This interview with Joshua Lederberg, who won the 1958 Nobel prize in physiology and medicine, covers his research interests, the role of mentors, his childhood and school years as a highly gifted child, the nature of good teaching, child prodigies, and the scientific endeavor. (DB)

Suggests a prospective area of study for future information scientists involving the separate causes of alimentary and informational action in order to bring the separate study of information science to a more central role within the sciences. Highlights include thermodynamics and open systems, and living organisms and other open systems.…

Provides a rationale for the information science community to consider the needs and challenges of spatial information issues as well as overviews of the seven articles on spatial information contained in this special topic issue. Brief biographies of the 16 authors are included. (six references) (KRN)

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child grants a full range of human rights to children and promotes a nonpaternalistic attitude toward them. Social scientists will be able to contribute to its implementation by interpreting issues of psychological and physical development. (DM)

Notes Allan Bloom's attack on anthropologists and the concept of cultural relativism. Rejects the idea that the study of other cultures leads to giving up one's own culture. Suggests that Bloom represents a nativistic revitalization movement which has found that anthropologists make excellent scapegoats. (EVL)

Discusses the concept of information literacy and its target audience of library users. Topics discussed include the relationship of information literacy to bibliographic instruction (BI) and other library instruction; the role of librarians; terminology problems in librarianship; and the effects of information literacy on the value of information…

Nursing information specialists perform such roles as user liaison, information systems installer, systems analyst, coordinator of patient care systems, and knowledge engineer. A survey of 97 informatics specialists shows that the majority work in hospitals, 67% have training in information systems, and 63% have master's degrees. (SK)

Discussion of the maintenance of digital data focuses on research conducted at Loughborough University (United Kingdom) to investigate the potential of the metadata concept as the key to universal data management. Topics include attitudes of information professionals in the United Kingdom, reasons for preserving digital data, and the role of…

Lists the women Nobel Prize laureates and questions why, with the exception of Marie Curie, all these women scientists are not well known by the public. Explains why so few women have won the Nobel Prize in science and medicine as compared to other fields. (Contains 18 references.) (YDS)

A survey of 256 members of a science institute found that those who aspire to management tend to be more motivated by power, influence, upward mobility, security, respect, and the need for dominance. Some of these qualities describe persons willing to make decisions, influence others, and deal with interpersonal issues. Current managers and…

Interviews Professor Chris Leaver from the University of Oxford about his school memories, his research and ideas, the research team he works with, and ideas and tips he shared. (DDR)

Reports on a quality assessment of the MSc in Information and Library Management at the University of Bristol (United Kingdom) that is taught by practicing library and information science professionals. Describes the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and explains why they gave the course a strong endorsement. (Author/LRW)

Reflects on the place of evolution in the social and life sciences. Evaluates the relationship between science and religion. (CCM)

Discusses issues related to knowledge management and organizational knowledge. Highlights include types of knowledge; the knowledge economy; intellectual capital; knowledge and learning organizations; knowledge management strategies and processes; organizational culture; the role of technology; measuring knowledge; and the role of the information…

This article suggests several ways teachers can get their students really excited about science by bringing scientists to the science fair in a different role than the traditional "judge." With a bit more effort, scientists can become actively involved as presenters of hands-on activities. This article discusses: what happens when the tables are…