Ozone uptake by bean leaves

The removal of ozone from the air by bean leaves is regulated by the same factors that control the exchange of water vapor between leaves and the atmosphere.     

Flunarizine protects neurons from death after axotomy or NGF deprivation

Systemically administered flunarizine enhanced neuronal survival in lumbar sensory ganglia in newborn rats after axotomy. Flunarizine-treated rats lost 71 percent fewer neurons than the untreated control rats at the end of 1 week. In cell culture, flunarizine at 30 to 40 microM also prevented neuronal death in nerve growth factor-dependent embryonic sensory and sympathetic neurons after the abrupt withdrawal of neurotrophic support. The drug may cause this effect by acting at an intracellular site, one distinct from its blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels.     

Goals and Trends of Research in Geology and Geography

Summarizing in a few words the essence of the preceding analysis of goals and trends in research in Geology and Geography, we may say that the goal in Geology is a knowledge and understanding of the earth and of its history. In Geography it is a knowledge and understanding of the natural and human environments, to the end that they may best be utilized toward better living in the broadest sense. Trends in research in these sciences that seem not altogether desirable are those toward overorganization of research and overdirection from others than the ones who are to do the work; toward indiscriminate fact-gathering; toward lessening of critical analysis of, and discussion of, papers given at meetings and of the published results; and toward premature publication and excessive volume of publications resulting from the prevailing practice of soliciting papers for scientific meetings. Changes in methods of financing of research resulting from a great decrease in endowment incomes are noted, together with a strong tendency to look toward the Federal Government for the financing of university research, in spite of the obvious dangers to university freedom which such financing involves.     

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and the adult muscle sodium channel alpha-subunit gene

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by episodes of muscle weakness due to depolarization of the muscle cell membrane associated with elevated serum potassium. Electrophysiological studies have implicated the adult muscle sodium channel. Here, portions of the adult muscle sodium channel alpha-subunit gene were cloned and mapped near the human growth hormone locus (GH1) on chromosome 17. In a large pedigree displaying HYPP with myotonia, these two loci showed tight linkage to the genetic defect with no recombinants detected. Thus, it is likely that the sodium channel alpha-subunit gene contains the HYPP mutation.