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July 10, 2000

For more information on these science news and feature story tips, please contact the public information officer at the end of each item at (703) 292-8070. Editor: Amber Jones

Contents of this News Tip:

• ARMORED MICROBES COULD LEAD TO NEW BIOCHIPS
• NSF TELESCOPES FEATURED ON POSTAGE STAMPS
• NSF FUNDS THE FIRST ARCTIC ARCHIVAL OBSERVATORY

Armored Microbes Could Lead to New Biochips

Researchers supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) have reported the discovery of organisms that form a protective armor of nearly perfect crystals from the atoms on the surface of a silicon or germanium semiconductor. This characteristic could be exploited to make faster, more stable biochips for use in the next generation of information technology, the researchers believe. "Instead of putting cells 'on' a chip, this research indicates they can be put 'in' a chip, potentially reducing the steps needed to manufacture and operate bio-based electronic components," said Robert Baier of the NSF Center for Biosurfaces at State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. Scientists and engineers at two other NSF research centers participated in the research: the Center for Microcontamination Control at the University of Arizona and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York and the Center for Environmentally Benign Semiconductor Manufacturing at the University of Arizona. The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, also supported the research. [Amber Jones]		Organisms living on and within pure germanium crystals. Photo credit: NSF I/U Center for Biosurfaces. Select image for larger version (Size: 212K)  Note About Images

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NSF Telescopes Featured on Postage Stamps

A set of stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service this week will feature a subject that is "out of this world" -- the exploration of space. The stamps include photographs of ground-based astronomical observatories, including three NSF national facilities used by thousands of astronomers to explore this frontier.

One stamp depicts NSF's Very Large Array, made up of 27 radio telescopes located in the New Mexico desert, which have the resolving power of a telescope 36 kilometers (22 miles) in diameter. They also feature the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, 305 meters (1,000 feet) in diameter, at the NSF Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.They show the optical telescopes of the NSF Cerro TololoInter-American Observatory in Chile.

The three observatories are part of a large network of federal facilities available to scientists conducting astronomical research.

The telescopes will be depicted on 60-cent international rate stamps and on commemorative stamp sheets issued at the World Stamp Expo 2000 in Anaheim, Calif. [Amber Jones]

To order the new stamps, see "Space Achievement and Exploration" at http://www.stampsonline.com/

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NSF Funds the First Arctic Archival Observatory

NSF has awarded $1.1 million to the University of Alaska Museum to create an Arctic archival observatory. The observatory builds on the museum's foundation in collecting, cataloging, preserving and studying samples of Alaska's natural history, according to museum director Aldona Jonaitis.

"With our comprehensive collection of Arctic and sub-Arctic biological specimens and research projects performed in partnership with scientists at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, we're perfectly suited to serve as a regional observatory for Alaska and the circumpolar north," Jonaitis said.

The museum is home to more than 300,000 specimens--from polar dinosaur fossils to migratory birds collected throughout the Arctic and sub-Arctic. With NSF's support, the museum will develop an extensive insect collection to help scientists understand factors that affect the changing climate of the far north.

"Insects are the most diverse land organisms, and are strong indicators of changes in an ecosystem," says the museum's chief curator, Joe Cook.

Researchers use specimens housed at the museum to study changes in stable isotope ratios, emerging pathogens, population distribution and genetics. [Cheryl Dybas]

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