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The article focuses on the short story "Unknown Masterpiece" of novelist Honoré de Balzac and its ability to be spotted in the fields of science and art of the future. Topics mentioned include the abstract sculpture made by French sculptue Auguste Rodin in memory of Balzac, the intergration of the short story in The Human Comedy, a collection of novels and short stories, and the influence to Spanish painter Pablo Picasso's artworks.

The author discusses the differences witnessed in the field of medical science. He tries to establish a relation between researcher Bernard Kartz's study of calcium in triggering rapid neurotransmitters release with studies of executive vice president of biotechnology firm Genetech Inc. Richard H. Scheller and professor Thomas C. S&#252dhof. He further compares the development of coehler implant by physician Graeme M. Clark and colleagues with studies in the same by otologist William F. House.

A foreword to book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" is presented.

A foreword to the journal "Nature Medicine" is presented.

A foreword to the journal "Nature Medicine" is presented.

A foreword to "Nature Medicine" is presented.

The article focuses on awards for the field of science and medicine. The Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society of London, England was first given in 1824 to Charles Babbage, a professor of mathematics at the University of Cambridge. Scientists who received the Lasker Basic Award for the discovery of tiny RNAs are Victor Ambros, Gary Ruvkun and David Baulcombe.

A foreword to the journal "Nature Medicine" is presented.

In our Solar System, the planets formed by collisional growth from smaller bodies. Planetesimals collided to form Moon-to-Mars-sized protoplanets in the inner Solar System in 0.1–1 Myr, and these collided more energetically to form planets. Insights into the timing and nature of collisions during planetary accretion can be gained from meteorite studies. In particular, iron meteorites offer the best constraints on early stages of planetary accretion because most are remnants of the oldest bodies, which accreted and melted in <1.5 Myr, forming silicate mantles and iron-nickel metallic cores. Cooling rates for various groups of iron meteorites suggest that if the irons cooled isothermally in the cores of differentiated bodies, as conventionally assumed, these bodies were 5–200 km in diameter. This picture is incompatible, however, with the diverse cooling rates observed within certain groups, most notably the IVA group, but the large uncertainties associated with the measurements do not preclude it. Here we report cooling rates for group IVA iron meteorites that range from 100 to 6,000 K Myr-1, increasing with decreasing bulk Ni. Improvements in the cooling rate model, smaller error bars, and new data from an independent cooling rate indicator show that the conventional interpretation is no longer viable. Our results require that the IVA meteorites cooled in a 300-km-diameter metallic body that lacked an insulating mantle. This body probably formed ∼4,500 Myr ago in a ‘hit-and-run’ collision between Moon-to-Mars-sized protoplanets. This demonstrates that protoplanets of ∼103 km size accreted within the first 1.5 Myr, as proposed by theory, and that fragments of these bodies survived as asteroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on Lasker Awards given to scientists who carry out successful experiments in medical science. This year's Lasker Basic Award was given to Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider, and Jack W. Szostak for their prediction and discovery of telomerase. Lasker Clinical Award was awarded to Aaron T. Beck for his major contributions in the field of cognitive therapy. The Special Achievement Award was given to Joseph G. Gall for his achievement in 'in situ hybridization.'

