The Laboratory's Research Quarterly Fall 2003 issue has been published and can be found at http://www.lanl.gov/quarterly/ online. It is distributed to managers and an external audience of Laboratory funding agencies, congress and partners.
The cover story discusses the work of Bette Korber of Theoretical Biology and Biophysics ( T-10), and that of her team, to develop an AIDS vaccine. Describing her work as "the moral obligation of our times," Korber's work provides an improved understanding of the interaction between HIV and the immune system that has brought Lab researchers closer to identifying key parameters in AIDS vaccine development. The cover illustration is an artist's rendering of several AIDS viruses (HIVs) preparing to bind to the surface of an immune system T-helper cell to begin the invasive process of infection.
Also in this issue is a brief on a collaborative effort among scientists at the Laboratory, University of California and the National Center for Atmospheric Research who are exploring the global hydrogen budget - the amount of molecular hydrogen in the atmosphere - to assess the environmental benefits and risks of using hydrogen fuel cells on a large scale.
The standing editorial, Mesa View, presents Deputy Director for Science and Technology William Press discussing the attributes of universities and colleges managing federally funded research and development centers.
RAPTOR, a small robotic observatory system, provides data-analysis techniques that can help astronomers better understand planetary systems, stars, galaxies and the universe as well as solve problems of national defense. RAPTOR's capabilities are examined in "RAPTOR Science, Capturing Cosmological 'Winks.' "
This issue also includes an article describing the "Nuclear Renaissance," the resurgence of the efficacy of nuclear power plants, which unlike coal- and gas-fired power plants, can provide electricity without emitting carbon dioxide.
Of note, too, is an article that highlights Laboratory technologies that won eight of this year's R&D 100 awards. The awards are given to the 100 most significant technological advances worldwide, which are most likely to benefit humanity. No other Department of Energy laboratory captured as many awards.
For more information about Research Quarterly, contact either James L. Smith at 7-4476 or Judyth Prono at 5-8383 or write to them at larq@lanl.gov by electronic mail.
-- Judy Goldie