Behavioral and Social Sciences Earth Sciences
- Future of Plant Sciences Focus of New Booklet
- Report Offers Plan to Improve Weather and Climate Monitoring
- IOM President’s Annual Address to Members
- New NAP Publications Online
- New NAS Initiative Will Connect Entertainment Industry With Scientists
- The Sounds of Science Podcast from the National Academies
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Understanding Crime Trends: Workshop Report
Changes over time in the levels and patterns of crime have significant consequences that affect not only the criminal justice system but also other critical policy sectors. Yet compared with such areas as health status, housing, and employment, the nation lacks timely information and comprehensive research on crime trends. Descriptive information and explanatory research on crime trends across the nation that are not only accurate, but also timely, are pressing needs in the nation's crime-control efforts.
Back to topEarth Sciences
Future of Plant Sciences Focus of New Booklet
The National Academies have released "New Horizons in Plant Sciences for Human Health and the Environment," a free booklet that explores the potential of the National Plant Genome Initiative -- a federal multiagency project that coordinates research in plant sciences to understand and ultimately harness plants’ properties to help meet agriculture, nutrition, energy, and human health needs.
Back to topReport Offers Plan to Improve Weather and Climate Monitoring
A more integrated and effective nationwide meteorological and chemical weather network is needed that measures atmosphere conditions at various heights and scales, says a new report from the National Research Council. In addition to weather observations, such a system could track dispersion of biological and nuclear contaminants from industrial accidents; monitor smoke from wildfires; provide high-resolution weather information for aviation and waterways, water management, and food production; and support regional climate monitoring.
Back to topEnvironmental Issues
Recap of Summit on America’s Energy Future
A workshop report of the energy summit held earlier this year by the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering provides summaries of speaker presentations and discussions on energy security, energy and the environment, and energy and the economy. The workshop report is the first release of the academies' America’s Energy Future project, an initiative designed to stimulate discussion about U.S. energy options.
Back to topHealth and Medicine
From Molecules to Minds: Challenges for the 21st Century: Workshop Summary
Neuroscience has made phenomenal advances over the past 50 years and the pace of discovery continues to accelerate. On June 25, 2008, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders hosted more than 70 of the leading neuroscientists in the world, for a workshop titled "From Molecules to Minds: Challenges for the 21st Century." The objective of the workshop was to explore a set of common goals or "Grand Challenges" posed by participants that could inspire and rally both the scientific community and the public to consider the possibilities for neuroscience in the 21st century.
Back to topInternational Issues
African Science Academy Conference
The fourth annual conference of the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI) met in London, where participants discussed how independent, expert advice from science academies can inform policy decisions and public discourse. The goal of ASADI is to strengthen African academies' ability to deliver such advice in their countries.
Back to topThe 2nd International Forum on Biosecurity: Summary
The 2nd International Forum on Biosecurity, held in Budapest, Hungary on March 30 - April 2, 2008, represents the efforts of a number of individuals and organizations, over the last five years, to engage the international community of life scientists in addressing how to reduce the risk that the results of their work could be used for hostile purposes by terrorists and states.
Back to topNew at the National Academies
IOM President’s Annual Address to Members
President Harvey V. Fineberg delivered a speech at the IOM annual meeting asserting that the Institute should ask and answer big questions. At a time when the nation faces so many critical problems, said Fineberg, "it is more important than ever that we together focus on those challenges that will really make a difference for the health of people in this country and around the world.”
Back to topNew NAP Publications Online
To review all recent National Academies publications, visit The National Academies Press website.
Back to topNew NAS Initiative Will Connect Entertainment Industry With Scientists
The National Academy of Sciences recently announced the creation of "The Science and Entertainment Exchange," an initiative designed to connect professionals from the entertainment industry with top scientists and engineers to help the creators of television shows, films, video games, and other productions incorporate science into their work. The Exchange represents the Academy's first formal effort to reach out to the entertainment community and offer a direct connection to the creative minds of science.
Back to topThe Sounds of Science Podcast from the National Academies
This informative and entertaining weekly series of audio podcasts puts the spotlight on the high-impact work of the National Academies. Focusing on a wide range of critical issues in science, engineering, and medicine, these short 10-minute episodes are a quick and easy way to tune in to all the key findings and important recommendations made by the Academies.
Back to topPolicy and Research Issues
Complex Systems Conference Spurs Research
Top researchers gathered at the sixth annual National Academies Keck Futures Initiative conference, held to discuss new approaches to researching complex systems such as ecosystems, financial markets, communication networks, and biology. To encourage research in this area, the Academies announced the availability of $1 million in seed grants that will be awarded on a competitive basis to conference participants.
Back to topPresident-Elect Obama Receives Advice on Filling S&T Posts
As President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take the helm, he should use the best available science and scientists to help manage the nation’s current and future issues, such as climate change, alternative energy, veterans' health, and the nation's infrastructure, advises a recent report from the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine.
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