Provides an overview of the "lux" system of bioluminescence. Supplements a laboratory exercise on bacterial transformation utilizing the "lux" system. (LZ)

Bioluminescence transformation experiments show students the excitement and power of recombinant DNA technology. This laboratory experiment utilizes two plasmids of "Vibrio fischeri" in a transformation experiment. (LZ)

A literature review of autism and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) substantiates a significant association between the two. Studies of 14 autistic probands and 13 TSC probands identified 7 TSC subjects with autism, who had more seizures and mental retardation than those without autism. More male TSC probands with autism than female were…

This article addresses the moral and ethical issues of mental retardation and a continuing legacy of belief in eugenics. It discusses the involuntary sterilization of Carrie Buck in 1927, support for legalized killing of subnormal infants by 47% of respondents to a Mensa survey, and implications of the Human Genome Project for the field of mental…

Describes a learning model that can be used to help students understand the process of genetic translation. (ZWH)

Provides protocols for the isolation and characterization of plasmid from E.coli. (ZWH)

This study evaluated the fragile X status of 116 Japanese patients with autism. None of the subjects was found to have the fragile X condition, a finding which is contrasted with results of 16 other studies. Possible racial factors or methodological complications are suggested as reasons for these findings. (DB)

The Human Genome Project, an effort to sequence all the DNA of a human cell, is needed to better understand the behavior of chromosomes during cell division, with the ultimate goal of understanding the specific genes contributing to specific diseases and disabilities. (MSE)

This study of 11 3-generation families supported the hypothesis of autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance. Data did not support an increased frequency of males, left-handedness, or autoimmune disorders in dyslexics. Severity was greater in males. Long-term outcome was comparable in dyslexics and nondyslexics. (JDD)

Describes the immersion system using analyses problems which was developed to improve students' critical thinking skills in introductory biology courses. Presents examples for college level problem solving procedures. Analyses students' and faculty members' reactions to analysis problems. (YDS)

This study focused on the extent to which the comparison of isomorphic problems might enrich subjects' representations and solving strategies. Results with 166 sixth graders solving isomorphic problems show that comprehension increased as problems were processed and that simultaneous presentation of all problems was more favorable than successive…

Studied 715 twins and singletons to document heritable influences on temperament during toddler and preschool ages. Found substantial shared environmental influence on positive affect and additive genetic influence on emotion regulation. Intraclass correlations from many scales showed no evidence of "too-low" dizygotic correlations that…

Explores the nature of knowledge, particularly the difference between genetic knowledge and cultural knowledge, and its significance for understanding evolution. This exploration is the foundation of a discussion on medical information inherited in genes and accumulated in society. The problems of cultural medical knowledge for evolution are…

This study examined whether the variability in development in fragile X syndrome is related to FMR protein deficiency in 53 young males with various degrees of the syndrome. FMR protein expression accounted for a small but significant amount of variance in level, but not rate, of development. Findings support the hypothesized relationship but…

Studied the genetic influence of low cognitive functioning in 200 pairs of twins aged at least 80 years and identified as not demented. Results suggest that the heritability of low cognitive functioning in this group was nonsignificant, but above-average cognitive functioning shows substantial group heritability. (SLD)