Three different problems are given for student investigation in determining amino acid compositions, floral pigments, and water soluble amino acids by using the techniques of Roll Chromotography, DISC Chromotography, Thin Layer, and Paper Chromotography. (BR)

Suicide and attempted suicide among teenagers has risen dramatically since 1960, especially among girls. Three theories of the causes of suicide (emotional crises, brain chemistry and nonexpression of grief) are discussed. Depression and other first stage warning signals, and the nature of second stage "cries for help," are considered. (CM)

Discusses the chemical nature of gallstones and theories related to their formation. Also discusses experimental procedures used to identify chemical constituents of gallstones, indicating that cholesterol is found in almost 75 percent of stones examined. (JN)

Chemical actions in the brain result in cognitive, emotional, neuroendocrine, neuromuscular, and/or neurocirculatory effects. Developments in understanding brain chemistry are discussed, considering among others, neurotransmitter chemistry, neuropeptides, drugs and the brain, antidepressants, and actions of minor tranquilizers. (JN)

A conference on whether food and nutrients affect human behavior was held on November 9, 1982 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Various research studies on this topic are reviewed, including the effects of food on brain biochemistry (particularly sleep) and effects of tryptophane as a pain reducer. (JN)

Discusses the process of aging in the brain, including some of the structural and chemical changes that take place in the nerve cells as they age. (CS)

Distributions of the serum immunoglobulins (IgM), of T and B lymphocytes, and subpopulations of B lymphocytes were studied in children and institutionalized adults with Down's syndrome and appropriate mentally retarded controls. (Author)

Presented is a brief review of the biochemistry and chemistry of nitrogen fixation. (BB)

Molecular models are described which are suitable for illustrating the nucleic acids. The same principles used to construct these could be applied to models of polypeptides. (BB)

Discusses the biochemical mechanisms related to photosynthesis. Describes a water-oxidizing clock generating a molecule of oxygen with every four ticks. Lists four references. (YP)

Describes an exercise that allows the measurement of the sizes of biological samples by means of the diffraction of light. (JRH)

The accuracy of diagnosing hypothyroidism in 160 adults with Down syndrome was examined. A significant association between a clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism and increasing age was found but no significant association was found between a clinical and a biochemical diagnosis. Regular biochemical screening is recommended. (Author/SW)

Traces the history of Thailand's biochemical education from its initial evolution from medicine to modern day. Discusses the following aspects of Thailand's modern biochemical education: biochemistry teaching at Thai schools, university departments and biochemistry courses, textbooks, degree programs, interplay between research and teaching, and…

This study of 47 families of autistic probands found that whole blood serotonin was positively correlated between autistic children and their mothers, fathers, and siblings, but plasma norepinephrine levels were not. (Author/JDD)

This study of eight growth-retarded children with Down's syndrome (aged 1 to 6.5 years) found that administration of growth hormone was more effective than either L-dopa or clonidine. Results suggest that children with Down's syndrome have both anatomical and biochemical hypothalamic derangements resulting in decreased growth hormone secretion and…