April 25, 1997
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: Bill Noxon
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The new-found capability to clone a mature sheep demands extensive
public discussion and debate, according to NSF Director Neal Lane.
However, that debate may not be possible given the current level of
science literacy, he said.
Speaking at a National Press Club luncheon April 22, Lane used the
recent scientific breakthrough as a vehicle to highlight the need for
increased public knowledge of -- and involvement in -- science issues.
He also repeated his call to scientists and engineers to become more
involved with their communities.
"The American public does not have good grounding for the imminent
debate about cloning," said Lane. Meanwhile, scientists and engineers
lack grounding in conversing with the public about science and its
implications, he added. "As a civilization, we cannot afford for this
situation to continue."
Lane downplayed concerns that the public may not be able to
understand the complexities of science and technology. "I am not
convinced that science and technological literacy, or the ability to
make judgments about science and technology, depends on specific
detailed knowledge. What is needed is the ability to probe, to
question, to grasp concepts and to develop some confidence in the
consensus that forms."
Acknowledging the controversy surrounding potential uses of the new
cloning ability, Lane nonetheless called for a full discussion of the
possibilities. "Let us not be naysayers about new knowledge, nor
timid about technology. Stopping that process (of civilization) is
not an option, but we must direct it, as best we can, always toward
beneficial ends." [Mary Hanson] For the full speech text, see:
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/forum/lane/nl497npc.htm
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A region that's the site of intense, continuing earthquake
activity, and is also home to some 15 million people, needs all the
scientific assistance it can get. Toward that end, the National
Science Foundation has renewed funding for the Southern California
Earthquake Center (SCEC) through the year 2002. Headquartered at the
University of Southern California, SCEC is an NSF Science and
Technology Center that coordinates research on seismic hazards in the
25,000-square-mile area between the Tehachapi Mountains and the
Mexican border, and from the Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River.
The center focuses on collecting data and developing scientific
methods that can be used to protect life and property against
earthquakes in this seismically active region, says Tom Henyey,
director of SCEC.
Under the terms of the agreement, SCEC will receive approximately
$3 million in funding per year for five years, through 2002. "Our
goal is to identify those areas in southern California that are
particularly susceptible to earthquake damage," says David Jackson,
science director of SCEC. "We will provide the scientific basis for
earthquake hazard estimates."
SCEC's primary objective is to develop a "master model" of future
earthquake occurrences and ground-shaking in southern California by
gathering, evaluating, and integrating earth science data from a wide
variety of sources. Says Henyey, "We want to be able to provide
improved forecasts of the earthquake hazard facing our study area over
the next few decades." [Cheryl Dybas]
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The next time you start your car, gaze up at a streaking jet or use
any machine that works with hydraulics, purse your lips. That's more
or less the action of seals that hold fluid in engine crankshafts,
transmissions, wheel assemblies, axle pinions and power steering
systems to keep parts lubricated and moving for smooth, reliable
operation.
Almost every machine and appliance with fluid and a rotating shaft
contains a "lip" seal that looks and works just as it sounds.
Richard Salant, a mechanical engineer at Georgia Institute of
Technology, is working to develop better tools to analyze and redesign
these vital seals for more reliable, durable performance. He has
created mathematical models to analyze air pockets that pepper the
complex microlandscape of lubricating films on the surface of seals,
and can calculate the maximum pressure a seal can contain.
Jorn Larsen-Basse, who directs NSF's Surface Engineering &
Tribology Program, says Salant's research has led to seals which have
greatly helped reduce the environmental hazard of leaking oil from
cars and machinery. Winner of the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers' 1996 Henry R. Worthington Medal for his accomplishments and
their potential benefits to industry, Salant credits two NSF grants
which enabled him to perform much of the work that won the medal.
[George Chartier]
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