PARTICLE physicists at Fermilab near Chicago may have sighted the elusive "top" quark, one of the smallest constituents of matter (Science, Vol 258, No 5086; New Scientist, Vol 136, No 1851). An

PRESIDENT Bill Clinton wants American research to adopt the Japanese stress on industrial applications. But his call may have come too late as Japanese scientists are switching their thrust to basic

Despite advancements, research programmes in rice biotechnology heve drawn lukewarm response because it is felt that there is little money to be made from the new varities.

The Rockefeller Foundation aims at balancing priorities in rice biotechnology research between agronomic traits that would enable production in less favoured environments and properties that would help increase yield. There is alsd emphasis on achieving r

Scientists have genetically engineered specific antibodies to prevent organ rejection in transplants and to combat cancer. This opens up new possibilities in medical immunology.

The discovery of a simple procedure for synthesis of a new crystalline form of carbon has opened up immense possibilities in the field of superconductivity.

Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in treating this old age disease, with the discovery that abnormal production of proteins, called amyloids, causes nerve cell degeneration.

Britain and USA have followed hard on the heels of the German eco angel, but, unfortunately, most such schemes continue to remain "green froth".

The new US Environmental Protection Agency administrator Carol Browner, the new Environmental Protection Agency administrator, has a tough job ahead, balancing ecology and industry.