FROM DUCK AND ROLL TO DUCT TAPE AND PLASTIC -- In recent warnings about possible terrorist attacks, the federal government has urged people to purchase duct tape and plastic to seal up rooms in case chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons are used. But how safe will you be in these makeshift shelters? "I deal with chemical issues every day and putting up a barrier really will not do much," says Temple chemistry professor Scott Sieburth. "I can't imagine anyone sealing up a room tight enough." Regrettably, he says, the government's warnings have led to an unnecessary level of concern by individuals who are not likely to be threatened. "If you live in the suburbs or in a sparsely populated area, I would think the chances of being targeted for attack are pretty slim." he says. "Keep in mind, that any chemical attack or even a nuclear 'dirty bomb' will directly affect only a very limited area." Still, Sieburth says, putting up some protection is better than no protection at all. He suggests visiting the government's Web site at http://www.fema.gov/areyouready for the list of suggested supplies and instructions on how to choose and construct your makeshift shelter. And as he watches people stock up at the hardware store, Sieburth adds, "It makes me wish I had stock in a company that makes duct tape."
SURVEY SHOWS AMERICANS' STRESS AT HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE 9/11 -- Americans are more stressed out now than at any time since immediately following the September 11 terrorist attacks, according to a survey by Temple University stress and anxiety expert Jay Segal. "Not since right after 9/11 has this country been as anxious, fearful, or felt as helpless as we do today," says Segal, who surveyed Philadelphians about their stress levels in January 2002 and did follow-up phone interviews in July of 2002 and again this week. "The anxiety level of the people we were able to re-interview was not just higher, it was significantly higher," says Segal. "There are people who are almost at a panic," says Segal. "But the problem is they're worried about things they have no power to prevent and that aren't likely to happen." Segal suggests the government do away with its policy of involving the public whenever the threat of terrorism changes and also work at giving people better a perspective on the threat. "About 385 people are expected to die on American roads and highways over the weekend. Yet, we'll all get in our cars and go about our lives. That's a much higher risk than we have of being affected by a terrorist attack," says Segal.
HAS THE SEQUENCE BECOME A SECRET? -- Since its heralded initial presentation nearly three years ago, the Human Genome Project has moved steadily along out of the public's eye, but not the scientific community, says Temple biochemist Allen Nicholson. "Human genome sequence data is being used daily by hundreds of research laboratories around the world," says Nicholson, a distinguished RNA researcher. "There is a lot of ongoing work in refining the human genome sequence and providing researchers with a high-resolution map." Nicholson says the original human genome map introduced in June of 2000 can be considered as a "road atlas" showing only the interstates and major state highways. "Scientists are now defining the 'local roads' in the form of as-yet-undiscovered gene sequences and gene regulatory elements. The exact number of genes in the human genome will not be definitively known for quite some time." Nicholson concludes that major research efforts will continue to focus on understanding the functions of the products specified by the human genes--proteins and RNA--and how these molecules interact to carry out essential cellular processes.
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