Assesses the state of applied Japanese studies in American universities, offering suggestions for curriculum improvement, providing data on 15 programs, and describing six programs (including one at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Indicates that few science/technology majors take Japanese despite strong present and future needs for…

Presents an annotated list of technical and non-technical astronomy books. Topic areas of non-technical books include general astronomy, amateur astronomy, computers and astronomy, history of astronomy, pseudoscience, space exploration, physics and astronomy, and textbooks. Each entry includes author, title, description, source, and current cost.…

Describes (1) an inexpensive photogate, (2) one use for a "dead" ammeter, (3) photogate addition for visual and audio signal, and (4) a photogate housing constructed from a plastic water pipe. (JN)

Examined personality (persistence, future orientation, and the tendency toward reckless/rash behavior) and cognitive factors related to success or failure in college science courses. One finding noted is that both men and women were more apt to attribute their success to effort/ability, and their failure to the difficulty of a task. (JN)

Investigated methods science and nonscience majors use to make predictions about five situations involving the conservation of mechanical energy. Two findings, among others, show that subjects did not employ identifiable strategies in over 97 percent of the cases and show differences in the way majors and nonmajors worked the problems given.…

Presents information on the population density, breeding biology, habitats, and food of the magpie bird ("Pica pica"). Suggests and outlines several student projects that have been beneficial in teaching animal behavior and ecology. These investigations focus on diet, territory size, and food hoarding. (DH)

First-year college chemistry students (N=359) were surveyed to determine how high school chemistry prepared them for college chemistry and to make recommendations to high school students preparing to take college chemistry. Survey results and recommendations are presented. (JN)

Presented results from the annual survey of physiology department chairpersons on: faculty characteristics (degrees held, tenured/not tenured, unfilled positions); graduate students and postdoctoral fellows; training support; trainee characteristics (race, research area); faculty salaries (various levels, medical/nonmedical); and budgets. (DH)

Discusses whether biotechnology commercial application will significantly inhibit the free flow of information traditional in academic environments. Background factors, crux of the concern, assessment, and current options are given. Although little evidence that industry-university collaboration has impaired academic molecular genetics exists,…

Describes less-publicized situations in the biological sciences concerning problems of openness and communication among scientists. Topics addressed include information networks and rules, international communications, balance of power within institutions and fields, openness to whom and on what terms, and scientists as experts. (DH)

Examines the types of science created due to organizational demands, considering: centrality of peer review, university-industry partnerships, "pork barrell" funding, research misconduct, impositions of basic science, and other topics areas. "Openness" has become a matter for political debate, not scientific judgment alone. (DH)

Conflicts between requirements for national security and open scientific communication have resulted from government restraints. Various First Amendment issues are addressed, including: government's case; constitutional status; values of free expression; and federal funding. Indicates that scientists should not expect guaranteed freedom from…

A pilot project was initiated in 1979 at the University of Delhi to develop low-cost, locally produced science equipment. This article: (1) describes the pilot project; (2) presents examples of the low-cost equipment produced; and (3) discusses how the approach used rather than the equipment developed is disseminated. (JN)

Presents abstracts and detailed schedules for the 1985 summer meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers. Participants and descriptions for various workshops and symposia are listed. Topic areas include: computers; lecture and demonstration techniques; commercial presentations; radios; laboratories; and others. Includes status report…

Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis developed the Weekend College, a program specially planned for working adult learners. Describes this program (which offers courses on Saturdays and Sundays) and a five-credit laboratory course in human physiology. Instructional strategies used and advantages/disadvantages of weekend courses are…