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Snippets From Science

• The first diagnosed case of the disorder that came to be known as autism was a child named Donald Triplett. At the time of his diagnosis in 1943 the disorder was exceedingly rare. Today, the disorder is much more common (an estimated 1 in every 110 children), and neurobiologists recognize several gradations of the condition, collectively referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The disorder ranges from someone who is dependent and relatively incapacitated to someone who can become independent and lead a fairly normal life. People with ASD, whether children or adults, have difficulty with social interactions, language, and appropriate behavior. Some individuals with ASD are “savants” who are uniquely gifted in certain areas such as music, art, or numbers. Some of these prodigies have photographic memories.

Individuals at the upper end of the ASD spectrum are capable of leading productive lives but are a little different from most of the rest of society. For instance, Donald Triplett, who is almost 80 years old now, attended college, plays golf, and drives his own car. He tools down the freeway in his 10-year-old Cadillac, smiling and alternately pressing and releasing the accelerator in a rhythmic, metronomic manner. Donald was fortunate. He was born to well-to-do parents who were supportive, even though at an early age he was committed to a mental hospital for several years until everyone figured out he was not really insane – just different. Scientists still don’t know exactly what causes ASD. (“Autism’s First Child,” by John Donvan and Caren Zuker, reprinted from Brain in the News, October, 2010)

• The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 is flawed in that it doesn’t require chemicals used in consumer products, or used in industry, to be registered or proven safe. Now, although there appear to be 50,000 chemicals to which Americans are exposed, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has required that toxicity tests be conducted on only about 300 of them, and has restricted use of only five. A molecular biochemist with the Environmental Defense Fund indicated that 4,000 to 15,000 chemicals should be restricted, in addition to the five restricted by the EPA. (“The Great Chemical Unknown,” in Scientific American, November 2010; Slow Death by Rubber Duck, by F. Smith and B. Lourie, an enlightening read that deals with some of the chemicals to which we are exposed on a daily basis. Published in 2009 by Counterpoint Press, Berkeley)

• NASA is already brainstorming future space voyages to Mars and beyond. A major problem is dealing with urine and feces. The former is collected and discharged into space, and astronauts describe discarded urine as forming a cloud of beautiful, snow-like crystals that disappear into the ether. As to the latter form of waste, weightlessness creates many problems having to do with its capture and disposal. Looking ahead, NASA developed a device that is like an easy-bake oven that makes tiles of fecal material. These tiles would then be glued to the inside of the capsule and provide extra radiation shielding on the way back to earth. (S. Mirsky, Scientific American, Nov. 2010; M. Roach, 2010, Packing for Mars: The curious Science of Life in the Void, W.W. Norton, 2010)

• There once was an old man named Esser…Whose knowledge grew lesser and lesser… It at last grew so small… He knew nothing at all… And now he’s a college professor. Personal note: As my research career progressed, I sometimes felt as if I knew more and more about less and less.