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Focuses on the use of computers to create computer models of cells. How computers cannot accurately predict how a cell will behave; Discussion of the state of microbiology; Need to understand how genes and proteins interact dynamically.

Reports on oil drilling in Alaska. Dispute regarding the status of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR); Efforts of environmentalists to protect the area from oil exploration; Opinion that scientists and engineers should offer only facts regarding ANWR, instead of offering opinion; The need to conduct a seismic survey of the area in order to determine if ANWR is economically worth drilling. INSETS: The Debate/Oil vs. Wildlife;A Model of a Modern Major Oil Field;Facts/Forecasting the Flow.

The article discusses the capacity of solar satellites to produce clean and abundant power. Topics discussed include the stellar power system called SPS-Alpha designed for the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) by former NASA physicist John Mankins, the capability of orbiting solar power plants to produce unlimited free fuel supply, and the plan of aerospace company SpaceX to develop a solution that can reduce rocket launch costs.

Focuses on trends in science education in the United States. Test scores of America's high school seniors in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS); Responses; The educational crisis as a cyclical ritual; Experiments in education; Comparison of the coverage of topics in textbooks of United States with other countries; Outlook. INSETS: Dumb but not Dumber by D.F.;U.S. Research Feels No Crisis by D.F.;Wanted: Strong Thinkers by W.W.G. and D.F.;A Day in the Life of Three Schools by W. Wayt Gibbs

Recounts efforts of medical researchers Lam Sai Kit and Chua Kaw Bing to identify a virus outbreak in Malaysia. Viral connection to pig farming; Symptoms fitting the profile of Japanese encephalitis; The deadly virus having a DNA sequence similar to an Australian virus called Hendra; Confirmation of Lam's hunch that the pathogen was part of the Pramyxoviridae family; Treatment with ribavirin; How the virus attacks the body; Impact on the pork industry and Malay economy.

Focuses on the discoveries and theories that won the 1998 Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology, and economics. How electrons split; The prediction of chemical reactions by computer; The role of nitric oxide in blood vessel dilation; Ethical dimensions of economics in terms of famine and welfare.

Reports on the search for a meteor which hit in a region of Greenland known as Kangilia. When the meteor struck the surface; Efforts of a team of astronomers and geophysicists including Holger Pedersen and Torber Risbo; Use of videotape which filmed the meteor as it flew across the sky.

Looks at transportation systems worldwide, addressing problems affecting transportation. Origin and history of transportation; Failure of technology to solve major transportation problems; Impact of wide spread use of automobiles and supporting infrastructure on the environment; Mention of safety issues.

Focuses on trends in computing technology. Discussion about the importance of computing technology in businesses; Perception of economists about computer technology. INSETS: Beyond the desktop.;Four innovations that (might) improve work..

Examines the factors that contribute to the increase in the number of obesity cases. Evolutionary biology explanation; Genetic factor; Characteristics of fat cells in adults. INSET: A shifting scale..

Reports on the National Institutes of Health's approval of two protocols for the human testing of chemoprotection. Protection from the side effects of chemotherapy; Genetic modification of bone marrow cells; Molecular surgery to make tumor cells susceptible to a normally harmless medicine; Tests on Taxol, the drug used for ovarian cancer.