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Sciences Date: December 7, 1992 The energetic young field of computational biology is looking to the coming generation of massively parallel computers for its future, researchers say. These machines, enhanced by the contributions of computer scientists who are developing innovative programming tactics, will be crucial in allowing biological researchers to reach ambitious goals. "Parallel computers are going to let this field take off," says Andrew McCammon, a theoretical chemist at the Unive

Influence On Lab Research Date: December 7, 1992 For the scientists who won this year's Nobel prizes in chemistry and in physiology or medicine, a commanding citation record, as determined by the Philadelphia-based Institute for Scientific Information, was a clear indication that they were in the running for this most coveted award. The prize in physics, however, went to a French physicist at CERN whose citation history, although impressive, has not been nearly as meteoric as the other recipi

James J. Stoker, a former director of New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, died October 19 in Greenwood, N.Y. He was 87 years old. Stoker assumed the director position in 1958 when the institute's founder, Richard Courant, retired. Stoker specialized in using mathematical analysis to determine water flow and flood waves of rivers and large reservoirs. Among his books were Differential Geometry (New York, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1969) and Water Waves (Wiley, 1957).

Despite some concerns over the potential for harm to innovation at small firms and undue influence and increased bureaucracy at the agency, government and industry analysts are expressing enthusiasm for a statute requiring pharmaceutical companies to pay "user fees" to the United States Food and Drug Administration. The additional 600 reviewers the fees will finance, they say, will result in decreased review time that will reduce corporate cost, increase government efficiency, and, ultimately,

Five months after it was delivered, a July letter from the National Academy of Sciences to a foreign associate member suggesting that he resign because of his alleged anti-Semitic activities is still generating controversy. Correspondence expressing support for the move, as well as letters protesting it, continue to arrive at the NAS office; two scientific societies have joined the chorus of supporters. The issue has focused attention on the criteria for membership in the academy, prompting so

Stamp Of Approval Starring Roles For Women Scientists Sold! To The Fittest Bidder Gone Fishin' Cosmic Collaboration Mice At Risk Although it isn't receiving as much publicity as the Elvis Presley stamp to be issued January 1, a stamp honoring a noted African American scientist will be available next month. Percy Lavon Julian, who pioneered the chemical synthesis of drugs, is to be featured on a 29-cent stamp as part of the U.S. Postal Service's commemorative Black Heritage Series. Julia

Science policy leaders are applauding the findings of a Carnegie Commission task force that has called for establishing a new, nongovernmental "national forum" to develop long-term science and technology goals for the United States. Frank Press, president of the National Academy of Sciences, says he hopes that steps can be taken quickly to implement the study group's recommendation that the forum be based within the NAS complex. "The procedure will be for us to make a proposal to the Carnegie

Date: November 23, 1992 In the first major move toward translating into research the National Institutes of Health's "largest coordinated study of women's health ever undertaken," a coordinating center has been named. Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will be overseeing research efforts and analyzing the data from up to 45 clinical centers, the first 15 of which will be identified by NIH in March. Each center will employ about nine researchers. During the course of the Women's

Cornelius J. Pings, due to become president of the Association of American Universities (AAU) February 15, will be a strong advocate for university-based basic science, say academic investigators, research administrators, and Washington policy professionals. Fifty-six United States and two Canadian universities with strong research programs constitute the 92-year-old AAU's membership. The institutions, about half public and half private, are represented by their chief executive officers. Base

Two government agencies have granted Dartmouth College nearly $445,000 to organize a curriculum and develop a course plan designed to teach budding scientists about research ethics. The designers of the project anticipate that the educational materials, once they are published, will be used by other schools developing similar programs. The Dartmouth effort consists of two distinct projects organized by the school's Institute for the Study of Applied and Professional Ethics. Both the National S

A scientific society's burgeoning growth is usually seen as unadulterated good news for its members, promising, among other things, increased political clout for their discipline. But according to some scientists, very large societies can also have a downside. Size-related problems may include a disproportionate skewing of a society's focus away from small but important subdisciplines, and meetings whose overloaded formats make it hard for attendees to focus on science, researchers say. Some a

Eyes Forward Xenotransplant IIf Microchip Masterpieces Physicists, China Collide Prehistoric Desk Reference In one of his last public appearances before the 1992 presidential election, White House science adviser D. Allan Bromley dwelled somewhat on the past but set his sights on the future. In Philadelphia October 19 to accept an honorary doctorate of science from Drexel University, Bromley, during the presentation ceremony, lauded the Bush administration's achievements in science duri