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In this article, I am concerned with the relationship between the visibility of race as color, the memory of injustice, and American identity. The visibility of color would seem to make it a daily reminder of race and its history, and in this way to be intimately a part of American memory and identity. Yet the tie between memory and color is anything but certain or transparent. Rather, as I shall argue, it is a latticework composed of things remembered, forgotten, glossed, or idealized, and the traces they leave in our world, traces that keep that past from falling into the oblivion of forgetfulness. Finally, color, memory, and identity together belong to the struggle over racial justice in this country, a battle in part to recognize the past, of which color is the visible reminder, and to fashion an American identity that does not seek to render it invisible. Ralph Ellison's writings on memory and race, and particularly his defining work, the Invisible Man, map these issues and some of the ways of approaching them. The present essay is an exploration of those issues, conducted through an engagement with his work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recognition of the western drywood termite, Incisitermes minor (Hagen), as one of the most economically important and destructive termite species in the USA, both its population and colony breeding structure genetically remain unclear. Here, we present primer sequences and initial characterization for 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci. In a sample of 30 individuals, representing six geographically distinct locations collected in California, USA, three to 15 alleles were detected segregating per locus. Within a single population observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.050 to 0.866. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discussion of what happened to the program for saving threatened sea otters off Big Sur in California. Details of the program and results; Other failures at attempts to relocate threatened species detailed; In-depth description of the plight of sea otters along the Pacific Ocean in California.

An analysis of New York City's plan to control the AIDS epidemic among its addicts. Questions whether lots of bleach, clean needles, and drug treatment on demand are the answers.

Reports on an investigation into a `dry eye' syndrome study at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, which the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says was improperly run. Presents Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary's response to demands by the NIH that patients in the study be reviewed.

Describes a meeting between scientists and congressional committee members convened to discuss scientific misconduct and fraud.

Tells how Congress has passed a bill last week that calls for a suite of AIDS education and prevention programs, establishes a home health care program, and gives to the federal health bureaucracy hundreds of new employees.

How the reintroduction of sea otters to an isolated island off the coast of Los Angeles may assist in the study of the interplay between otters, urchins and kelp forests. Details; Question of whether sea otters maintain the kelp forests by consuming the sea urchins that consume the kelp; The $50 million-a-year kelp business in California; Research may provide some answers to the otter-urchin-kelp connection.

Discussion of the ending by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of nearly two decades of support for the artificial heart. Transfer of financial support to a heart pump that runs on batteries that transfer energy through the skin. How the heart pump works. Controversy over decision by researchers. Results of implants done by 1987.

Presents an excerpt from the article `A Clash of Cultures at Meeting on Misconduct,' focusing on the conflicting views of the cultural and science communities toward scientific misconduct and fraud in the United States, published in a 1989 issue of `Science.'

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) are a resurgent pest worldwide and infestations within the United States are increasing at a rapid rate. Because of the physical and psychological discomfort inflicted by their blood feeding habits, and allergies and secondary infections associated with bites, bed bugs are recognized as a significant public health problem. Although bed bug infestations are spreading and becoming more prevalent, we have a poor understanding of their dispersal patterns and sources of infestation. To help fill this gap, we conducted a genetic study of 21 bed bug infestations from the eastern United States, nearly all of which came from single rooms within residences. We genotyped samples comprised of 8-10 individuals per infestation at nine polymorphic microsatellite loci. Despite high genetic diversity across all infestations, with 5-17 alleles per locus (mean = 10.3 alleles per locus), we found low genetic diversity (1-4 alleles per locus) within all but one of the infestations. These results suggest that nearly all the studied infestations were started by a small propagule possibly consisting of a singly mated female and/or her progeny, or a female mated with multiple males that were highly related to her. All infestations were strongly genetically differentiated from each other (mean pairwise F(ST) between populations = 0.68) and we did not find strong evidence of a geographic pattern of genetic structure, indicating infestations located in closer proximity to each other were nearly as genetically differentiated as those located hundreds of kilometers away. The high level of genetic diversity across infestations from the eastern United States together with the lack of geographically organized structure is consistent with multiple introductions into the United States from foreign sources.

Health disparities related to cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke) have remained higher in the African-American community than in other populations. African Americans living in the stroke belt are at an even higher risk for these conditions. Recently, increasing numbers of health agencies and researchers have successfully partnered with the black church to respond to the troubling statistics regarding these health disparities. Because the black church has a long history of being in the forefront of addressing critical social, economic, political, and health issues of African Americans, it is clear they are the principal gatekeepers in reversing these negative health trends. Working with churches to reduce cardiovascular disease is not a new concept. Hypertension screening programs were established at churches approximately 30 years ago. This article shares findings of elements to improve relations between community agencies and pastors, explores the strengths and challenges of working with churches, examines the role of the pastors in establishing successful programs, and identifies model programs. This article will identify key factors that are essential to cardiovascular health programs that purport to reach high-risk populations for cardiovascular disease with life saving environmental policies and behavior change strategies. Suggestions are provided for working with pastors, churches, and church resources to maximize the desired outcomes of future health promotion interventions. Examples of strategies include serving healthier choices during church meals; the inclusion of relevant scriptural citations in promotional materials; the implementation of instruction, training, and exercise programs; and, the provision of tangible compensation to the churches and congregants facilitating the health initiatives.