| Editor: | Bernhard M. HAISCH |
| Magazine: | Journal of Scientific Exploration |
| Language: | English |
| ||
| Year: | 1990 | |
| Issue: | Volume 4 Number 1 | |
| Contents | |
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| Author | Title | Pag | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michel C. L. BOUNIAS | Biochemical Traumatology as a Potent Tool for Identifying Actual Stresses Elicited by Unidentified Sources: Evidence for Plant Metabolic Disorders in Correlation With a UFO Landing | 1-18 | |
| Abstract: Following an accurate testimony of a "UFO" landing, samples of a wild strain of Alfalfa were collected at the epicentre and at various increasing distances of the trace left on the ground 4 and 40 days after the observation. An additional batch of similar samples collected 730 days after the observation was then used as an a posteriori control of the natural variability on the same area. Biochemical determinations included: photosynthetic pigments, free carbohydrates, and free amino acids. Statistically, significant results were observed by plotting concentrations versus distances from the epicentre, and various characteristic subtypes of doseleffect relationships were evidenced. Functional relationships between photosynthetic pigments, amino acids and carbohydrates, were reversed at D + 40 by comparison with D + 730 samples which exhibited a normal shape. Thus, the described principles of Biochemical analysis give evidence: (a) that something did happen; (b) that the influence of the unidentified source decreased with increasing distance from the epicentre; (c) of accurate symptoms that can be further compared with those elicited by known causes. | |||
| Jacques F. VALLÉE | Return to Trans-en-Provence | 19-25 | |
| (French translation OVNI Présence N. 46 Aout/1991 Retour à Trans-en-Provence, pp. 5-10) | |||
| Abstract: The site of the 198 1 Trans-en-Provence UFO case was visited again during 1988. Soil samples taken at the time of the initial investigation were analyzed in an American laboratory in an effort to validate the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) study of the case. The results of the interviews with the witness and his wife, and the examination of samples taken at the surface and below the surface of the physical trace support the findings of the CNES team and the truthfulness of the witness' testimony. In particular, it was found that the surface sample only differed from the depth sample by the presence of biological (plant and insect) material on the surface. Calcium and silicon were the dominant elements in all fields examined, with aluminum and iron also present. No indication was found of cement powder, oil, or chemical contaminants that could have indicated the presence of tractors or other industrial vehicles at the site. | |||
| Jean-jacques VELASCO | Report on the Analysis of Anomalous Physical Traces: The 1981 Trans-en-Provence UFO Case | 27-48 | |
| Abstract: Following information received through law enforcement channels, the Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena Study Group (GEPAN) of the French National Center for Space Studies decided to investigate an observation of an unusual flying object made on 8 January 1981. The witness reported that the phenomenon had left a circular imprint on the ground. Samples gathered within this "ring" were independently analyzed by four laboratories and were compared to reference samples collected outside the trace. These analyses led to the conclusion that a significant physical phenomenon had indeed interacted with the environment at the site, producing abrasions, thermal impact and unexplained effects on plants. | |||
| Henry H. BAUER | Physical Interpretation of Very Small Concentrations | 49-53 | |
| Abstract: Reported observations of allergy-like responses by basophils at extreme dilutions were treated as unbelievable and compared with homeopathy. However, in several "mainstream" fields of science accepted formulations also imply action by substances present at the level of much less than a single molecule or ion. | |||
| John S. DERR, Michael A. PERSINGER | Luminous Phenomena and Seismic Energy in the Central United States | 55-69 | |
| Abstract: Luminous phenomena (LP) that occur in seismically active regions appear to be temporally related to seismicity, even when the LP are not obviously earthquake lights (EQL). Within a time frame that required aggregates of monthly or annual increments of analyses, moderately strong (0.50 < r < 0.75) correlations existed over a 19 year period between the amount of seismic energy released and the numbers of reported LP within a central region of the United States. Other anomalous reports from the same data base were not significantly correlated with the energy release. Neither LP nor the other classes of anomalous events were significantly correlated with the release of seismic energy in the surrounding region that contained comparable area and seismicity. Thus, some types of reports of LP may be geophysical phenomena that reflect the temporal and spatial characteristics of tectonic strai | |||
