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  July 24, 1998: Highlights

All Shook Up

Los Angeles Unexpected Earthquake Threat to L.A.
Prehistoric earthquake evidence recently unearthed near Pasadena, California, is likely to shake up emergency preparedness and building code officials throughout southern California, according to Charles Rubin, a geologist at Central Washington University whose research is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Southern California Earthquake Center. According to Rubin and his colleagues, the Sierra Madre fault, which runs along the southern flank of the San Gabriel Mountains -- and passes less than a dozen miles from downtown Los Angeles -- has produced earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 7.2 to 7.6 on the Richter scale at least twice in the past 15,000 years.    More...

Child Sleeping

Scientists Identify New Gene that Controls Sleep/Wake Cycle
A newly discovered gene called double-time regulates the molecular cycles underlying circadian rhythms, report scientists working through the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s Center for Biological Timing and affiliated with The Rockefeller University in New York. The researchers have also identified the molecular mechanism that allows this gene to work. "We've identified a gene in the fruit fly Drosophila that times the pairing of two proteins essential for circadian rhythms," explains Michael Young, head of the Laboratory of Genetics at Rockefeller. Earlier studies indicated that the genes and proteins governing circadian rhythms in Drosophila play a similar role in humans. More...

Woman looking through microscope

Balance Between Work and Home Concerns Women Scientists and Engineers Most
A nationwide survey of women who last year received grants from the NSF Professional Opportunities for Women in Research and Education (POWRE) finds that their biggest concern, by far, is how to balance what they consider exciting career responsibilities against those of family. The survey was conducted by the University of Florida's Center for Women's Studies and Gender Research. Sixty-eight women scientists and engineers who received grants under POWRE responded to the survey. POWRE is a program designed to provide additional support to women at critical stages in their careers, especially after a career interruption due to family responsibilities.    More...

Mona, the virtual human

"Virtual Human" Can Teach Sign Language
Mona, the Signing AvatarTM, expresses herself through articulated arm and hand movements complemented by life-like facial expressions. The 3D virtual human, developed by Seamless Solutions, Inc. (SSI) of Orlando, Florida, uses all the visual cues necessary to communicate in sign language. Research for the Signing AvatarTM facial animation was begun through the NSF's Small Business Innovation Research Program.    More...


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