The morphological stability of the bond interface in β-Ni50Al vs γ-Ni40Cr solid-solid diffusion couples annealed at 1150 °C has been examined as a function of annealing time. Interface breakdown results in a microstructure consisting of an irregular layer of α-Cr,β precipitates within the α layer, and lamellar areas of α + β touching the γ region. A series of experiments was designed specifically to examine the early stages of diffusion, interface motion, and intermediate phase formation. Pronounced vaporization of Al from the β-Ni50Al end-member occurs within the initial heat-up period to 1150 °C and during the early stages of bonding. The subsequent deposition of Al onto the faying surface of the γ end-member results in the conversion of the γ surface to a β region. The low mobility of Cr and the inability of the β-γ surfaces to maintain equilibrium causes the formation of an intermediate layer of α -Cr. Moreover, the newly formed β region exhibits a fine-grained structure with significant porosity; the number density of pores increases with increased solid-state diffusion. The grain boundaries and pores result in irregular migration patterns of the constituent elements, causing the formation and growth of β protrusions into the a layer. Lateral rejection of Cr from the protrusion then occurs, leading to the formation of α-Cr regions adjoining the β outgrowth. Sympathetic growth of alternate regions of α and β follows, giving rise to a lamellar microstructure that can be explained on the basis of a low mismatch between the α and β lattice parameters, compatible crystal structures, and a pronounced orientation relationship. In a separate but related experiment, the degenerate α+ β morphology observed in the normal diffusion couples was replaced by a layer of agglomerated a-Cr when the β-γ couples were annealed under applied high pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminide coatings on Ni-base superalloys offer resistance to oxidation and hot corrosion at elevated temperatures. Complex depositional and subsequent diffusional interactions of the coating with the substrate result in a multiphase product consisting primarily of β-NiAl and γ′-NiAl intermediate phases. An understanding of interfacial stability between the coating and the substrate is therefore necessary in order to explain the formation of such phases. The Ni-Cr-AI system serves to simplify the complex chemistry of most Ni-base superalloys. In this study, reaction diffusion and interfacial stability were investigated in solid-solid diffusion couples, consisting of a common β-Ni50Al end-member and a series of γ-pure Ni, binary Ni-Cr, and ternary Ni-Cr-Al alloys, isothermally annealed at 1150 °C for 49 hours. The morphological development of the interface was examined using optical metallography and quantitative information obtained using electron-probe microanalysis. A transition from a stable or planar to an unstable or nonplanar interface in the β-γ diffusion couples was observed with the systematic variation in Cr content of the γ end-member. Interface breakdown in the β-γ couples was explained by means of microstructural information gathered about interfaces, measured diffusion paths, and a knowledge of phase constitution relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The irregular growth of the intermediate phase layer which forms as a result of interdiffusion between U and Al has been studied. Using optical and scanning electron microscope examination techniques and electron-probe microanalysis, it has been determined that only one phase (UAl) grows in the U-Al system and that the breakdown of interfacial planarity is a result of a limited nucleation rate and rapid growth rate of UA1. This phase partially decomposes near the uranium end of the diffusion couple during slow cooling, resulting in the formation of a 'multiphase≓ region. No such region is observed in rapidly cooled specimens. X-ray diffraction indicates the absence of a preferential growth direction to the intermediate phase layer. A model is presented that describes the sequence of intermediate phase growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic study has been carried out of the effect of pressure upon growth kinetics of intermediate phases formed in diffusion couples in the binary systems Ni-Al, U-A1, and U-Cu. Even though applied pressures greater than 100 MPa and long times were investigated little or no pressure effect was observed, in disagreement with previous literature reports. The magnitude of observed pressure effects falls within that expected by closure of Kirkendall porosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phases which are present within the dendritic core region during the solidification of AISI type M2 high speed steel (6 W, 5 Mo, 4 Cr, 2 V) were studied and characterized by metallography and quantitative microprobe analysis. A series of samples were quenched from various temperatures during solidification, 'freezing in' the different solidification phases. The first phase observed to solidify in M2 is ferrite which contains very little carbon. As the solidification process continues, most of the liquid surrounding the ferrite transforms to austenite by virtue of a peritectic reaction which initiates at 1330°C, (L + F → A). The ferritic cores also transform at around 1330°C into an austenite plus car-bide aggregate. By the time the ingot cools to 1255°C, the carbides at the center of the dendrites dissolve completely, leaving an austenitic phase of uniform carbon and alloy content. At temperatures below the solidus, very fine carbides precipitate from the aus-tenite. No eutectoid decomposition by products such as those commonly observed in Tl tool steel were observed in these specimens nor in samples from a commercial ingot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the 60th anniversary of the Lasker Awards, presented annually by the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation. History of the award; Reflection of the philosophy of medical research.

Focuses on the achievements that epitomize scientific discoveries as celebrated by the 2004 Lasker Awards in Basic and Clinical Medical Research. Scientists awarded for their discoveries about the superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors; Recognition of the late Charles D. Kelman's work on the surgical removal of cataracts with the Clinical Medical Research Award; Special Achievement Award in Medical Sciences for Matthew Meselson for studies in molecular biology.

Reports on the development of a simple, small-incision cataract operation pioneered by Charles D. Kelman, recipient of the 2004 Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award. Use of phacoemulsification which involved making a small, self-sealing incision in the cornea; Discovery of the idea of phacoemulsification by Kelman while having his teeth cleaned; Awards received by Kelman in the fields of ophthalmology and cataract surgery that earned him the name "Opththalmologist of the Century" in 1994.

Reports on the recipients of 2003 Lasker Awards in 2003. Presentation of the Lasker Award in Basic Medical Research to Robert G. Roeder for his pioneering studies on gene transcription in eukaryotic organisms; Presentation of the clinical medical research award to Marc Feldmann and Ravinder Maini for their discovery of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy for rheumatoid arthritis; Reflections on John H. Gibbon Jr., developer of the heart-lung machine first used in 1953.

Features the 2002 Albert Lasker Awards in Medical Research that honor two pairs of individuals in basic and clinical research. Recognition of accomplishments that illustrate the power of scientific synergy and symbiosis, echoing that which developed between artists Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.

Focuses on the 2001 Lasker Basic Medical Research Awards given to three researchers who developed a technology that allows scientists to manipulate the mouse genome with great precision. Benefits of the technology in creating 'designer strains' of mice; Awards given to a scientist in Cambridge University for developing in vitro fertilization technology.

Illustrates the synergism of genetics and biochemistry in the field of protein prenylation. Immediate implications for the control of membrane movement and cell growth in eukaryotes; Prenyl groups in mating proteins; GTP-binding proteins in animals; Ras proteins; Identification of RAMI in yeast; Mutations affecting Rab GGTase.