Laurence Irving: an appreciation

Laurence Irving (1895-1979) contributed significantly over five decades to the development of environmentally oriented physiological studies. He is best known for his investigations of the physiology of diving mammals, the respiratory properties of fish blood, and cold adaptation and acclimatization in poikilotherms and homeotherms, including man. Beyond his own research contributions, Irving benefited American comparative physiology through his key roles in the immigration of Per F. Scholander and Knut and Bodil Schmidt-Nielsen to the United States. The Irving-Scholander research collaboration provides a substantial legacy for comparative physiology. Laurence Irving's administrative contributions include service as the first scientific director of the Arctic Research Laboratory at Barrow, Alaska, and as the founding director of the Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. These units have assured the implementation of his philosophy of combining laboratory and field studies in the investigation of environmentally oriented physiological problems. Laurence Irving was an ardent advocate for Alaskan research, and his efforts were an important help in the advancement of science in the state.     

Richard Clothier: an appreciation

The career of Richard Clothier is reviewed in the light of his long-standing collaboration with Michael Balls and Laurens Ruben at the University of East Anglia (UEA), the University of Nottingham, and Reed College, Portland, Oregon, USA. It began with work at UEA on the aetiology of the lymphosarcoma of Xenopus laevis, followed by studies on the effects of exposure to N-nitroso-N-methylurea on T-cell functions, which led to many contributions to comparative immunology. This was followed by the establishment of the FRAME Research Programme, which led to participation in extensive studies on the development of in vitro cytotoxicity tests and their application in acute and topical toxicity testing. A FRAME Trustee since 1983, Richard Clothier was a co-founder, and subsequently Director, of the FRAME Alternatives Laboratory in the University of Nottingham Medical School, where he led successful collaborations with a number of industrial partners and, in particular, with the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM).     

The four questions of ethology

Ethology is the biological study of behaviour and concerns itself with questions about the causes, functions, evolution and development of aspects of behaviour. These different questions are illustrated with examples from the study of bird song. This subject has had most impact on understanding of developmental issues, showing the intricate interplay between genes and environment during ontogeny. Work on the evolution of song has involved comparison between closely related species to see how their songs have changed since separation, but also the shorter term cultural evolution that occurs when song is passed from one animal to another by learning. Studies of function, while fraught with difficulties, have revealed that song can have a variety of advantages. As far as causes are concerned, some impressive discoveries have recently been made on the neural basis of song. The need for such work to be complemented by studies of behaviour at the level of the whole animal is stressed, and studies of song sequencing are used to illustrate this.     

William R. Harvey: an appreciation

Bill Harvey in Temple University days, circa 1983. From the left, Julian Dow, Michael Wolfersberger, Bill Harvey, Moira Cioffi and Dan Spaeth.

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Highlights? Bill Harvey is a clever guy. ? He is over 80, and still publishing. ? This article summarizes his career and achievements, in a nice way, without being too sycophantic.     

Ivermectin: an update

Ivermecan was introduced as an antiparasitic agent in 1981. It is now registered for animal-health use in 35 countries and is being evaluated for possible use in man. This review summarises its antiparasitic efficacy and apparent mode of action. Additional information is given in previous review articles.     

Yersinia: an update

The 8th International Symposium on Yersinia was held in Turku, Finland, 4–8 September 2002.