Recent research has identified a karrikin (a butenolide derative) known as 3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one, formed from burning cellulose, that stimulates seed germination. Here, I present ideas on how to investigate the influence of karrikins on seed germination in the laboratory.

In this essay I explore a number of questions about purposes and methods in science education research prompted by my reading of Wesley Pitts' ethnographic study of interactions among four students and their teacher in a chemistry classroom in the Bronx, New York City. I commence three "lines of flight" (small acts of Deleuzo-Guattarian…

This paper draws on a study of the BHP Billiton Science Awards to explore the ways in which open investigation work occurs in schools. The research used interviews with teachers and students and state organisers to develop a picture of what happens on the ground in running student open investigations, and to trace how schools have built a culture…

As technology and science advance, the boundary between the disciplines begins to blur, emphasizing that it is now, more than ever, a requirement to have a solid background in multiple fields to fully understand emerging scientific advances. As faculty, we need to equip our undergraduate students not only with an introduction to these modern…

Discusses a report prepared by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which concludes that the issues of scientific freedom and responsibility are inseparable. The report declares that scientific freedom is necessary for the advancement of knowledge, but that certain areas of research, such as that involving human test subjects,…

The biological research, of Gottfried Schatz at the University of Basel and Gunter Blobel at Rockefeller University, which explains a mechanism by which mitochondrial proteins are transported across membranes is described. Results indicate that the construction and heredity of mitochondria have surprising differences from other cell processes. (BT)

Synchrotron radiation is a unique form of radiation that spans the electro-magnetic spectrum from X-rays through the ultraviolet and visible into the infrared. Tunable monochromators enable scientists to select a narrow band of wavelengths at any point in the spectrum. (Author/BB)

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)

Two projects concerning the relationship between management capability and communication activities are described; both are considered interdisciplinary projects. Involved were researchers and practitioners from engineering and natural science fields as well as those from the social and managerial sciences. The objectives of the research were to:…

Reported are the results of the 1975 survey of federal and industrial spending for research and development (R&D) activities. Data are presented for comparison with 1974 data. Major findings include: R&D spending rose 5%, to $23.5 billion; Federal funds to R&D rose 5%, to $8.8 billion; industry funds to R&D rose 5%, to $14.8…

This is the first article of a two-part series on how research can help reduce the hazards of earthquakes. It deals with attempts to predict quakes so that people can get out of the way. (Author/HM)

An introduction to the new field of wind engineering is presented. (BB)

The Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation is fundamental to the study of heterogeneous catalysis, and forms a basis of the study of bimolecular heterogeneous reaction rates. (BB)

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)

Describes the experimental techniques and discusses the results of a study of energy flow at the species level, using the silk moth Bombyx mori. (JR)