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limited number of researchers working in biophysics and genetics, they are quite capable. Qualitatively good reports have been made on the effects of chemicals and ultraviolet radiation on cell mutation, the physical chemistry of bone marrow cells, radiobiological methods of study of cell populations, and the effect of radiation on cellular constituents. The CNR is supporting fundamental research on the structure and function of biological macromolecules, the extraction and analysis of ribosome precursors, the study of protein fractions of grain, and the cytotoxic effects of selected drug agents.

Physiologists are doing fundamental research on the physiology of diving; the Italians are interested in aspects of research related to underwater physiology. Areas of production include cardiovascular physiology, neurophysiology, endocrine activity, cellular physiology, and the physiology of respiration. The Higher Institute of Health and the CNR are cooperating in a study of health-related aspects of the Italian environment. Routine studies of the environment and atmosphere pollution are underway at a Euratom facility for nuclear research at Ispra.

Careful research in nutrition is devoted to study of food additives and the microbiology and chemical composition of food, water and air, the nutritive value of foodstuffs, and biological research on the nutritional process. Italy participates in research work promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and by the World Health Organization.

Italy has developed modern facilities for research on vaccines. The Higher Institute of Health is developing its competence in pollution research, microbiological synthesis, parasitology, and food microbiology. Italian research is being strengthened in epidemiology, especially of arboviruses. A fundamental campaign is underway to eliminate intestinal parasites in school children.

The military medical services of Italy conduct active medical research programs in well-staffed research institutes with modern equipment. Subgravity research conducted at the Air Force Center of Study and Research on Aviation and Space Medicine, Rome, has drawn international attention. The Center for Military Applications of Nuclear Energy, a triservice organization, is playing an ever-increasing role in radiation pathology and biology. The financing and coordination of medical research of interest to national defense is carried out by the Defense Scientific-Technical Council, subordinate to the Ministry of Defense. On problems of mutual interest, military medical research institutes coordinate with the National Research Council, the National Committee for Nuclear Energy, the Ministry of Health, other government ministries and agencies, universities, and private industry. Military medical research personnel participate in international scientific and medical meetings and, in some instances, share their findings with participating countries.

6. Other sciences (S)

a. Chemistry and metallurgy

Chemistry occupies a strong position in the Italian universities and in industry. Most of the basic research is carried out at the university institutes. Chemical research is stronger in industrial laboratories than in government institutes. The total chemical research effort is only slightly less than that in France but substantially less than that in West Germany or the United Kingdom.

There is considerable strength in several aspects of organic chemistry in Italy, including synthesis, organic reactions, and proof of structure. The University of Milan is strong in the organic chemistry of terpenes, alkaloids, animal and plant pigments, and other naturally occurring products. The University of Genoa also works on terpenes, and the University of Naples does research on pigments of marine organisms. The University of Pisa is involved in studies on organometallic compounds and optically active compounds. Many other universities are active in synthetic organic chemistry. Italian research on high polymers, including both their preparation and the study of their physical properties, is recognized internationally. The outstanding figure is Dr. Giulio Natta, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963 for his significant work on stereospecific polymerization, which led to the development of commercial polypropylene. Dr. Natta has been responsible, as head of the Institute of Industrial Chemistry at the Polytechnic Institute of Milan, for directing a large amount of important research on polymerization catalysts, stereospecific polymerization, isotactic polymers, structure of polymers, and kinetics of polymerization. His institute has been well supported by Montecatini-Edison S.p.A., Milan. Polymer research is concentrated also at the CNR Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, Milan, which does work on stereospecific polymerizations, behavior of fused polymers as related to synthetic fiber production, and the structure of complex polymers by means of X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared techniques.

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200080002-5