November 1993

only slowing down hiring but also laying off their current employees. Last month, for example, Pfizer Inc., headquartered in New York, announced that it would eliminate 3,000 jobs; Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Upjohn Co. announced plans to cut 1,500 jobs; and Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly & Co. announced 4,000 planned layoffs. The displaced scientists are "excellent hires for us," says Ed Bocko, Jr., a biotechnology human resource consultant for Protran Resources Inc. of Sharon, Mass., &

Foundation, the History of Science Society has seen the development of a number of specialized historical interest groups under its umbrella. In fact, the society has endeavored to remain a unifying instrument for the new groups, rather than see the field become fragmented, says society executive secretary Keith R. Benson. Benson is also a professor of medical history and ethics at the University of Washington, Seattle, and archivist for the history and philosophy of biology division of the Amer

Tobia, so only groups of two to four students can enter, not individuals. "And we encourage a diversity of expertise among the team members," she says. An entry consists of an essay up to 12 pages long describing a community problem, some history and measures already taken to address it, a detailed description of the science-based solution, and a discussion of possible positive and negative consequences of the proposed fix. Arthur Eisenkraft, a physics teacher and science coordinator

rewarded years later with the Nobel Prize. Donald J. Cram, Saul Winstein Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, won the 1987 Nobel in chemistry for his research into host-guest chemistry, a field he helped create. Cram, 74, began focusing on host-guest chemistry as his main interest in 1970. The field involves the creation of synthetic host molecules that mimic some of the actions performed by enzymes in cells. The host molecules attract and bind to specifi

Frederick Goodwin and Adrian Morrison misinterpreted my statements regarding animal experimentation in their commentary of Sept. 6, 1993 ("In Animal Rights Debate, The Only Valid Moderates Are Researchers," page 12). The point I made was that medical research is based primarily on studies of human individuals or populations, along with examination of human tissues and cells. Those who use animals as inexact substitutes always encounter problems of extrapolation to humans, often with grave con

I differ somewhat with the views expressed by Alvin M. Weinberg ("How Do We Identify Science's Most Worthwhile Problems?" The Scientist, July 26, 1993, page 11). I believe individual scientists select a problem because they know its solution would be of considerable interest to them and, possibly, to other scientists and the general public. The practice of science is defined as the conduct of research, which includes theory, experimental design, observation, measurement, and interpretation an

F. Hillenkamp, M. Karas, R.C. Beavis, B.T. Chait, "Matrix- associated laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of biopolymers," Analytical Chemistry, 63:A1193-A1202, 1991. Franz Hillenkamp (Institut fur Medizinische Physik und Bio-physik, Anster, Germany): "Mass spectrometry is a very accurate, sensitive, and informative technique that has considerable analytical potential in modern molecular biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology. Among the most important molecules of interest to biol

p.17 A.A. Levin, L.J. Sturzenbecker, S. Kazmer, T. Bosakowski, C. Huselton, G. Allenby, J. Speck, C. Kratzeisen, M. Rosenberger, A. Lovey, J.F. Grippo, "9-Cis retinoic acid stereoisomer binds and activates the nuclear receptor RXRa," Nature, 355:359-61, 1992. Arthur A. Levin and Joseph F. Grippo (Department of Toxicology and Pathology, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, N.J.): "The biologic activities of the all-trans (t) isomer of retinoic acid (RA) are mediated through the binding and activati

In just over a decade, genetically engineered mice have brought dramatic changes to the biomedical sciences, offering basic researchers ways to detect the influences of single genes and more clinically oriented investigators compellingly close models of human disease. Of Aging A small California foundation that does not accept grant applications has nonetheless gained ground as an unusually flexible seed funder and advocate for research in the biology of aging. Researchers and officials

Charles M. Rick, a researcher in tomato genetics and an emeritus professor of vegetable crops at the University of California, Davis, received the $10,000 Alexander von Humboldt Award in a ceremony on the Davis campus October 25. The award is given annually by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, which has headquarters in both Germany and the United States. The foundation presents the award to the individual it deems to have made the most significant contribution to American agriculture durin