Notebook

The National Science Foundation's division of environmental biology recently announced a special grant competition-- called Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy--to stimulate taxonomic research and training. The initiative is spurred by concern over dwindling numbers of younger scientists taking up taxonomy--the study of the general principles of scientific classification--and systematics and the limited knowledge that exists about thousands of species. Specifically, NSF is seeking applicants to submit ideas on how to train future generations of taxonomists and how to translate current expertise into electronic databases to broaden accessibility of taxonomic data, as well as research proj-ects on taxonomy and evolution, especially of little-known species. The deadline for applications is March 1. For more information, contact the division of environmental biology at (703) 306-1480. E-mail: sysrev@nsf.gov. Science students and teachers seeking ideas for classroom science projects or contests can now turn to the Science Experiments and Proj-ects Index. Written and edited by the staff of the Columbus (Ohio) Metropolitan Library, the source describes 8,400 hands-on, interactive experiments and project ideas. The book is published by Fort Atkinson, Wis.- based Highsmith Press, (800) 558-2110 or (414) 563-9571. Beginning this month, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park, N.C., is establishing a clearinghouse to provide information or referrals for questions about health and the environment. Users can call EnviroHealth toll-free at (800) NIEHS94 (643-4794) to receive information about NIEHS research and training programs as well as referrals to other NIH offices; clearinghouses; toll-free numbers; federal, state, and local agencies; and information sources. In keeping with the age-old link between fermentation and religious orders--some of the best wines hail from monasteries--Sister Noella Marcellino, a member of the Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Conn., and a graduate student in microbiology at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, is conducting research on the microbes that flourish in naturally ripened cheeses and how those organisms impart their distinctive flavors and aromas. Her work gained her a Fulbright grant to travel to France for nine months to study the microbes in such specialty cheeses as Camembert and St. Nectaire, which are produced in the Auvergne region. Sister Noella's microbial studies will be conducted in a laboratory in Burgundy, where many traditional cheeses are produced. In addition, she will investigate traditional methods of ripening cheeses in caves. Now available free of charge over the Internet is the full catalog of Yale University's Peabody Museum of Natural History. With more than a million entries, the catalog offers information on the New Haven, Conn., collection's nearly 11 million specimens, including some of the most scientifically significant dinosaur fossils in the world. To access the Peabody database, use the gopher command to connect to "gopher.peabody.yale.edu" at port number 70. For more information, contact Peabody's Lawrence Gall at lawrence.gall@yale.edu. The Grant Application Writer's Handbook, by Liane Reif- Lehrer--a former Harvard Medical School researcher and National Institutes of Health study section member--was issued earlier this month by Boston-based Jones and Bartlett Publishers. The book covers both the psychology and the mechanics of proposal writing, taking readers through the steps of planning, outlining, drafting, revising, and finishing an application. For more information, contact Jones and Bartlett Publishers, One Exeter Plaza, Boston, Mass. 02116; (800) 832-0034. Fax: (617) 859-7675. The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" that expands their collaborative efforts to further develop a spin-off NASA technology--known as microclimate cooling--used to produce lightweight vests, dubbed "cool suits," worn by MS patients who suffer from heat stress. Those donning the suit have experienced improvements in their speech as well as relief from fatigue and other symptoms associated with the disease, according to MSAA. For more information about microclimate cooling and other MSAA services, call (800) 833-4MSA.

Notebook

The Scientist Staff

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