Science has renewed role, lab boss says.(Evening)

Byline: Thomas Hargrove HARGROVET@shns.com/ (202) 408-2703

WASHINGTON The terrorist threat has given America's scientific community a chance to forge a "renewed compact" with government akin to the backing it received during World War II, the director of Los Alamos National Laboratory said.

"To protect our nation against whatever activities terrorist groups might be planning, science must remain equal to the challenge," John C. Browne said today at the National Press Club.

"The science community is poised for yet another period of great discoveries that will revolutionize our 21st century world and help defeat the threat of terrorism."

His …