The Duke University Magazine of Science, Technology, and Medicine

Spring 1993 Issue - Volume IX, Number 2

Editor: Megan K. Dishop

• From the Editor
  
  
• Inside LifeFlight
  The Medical Center's emergency helicopters are a vital part of the medical services offered at Duke. A behind-the-scenes look at LifeFlight and its medical team.
  
  
• Finding Order in Chaos
  While chaos theory is directed at understanding the unpredictable nature of seemingly simple systmes, its counterpart complexity theory instead seeks to explain another phenomenon: the spontaneous formation of order within seemingly complex systems.
  
  
• Making Sense of Musical Perception
  The sound of music can be very unpleasant when certain frequencies are combined. How we perceive such dissonance can be explained by a physical-biological model of "frequency analysis."
  
  
• Advances in Transplantation
  In response to the shortage of human organs available for transplantation, surgeons have now turned to animal organs as an alternative source. As a consequence, Duke researchers are trying to surmount the unique immunological problems introduced by these "xenotransplantations."
  
  
• Applications of the Parallel Computer
  Duke's new parallel processing computer, CM5, is an important asset, not only for computer scientists, but also for those interested in answering questions about physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
  
  
• Profile: An Interview with Dr. Steve Nowicki
  Highlights from a recent discussion with biologist Steve Nowicki provide some unique insights into his personal and scientific interests, his motivations, and his views on teaching and research.
  
  

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