Describes areas of inorganic chemistry which have changed dramatically in the past year or two, including photochemistry, electrochemistry, organometallic complexes, inorganic reaction theory, and solid state chemistry. (DS)

New research findings about how nerve cells transmit signals are forcing researchers to overhaul their simplistic ideas about the nervous system. Topics highlighted include the multiple role of peptides in the nervous system, receptor molecules, and molecules that form ion channels within membranes. (Author/JN)

Reviews and evaluates the past three attempts at organizing NSF's applied research programs, the Research Applied to National Needs (RANN) in 1977, the Applied Science and Research Applications in 1978, and the Engineering and Applied Science Directorate in 1979. Discusses the National Technology Foundation now being proposed. (CS)

Discusses the process of aging in the brain, including some of the structural and chemical changes that take place in the nerve cells as they age. (CS)

"Partners in the Research Enterprise" was a recent conference sponsored by the Smith-Kline Beckman Corporation. Conferees from industry and academia discussed improving interrelationships between industry and colleges/universities and spotlighted some of the major problems that remain. (Author/JN)

Discusses various topics and issues related to the scientific enterprise in Cuba. Notes that Cuban science is emphasizing biotechnology and research on the island's chief crop (sugarcane), although hampered by limited personnel and lack of modern laboratory equipment. (JN)

Discusses direct chemical information that can be obtained from modern nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods, concentrating on the types of problems that can be solved. Shows how selected methods provide information about polymers, bipolymers, biochemistry, small organic molecules, inorganic compounds, and compounds oriented in a magnetic…

Indicates that although the costs of sophisticated state-of-the-art instruments are needed for chemical research, federal agency funding assumptions lag far behind. Issues related to these costs, including an estimate of what the National Science Foundation departmental budget should be, are discussed. (JN)

Briefly discusses new instrumentation in the field of analytical chemistry. Advances in liquid chromatography, photoacoustic spectroscopy, the use of lasers, and mass spectrometry are also discussed. (CS)

Examines issues and trends related to university/industry research relationships. Indicates that critics insist that universities are violating obligations to science and society by marketing expertise to industry. In addition, small colleges feel left out of the trend. (JN)

Describes the launching of the Council for Chemical Research, a nonprofit organization with the major goal of boosting industry's financial support for academic research in chemistry and chemical engineering. Includes the results of a survey of industry support for university research. (DS)

Outlined is a concept for bringing the chemical industry and the universities together in chemical research. Objectives listed are to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between academe and the chemical industry, to work toward improving the national climate for creativity and innovation, and to promote education and funding in chemical…

A Twentieth Century Fund task force indicates that industry funding of academic research is not harmful to academic values if guidelines are followed. Some of the recommendations made by the task force are listed. One recommendation is that title to patents resulting from joint projects should be held by the university. (JN)

Announces the availability of grants from the National Bureau of Standards for the compilation of reliable reference data and the weeding out of faulty data. The grants are in response to the demand for data in all areas of science and technology. (Author/SA)

Presents highlights of a December 1985 report on Soviet scientific capabilities. One finding is that a new emphasis on computing advances and instrumentation may weaken basic research in this country. (JN)