Discusses the optimality of natural selection, ways of testing for optimum solutions to problems of time - or energy-allocation in nature, optimum patterns in spatial distribution and diet breadth, and how best to travel over a feeding area so that food intake is maximized. (JR)

Describes an outreach program designed to expose high school students to cutting-edge science. High school students are provided with hands-on experience in molecular biology (polymerase chain reaction, restriction mapping, chromatography, gel electrophoresis, human DNA sequencing, etc.) and may have an opportunity to participate in the Human…

Summarizes the views of Ernst Mayr on the controversy over evolution which exists between physical scientists and biologists. Discusses the uniqueness of individuals, work by population geneticists and mathematical geneticists, complexity in nature, rates of change, modes of change, and the need to ask "why". (DC)

Presents the viewpoints of a prominent behavioral scientist concerning the role of the environment in the evolution of behavior. (CS)

Proposes a new component in the analysis of a scientific work, which depends on certain thematic elements which underlie scientific endeavor and provide science with what constant identity it has. This "thematic analysis" allows the historian of science to view past science along another dimension. (MLH)

Favorably comments on Gerald Holton's concept of "thematic analysis" as a tool for the historiography of science. The author relates this type of analysis to other disciplines and discusses some of its consequences, including the rejection of relativism in science history. (MLH)

Clustering and other new techniques have changed classificatory principles and practice in many sciences. Discussed are defintions, purposes of classification, principles of classification, and recent trends. (Author/RH)

Analogies can be useful in the study of behavior, physiology, and comparative evolution. Dangers in mistaking a homology for an analogy are discussed. (RH)

A discussion of the possible existence of tachyons, particles that travel faster than light, and their theoretical properties. Suggests that if tachyons were found, the consequences for relativity theory, quantum mechanics and the concept of casuality would be far-reaching. Concludes that the final answer rests with the experimentalist.…

Newton's contribution to measure a phenomenon quantitatively and explain results along the lines of mechanical philosophy has been accepted as a common approach of science. Describes many of the mathematical relationships based on these lines that Newton found about different phenomena. (PS)

Provides a review of the great discoveries, theoretical concepts and development of physics in the 20th century. The growth and significance of diverse fields such as quantum theory, relativity theory, atomic physics, molecular physics, the physics of the solid state, nuclear physics, astrophysics, plasma physics, and particle physics are…

Various critiques of the 20 most important ideas of science as presented in the book "Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy" are reported. A list of these ideas is provided. Different points of view on these ideas are discussed. (CW)