Provides top-rated programs (by university) in biochemistry, botany, cellular/molecular biology, microbiology, physiology, and zoology. Overall scores included with each program were obtained from 1,848 biologists who were asked to rate programs in terms of faculty quality and their effectiveness in educating graduate students. (Author/JN)

Laments the neglect of discussion of active transport of plant nutrients from soil to root in general biology textbooks. (AL)

Advances in the genetics and cell biology of muscle development are discussed. In-vitro analysis of the renaturation, polymerization, and three-dimensional structure of the purified proteins involved is described. (CW)

Describes the diversity of plants. Outlines novel developmental and complex genetic processes that are specific to plants. Identifies approaches that can be used to solve problems in plant biology. Cites the advantages of using higher plants for experimental systems. (RT)

New systems for analyzing large numbers of body fluid components can be used in the clinical laboratory. (Author/RH)

Provides comments on research studies related to memory systems, considering those exploring the nature of memory traces. One researcher suggests that memory trace circuits are extremely localized (as opposed to being diffuse), such that a lesion in a rabbit's brain can completely destroy the trace for a particular learned response. (JN)

Analogies can be useful in the study of behavior, physiology, and comparative evolution. Dangers in mistaking a homology for an analogy are discussed. (RH)

Describes some unique features of marsupial reproduction which include (1) chromosomal sex determination, (2) reproductive system, (3) birth, (4) location, and (5) embryonic diapause. These features suggest that viviparity evolved separately in eutherian and marsupial stocks after their derivation from a common oviparous ancestor. Bibliography.…

The Gordon Research Conferences were established to stimulate research in universities, research foundations, and industrial laboratories. The topics for the conferences are listed as well as the locations and scheduled presentations at each conference. (CS)

Reviews the vascular anatomy of the pituitary and discusses a series of 14 questions concerning the functional implications of these anatomical observations. Together these questions attempt to identify whether pituitary hormones are transported directly to the brain to modify brain function. (HM)

Reports on two longitudinal studies of two-year-old children who were extreme in the display of either behavioral restraint or spontaneity in unfamiliar contexts. Indicates that by age seven most of the restrained group were socially avoidant while the spontaneous children were talkative and interactive. (TW)

Reviews observations on domestic animals that have led to the identification of environmental teratogens, and have provided insight into the pathogenesis of congenital defects and genetic diseases in man." (Author/AL)