Mickey Urdea, Chiron's vice president of research and development, said the technology would speed the company's discovery of new drugs and diagnostic targets.

Over the past decade, treadmills have exploded in popularity, and technology has sped along at a clip.

Without question, modern technology, notably in the form of the telephone, voice mail, e-mail and the fax, has speeded communication.

Whether such dangers exist, the new technologies have speeded the time in which decisions are made.

Computer and laser-beam technology can significantly speed the process of archeological field work, according to an anthropologist at the University of Pennsylvania.

In addition, the technology does not speed file downloads, streaming audio or video programs, or e-mail in programs like Outlook.

Scientists say that although commercial applications might be years away, the technology could speed the installation of national data highways and libraries.

Tapping commercial technology could save the Pentagon money and speed its technology development, Dr. Macedonia said.

The new chip-design technology is also speeding the pace of microelectronics design and shrinking the critical time-to-market in business and consumer electronics products.

In addition, these countries are clamoring for Western investment because they know Western money, management skills and technology will speed their economic revival.