"Timothy Zahn - A Coming of Age" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zahn Timothy)

A Coming of Age


"Not necessarily. If you want to sneak back to the lab for a day, I promise I won't tell anyone."

"Thanks a lot," Jarvis growled. "All right; read me some relevant numbers, will you?"

"Sure. Here are the blood insulin levels for the eight-milligram subjects...."

Listening with half his attention, Jarvis stretched his neck to peer out the window. Colin was still in
sight, playing at the foot of the big conetree next to the grassy path that served as driveway. As he
watched, two large seed pods shot past the boy's head; Colin was apparently still playing dogfight.
He was good at it, too, for someone his age. Jarvis made a mental note to take a dexterity/control
measurement soon.

Somerset finished his recitation, and an expectant silence took its place. With some effort, Jarvis
forced his mind back to the topic at hand. "Okay. First off, check to make sure the thyroid isn't
suddenly boosting thyroxin production to compensate."

"We've already looked for thatтАФ"

"And check carefully, because what the extra thyroxin may be doing is chemically linking to our
gamma component, which would not only take both molecules out of play but also keep you from
detecting the hormone increase."

There was a brief silence. "I didn't know the two hormones could react together."

"They haven't in lab tests, but if you look closely at the gamma molecule's sulfhydryl end, you'll see
there's no particular reason why the reaction can't go. Check for likely-looking enzymes in the
neighborhood of the thyroid, and while you're at it check back a step and see if the pituitary
increased its own thyrotropin output."

"Already tried that," Somerset said with the distracted air of someone trying to talk while scribbling
notes. "Negative result."

"Okay, concentrate on the thyroid region, then." Jarvis considered. "One other thing: try doing a
careful study of prostaglandin levels. Our alpha molecule's largely a prostaglandin analogue, and the
body mechanisms that degrade those hormones may be attacking it. If so, we'll need to isolate which
one the culprit is and put something else in the mixture to suppress it. You think that'll keep you
busy for a while?"

"Quite a good while, I think," Somerset said. "Thanks a lot, MattтАФappreciate it muchly."

"Glad to help. You find anything interesting, let me knowтАФby writing it up and putting it on my
desk."

"Hint received and understood. Talk to you later."

"Much later. Good-bye."