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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: Cheryl Dybas Contents of this News Tip:
NSF RELEASES STUDY ON WEATHER AND CLIMATEWeather scientists disagree about El Niño's potential impact on summer weather conditions in the U.S., according to a National Science Foundation (NSF) survey of 200 American Meteorological Society members. Fifty-three percent of the meteorologists believe that the current El Niño will weaken and allow for a normal summer; however, 34 percent believe El Niño could continue, prompting extreme weather conditions such as flooding, tornadoes and phenomena similar to those experienced across the U.S. in recent months. The survey, which focused on weather and climate issues, was conducted for NSF's National Science & Technology Week (NSTW), April 26-May 2. NSTW is an annual program of educational outreach designed to engage citizens of all ages in science learning and to highlight the many roles science and technology play in our everyday lives. The theme of NSTW '98 is Polar Connections: Exploring the World's Natural Laboratories, which highlights research conducted at the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions. The survey confirms the critical role polar research plays in explaining our weather and climate. Scientists polled almost unanimously agreed (93 percent) that polar research is critical to understanding climate changes, including global warming. In addition, two-thirds (68 percent) stated that the examination of ice cores -- used to predict the next Ice Age -- is the most valuable aspect of polar research. [Sarah Hope Franks] For more information, see: http://www.nsf.gov/nstw. NEW INSIGHT INTO PROTEIN STRUCTURE MAY LEAD TO 'DESIGNER DRUGS'NSF-supported research by scientists Rudolf Gilmanshin and Robert Callender of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Brian Dyer of Los Alamos National Labs have determined the first step in how the protein myoglobin, an essential protein that carries oxygen in cells, folds up. "As an important consequence of this research," explains Kamal Shukla, director of NSF's molecular biophysics program, which funded the research, "it should be possible to design new proteins with desirable properties, as in 'designer drugs,' and also to understand how proteins reach forms that have undesirable consequences, like what happens in 'mad cow disease.'" The research results are published in the May issue of Nature Structural Biology. Proteins, which are long, chainlike molecules made of amino acids, fold into a precisely defined three-dimensional structure with unique properties. Biophysicists have pondered for many years how proteins are able to fold quickly and reliably into their compact shape. The biophysicists have discovered that the two ends of the protein's long chain come into contact with each other, like a snake catching its tail in its mouth. "What's unexpected and remarkable is that this happens so fast--in about 100 microseconds," says Callender. "The structure is not random," explains Callender. "It's very specific. If the wrong structure is formed, then the protein is either not functional, or can have harmful effects, which is what happens in 'mad cow disease.'" [Cheryl Dybas] NSF REACHES 40 STATES WITH EXCESS EQUIPMENTReflecting its commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, NSF recently transferred more than $27 million dollars in federal excess scientific equipment to institutions -- primarily colleges and universities -- in 40 states. "This is not surplus equipment, that is, no longer needed by the federal government. Rather, it is equipment that has become excess to the needs of a particular federal agency," Don Wilkins, NSF property administrator explained. "It is equipment that is often very modern, even leading edge, and can be efficiently utilized on federal projects in other agencies." Over the past 25 years, NSF has transferred scientific equipment valued at almost $1 billion, says Wilkins. He says the success of NSF's effort is due to cooperation with the General Services Administration, other federal agencies and awardee institutions to keep the transfer process streamlined for all parties, with continual improvements made to maintain the integrity of the process. [Bill Noxon]
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