| Richard F. HAINES, Jacques F. VALLÉE | Photo Analysis of an Aerial Disc Over Costa Rica: New Evidence | 71-74 | |
| Abstract: The original negative of the Costa Rica film of an oval aerial disc-like object was obtained and carefully analyzed. Not only was there no evidence of optical defects, deliberate hoax, or support for other prosaic explanations for the disc image, but interesting new surface details were found, all of which possess the same oblique orientation. The disc shaped object remains unidentified. | |||
| John H. McGREW, Richard M. McFALL | A Scientific Inquiry Into the Validity of Astrology | 75-83 | |
| Abstract: -Six expert astrologers independently attempted to match 23 astrological birth charts to the corresponding case files of 4 male and 19 female volunteers. Case files contained information on the volunteers' life histories, full-face and profile photographs, and test profiles from the Strong-Campbell Vocational Interest Blank and the Cattell 16-P.F. Personality Inventory. Astrologers did no better than chance or than a nonastrologer control subject at matching the birth charts to the personal data; this result was independent of astrologers' confidence ratings for their predicted matches. Astrologers also failed to agree with one another's predictions. | |||
| Arno MÜLLER | Planetary Influences on Human Behavior ("Gauquelin Effect"): Too Absurd for a Scientific Explanation? | 85-104 | |
| Related: Journal of Scientific Exploration Volume 6 Number 3 Autumn/1992 - The Gauquelin Effect Explained? Comments on Arno Miiller's Hypothesis of Planetary Correlations [Ertel, Suitbert] | |||
| Abstract: Starting points are the investigations of the Gauquelins into planetary influences on human beings and the attempt at a scientific explanation by Michel Gauquelin. Aside from the fact that so far no physical link connecting planets and human behavior has been discovered, there are six other facts that resist integration into Gauquelin's explanatary model. In the model put up for discussion here, which includes not only physical and hereditary, but also cultural-historical, psychological, and evolutionary aspects, these critical points are reconciled with reality and at the same time the physical problems are simplified. | |||
| Jacques F. VALLÉE | Five Arguments Against the Extraterrestrial Origin of Unidentified Flying Objects | 105-117 | |
| Related: Journal of Scientific Exploration Volume 4 Number 2 /1990 - Comments on Vallee's Five Arguments Against the Extraterrestrial Origin of Unidentified Flying Objects | |||
| Abstract: Scientific opinion has generally followed public opinion in the belief that unidentified flying objects either do not exist (the "natural phenomena hypothesis") or, if they do, must represent evidence of a visitation by some advanced race of space travellers (the extraterrestrial hypothesis or "ETH"). It is the view of the author that research on UFOs need not be restricted to these two alternatives. On the contrary, the accumulated data base exhibits several patterns tending to indicate that UFOs are real, represent a previously unrecognized phenomenon, and that the facts do not support the common concept of "space visitors." Five specific arguments articulated here contradict the ETH: (1) unexplained close encounters are far more numerous than required for any physical survey of the earth; (2) the humanoid body structure of the alleged "aliens" is not likely to have originated on another planet and is not biologically adapted to space travel; (3) the reported behavior in thousands of abduction reports contradicts the hypothesis of genetic or scientific experimentation on humans by an advanced race; (4) the extension of the phenomenon throughout recorded human history demonstrates that UFOs are not a contemporary phenomenon; and (5) the apparent ability of UFOs to manipulate space and time suggests radically different and richer alternatives, three of which are proposed in outline form as a conclusion to this paper. | |||
| Letters to the Editor | |||
| Comments on "Expanding Ball of Light (EBL) Phenomenon"(Haines, 1988) | 119-120 | ||
| Related: Journal of Scientific Exploration Volume 2 Number 1 /1988 - Expanding Ball of Light (EBL) Phenomenon [Haines, Richard F.] | |||
| Comments on Stevenson's "A Case of Severe Birth Defects Possibly Due to Cursing" | 121-122 | ||
| Related: Journal of Scientific Exploration Volume 3 Number 2 September/1989 - A Case of Severe Birth Defects Possibly Due to Cursing [Stevenson, Ian] | |||