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Analog Science Fiction & Fact Magazine
April 1998

This month's issue of Analog starts with an editorial by Stanley Schmidt on the dangers of overusing antibiotics, especially in the treatment of viruses where antibiotics are useless. Their overuse has lead to the rise of resistant strains of bacteria. Schmidt compares the use of antibiotics to a military secret weapon. For such a weapon to be effective against an enemy, it should be used sparingly and where it will have a big impact, otherwise the enemy would know about the weapon and find out how to defeat it.

Stories featured in this issue are:

"The Children Star" by Joan Slonczewski is the first part of a four part serialisation. The story starts off by the rescue of a child from a prion infested world by Brother Rod, who takes her to a sentient space station to be altered so she can survive on an alien world Brother Rod's order has colonised. But as on any new colony problems will occur. This first part sets up the premise of the story but promises much.
"Biological Hazards and Medical Care in Space" by H. G. Stratmann and G. David Nordley is part one of a two part science article on the dangers faced by people in space. They point out that many of the chemicals used in space-craft are poisonous to humans. Also, due to the lack of gravity, surgery and other medical treatments will need modifications if used to treat patients.
"The Coverture Incident" by Stephen L. Burns tells an interesting story about the relationship between a man on a planet to oversee a relationship with its alien inhabitants. A hard choice has to be made when an incident in an restricted zone may mean either the death of another human or the breaking of a honourable treaty with the aliens.
"The Vigilant Ones" by Alexis Glynn Latner tells the story of a lunar probe sent to probe for samples on the Moon and links it with a possible alien bush living in the garden of one of the probe's scientists. In an interesting series of scene changes, both the probe and the plant's 'racial memories' combine to produce a fascinating story.
"Gravity Waves and LIGO" by John G. Cramer is an "Alternative View" article on the attempt to detect gravity waves and the possible results of detecting such waves.
"Shrink Wrapped" by David Alexander looks at the marketing possibilities of a 'brain box' and what happens when people don't use them as they're suppose to...or do they?
"It's the Thought That Counts" by Ian Randal Strock is a "Probability Zero" story about what magazine publishers will do to get readers to read their magazines.

[Home Page][Index of Reviews][March 1998][June 1998]

Analog Science Fiction & Fact Magazine April 1998

Analog Science Fiction & Fact Magazine
April 1998