Evening star., 1947-09-22
Stars, Men and Atoms
Stars, Men and Atoms E~
US. Scientists Studying
Adjustment to Arctic Life
Point Barrow, Alaska, Laboratory
Is Set Up as Navy Project
By Thomas r. Henry

v
laboratory for far-reaching studies ~ ths
aoaptauon OF animal life to Arctic living
conditions has been set up by the Once ~
naval Research at Point Barrow, Alaska the
farthest north spot under the American fias.
Here, 1t is expected, university scientists
Will carry out individual investigations, using
Navy facilities. The first party already is a.
work on studies of the metabolism of warm
ana coid-booded animals, the expenditure and
economy OF animal heat, and the orientation
and metabolism of Arctic birds during migra-
tlon. Following these processes through the
TRANSITIONS from summer to winter and win
ter 10 summer Is expected to give data on
the basic biological requirements for adapta.
tlon to an Arctic environment, to the stresses
imposed by climate and to the profound and
rapid seasonal changes
Point Barrow Is the only settlement IN IN.
possession of this country lying within ths
Arctic Circle. It faces an Arctic Ocean whose
shores, waters and ice biologicaIly have been
little explored. Southwark the tundra land
rising gradually to the Brooks Mountains Ia
essentially unknown from the standpoint Of
biology.
Scientists Have Navy ContractS
Inc frst group Of scientists is composed OF
DIS Laurence Irving, Per F. Schoander, Reidar
Wennesland, Walter Flagg and Erik T. Nielsen
OF SWathmore College and Donald R. Grifln
and Raymond j. Hook of Cornell University
They are working under Navy contracts.
Ability to live in the Arctic is becoming OF
increasing Importance, especially from a mill
tary standpoint, since these frozen wastes
provide the shortest air routes between the
eastern and western hemispheres and are
likely to become a no-man's land In another
war.
great deal Of basic data 1t is expected, can
be obtained from the actual ways Of life of the
Esk1mos and far northern Indians. These
have been evolved through many generations
Ct experience. The Navy Is interested. how
ever. In much more fundamental information
On which to base clothing, ration and housing
requirements.
Surveys Are Extended.
An announcement Of the project 70 the
American Association for the Advancement of
Science reports:
over these regions modern TRANSFORMATION
is rapidly extending geographical, geological
and oceanographic surveys which provide clear
outlines upon which to examine the patterns
Of Arctic life and its active adjustments to
many OF the high latitude conditions which
cover large and important areas Of the earth.
These areas hitherto have been screened from
view by the difficulties of travel and existence.
Now that Arctic outposts have become acces-
sible 1t Is possible to carry on detailed and
consistent studies which will permit accurate
descriptions Of life in high latitudes. scien-
tific experience on the cold frontiers of the
north will also improve. by the contrasts which
Its presents our knowledge of life in other
Much valuable data along the same lines
has been obtained by Weather Bureau OBJ
servers stationed at Thule, northern Green
land, for the past two years. The FIRST party
Is due to return to the United States late this
month and its recommendations are expected
to modify considerably plans for other sta
tions of the same kind to be set up on Arctic
Islands