December 24, 2002

Analysis of debate in 1950's between surgeons who argued that small breast tumors needed to detected and excised early to stop cancer from spreading and doctors who said early detection was being oversold and that some tumors, regardless of size, would spread beyond breast and kill and others would remain harmless; now, pre-determinist argument is re-emerging but few say it is entirely right or wrong; drawing (M)

New York's Guggenheim museum, retrenching as it seeks sponsor for next exhibit, will close Guggenheim Las Vegas exhibit hall at Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino on January 5; photos (M)

Number of scientists and dog trainers raise concern that mistakes could become more commonplace as thousands of new canine detectives are deployed across US; experts say dogs may overreact when handlers are excited and stressed; see need for more rigorous training and certification standards, more research into how dogs detect scents and relationship between dogs and handlers; photo (M)

Article in series examining life at 125 Cedar Street as residents return to building overlooking site of World Trade Center 15 months after terrorist attack; residents face return with mixture of relief and anxiety after protracted negotiations over cleaning of building; most of apartments were coated with fine ash; dozens artists who live in building sought to have their damaged works restored, with mixed results; photos (M)

North Korea has started to reopen sealed plutonium reprocessing plant at Yongbyon nuclear complex, most provocative and technically important step it has taken in recent days to revive its nuclear arms program; International Atomic Energy Agency says North Koreans have disabled surveillance cameras and broken through seals at pool holding 8,000 spent fuel rods; Bush administration stresses it will continue to deal with situation diplomatically; Defense Sec Donald H Rumsfeld warns United States is capable of confronting North Korea militarily, news conference; bipartisan pressure grows from Congress for Bush to rethink policy of not negotiating until North Korea drops nuclear program; photos; map (M)