Table 1

The two kinds of scientific reasoning employed in Science Issue 5248 were explanations based on the application of a covering law (Reports 1, 2, 6, 7, 9), and proof of cause-effect relationships (Reports 8, 11–16). Because Report No. 9 contained both kinds of reasoning, its classification in this Table is arbitrary. Note that, whether or not consciously, the editor of Science grouped the Reports on the basis of the kind of reasoning employed, as evidenced by their order of appearance in the Journal (Report No.). CES, cell expression system. Reports No. 3–5 and 10 involved invention or discovery, but did not utilize formal reasoning processes. They were therefore not considered further. The lines in the last column provide a brief summary of the individual reports. The reports are numbered in the order of their appearance in the Journal.

Report No. Model Covering Law Phenomenon Explained
1 1600 atoms Physical theory Energy dissipation
128 polymer chains
2 55–256 atoms Physical theory Structure and stability of liquids
6 Phosphorus coupling with C, O2, and Fe Heuristic rate equations Stabilization of atmospheric oxygen during the phanerozoic
7 Any non-specific immune process Heuristic rate equations Clearance of HIV from the blood
9 Structure of selected proteases; CES Heuristic parsimony algorithm Serine protease diversity
 
Report No. Model Cause Effect
8 KD cells Decreased cyclin-E/CDK2 activity Loss of anchorage
Increased CDK inhibitors decreased phosphorylation of Thr160 Decreased cyclin-E/CDK2 activity
11 A31.C1 cells Osteopontin Activation of CD44 receptor
12 10 human subjects Vigilance Increased brain blood flow
13 CES Mutant enzyme and Cu2+ chelation Altered catalysis
CES Cu2+ chelation Altered cell growth
14 CES High density lipoprotein Activation of SR-B1 receptor
15 CES Products of ALG-2, ALG-3 Apoptosis
16 5 barn owls Ligation of NMDA receptor Auditory learning

 

HOME | Contact Marino |