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A Peek Inside Old FaithfulOctober 11, 1997 | Volume 152 | Number 15 Cover: Each year an estimated 2.4 million people thrill to the sight of Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful -- but what makes the geyser tick? Geologist used a video camera and other probes to discover a few of the Old Faithful's innermost secrets. (Photo: National Park Service) |
Features:
TimeLine
Food for Thought
Missing Enzyme Incites Cancer Debate
Cells from mice lacking an enzyme called telomerase still form tumors, raising doubts that cancers can be thwarted by inhibiting the enzyme, which protects the tips of chromosomes.
Bubbles burst stable chemical bonds
By concentrating energy into bubbles, high-pressure liquid jets can drive chemical reactions.
Prion proponent wins Nobel for medicine
The 1997 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine is given to Stanley B. Prusiner, who provided evidence that a protein can act as an infectious agent.
Mental disorders tied to teen parenthood
Young people who encounter mental disorders such as depression and substance abuse face a greater likelihood of having children during their teenage years.
Water link to frog deformities strengthened
An unidentified agent in the water from wetlands in Minnesota causes deformities in laboratory tests on frog embryos.
Plant estrogens may ward off breast cancer
Women who eat whole grain foods and other rich sources of phyto-oestrogens are less likely to have breast cancer.
Full report of nuclear test fallout released
The National Cancer Institute reported on nationwide exposure to fallout from 90 atmospheric nuclear tests conducted throughout the 1950s and 1960s at the Nevada Test Site.
Big gun: Pistol shines in the infrared
Astronomers have obtained a detailed look at what could be the brightest star in the heavens.
Research Notes:
Biomedicine
Combating corneal transplant rejection
A new immunization technique may lessen rejection of corneal transplants.
A better understanding of pterygia
Pterygia, cloudy growths on the eye, are caused by sunlight exposure.
Sweet dreams for contact lenses
New permeable contact lenses avoid bacterial binding and eye infections.
Articles:
Inside Old Faithful
Scientists look down the throat of a geyser
A miniature video camera loaded into Yellowstone National Park's "Old Faithful" between eruptions revealed a narrowing that helps explain the geyser's behavior.
Toothsome Technology
Scientists strive to improve dental materials
Dental restorations made with tougher composites and ceramics may last longer, reducing trips to the dentist.
Improving the accuracy of the decennial count
Despite strong support from statisticians, the Census Bureau's plan to increase the use of sampling in the next census has met resistance in Congress.
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