its improvement. Funding changes, tax credits, and scholarships are among the panel's suggestions. (ML)

Describes an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution, representing 35 epochal scientific advances. The collection includes part of a collection of 11,000 first editions of such works as Darwin's "Origin of Species" and Lyell's "Principles of Geology." (SA)

Described are the idea of chaos and the ability to control the chaotic behavior of a real-world physical system. Included is an explanation of the methodology and applications in biology and chemistry. (KR)