Proposes the development of state-specific sciences" to overcome the problems of scientifically studying altered states of consciousness induced by drugs or meditation from the paradigm of the ordinary consciousness state. The requirements of good observation, public nature of the observation, logical theorizing, and testing of theories by…

Discusses the National Research Act (H.R. 7724). Provisions of the act, such as the banning of fetal research, circumscribe the freedom of scientists to manage their professional lives as they alone see fit. (PEB)

The National Institute of Health (NIH) is currently seeking a reduction in indirect costs associated with the awarding of research funds. Various issues related to these costs, which are causing tension between university administrators and academic researchers, are discussed. (JN)

Reported is a study of the activities and performance of institutional review boards to protect human research subjects. Institutional review boards had some direct impact on half of the proposals reviewed. The data raised questions about the effectiveness of some review board action. (Author/MP)

Reports on a proposal for intensive study of a system for producing reactor fuel and electricity from repeated underground detonations of thermonuclear explosions. (Author/GS)

The House of Representatives voted that the National Science Foundation (NSF) must submit a list of all proposed grant awards to Congress every 30 days as well as justifications for them. The award of any grant can be vetoed by either house within 30 days. This supplants the current method of peer reviews of grant applications. (MLH)

Discusses competing grant applications both new and renewal, including those for traditional grants (research projects initiated and conducted by individual investigators) and those for program project grants which support multidisciplinary efforts of a relatively large group of investigators. (Author/DS)

Provides a summary of some of the recent activities of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from the perspective of the current director. Emphasizes making NIH better known to the American people and presenting the attractions of the many roles in health-related research to young people formulating career plans. (TW)