“Reports & Events” is a monthly tip sheet for the news media that highlights selected meetings of interest and reports from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Selected Events in April 2021

All facilities of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are closed. All gatherings will be held virtually. Click on each event title below to access meeting details, an agenda, and registration information, or contact the Office of News and Public Information (e-mail news@nas.edu). Reporters should register for all meetings. More events can be found at https://www.nationalacademies.org/events.

Emerging Science on Indoor Air Chemistry
April 5
This workshop will gather the latest emerging science on chemicals in indoor air to inform a forthcoming consensus report. Speakers will discuss the connection between indoor air chemistry and human health, how to monitor chemical exposure, and future research needs.

Defining the Authority of Online Providers of Health Information
April 5
The NAM will host a public webinar to gather information for its initiative on Defining and Verifying the Authority of Online Providers of Health Information, sponsored by YouTube. The webinar will include remarks from a YouTube representative, as well as expert presentations on the challenges of communicating scientific information online and variations in perception of authority and trustworthiness across groups.

Health Effects from Chernobyl and Fukushima
April 7
Part of the Gilbert W. Beebe webinar series, this event will feature conversations about the health effects for populations impacted by the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear plant accidents, as well as potential transgenerational effects. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident and the 10th anniversary of the Fukushima accident.

Reducing the Prevalence of Obesity: Exploring Systems Changes
April 8
This workshop series will examine the connections between drivers of obesity and structural racism, stigma, and weight bias. Panelists will propose systems-level changes that have potential to make a difference, in the health care system, the workplace, housing, and education.

Minutes Matter: Bus Service Reliability
April 13
Transit reliability is critical to the operation and attractiveness of public transportation services. This webinar will explore the factors that determine bus reliability. Presenters will discuss relevant definitions, measurement tools, and strategies to improve reliability.

Climate Conversations: The Cost of Carbon
April 15
A discussion with Richard Newell, president and CEO of Resources for the Future and chair of the 2017 National Academies report Valuing Climate Damages: Updating Estimation of the Social Cost of Carbon Dioxide, will explore the social cost of carbon and environmental justice in the U.S.

The Day of the Drones: Airports and Unmanned Aircraft Systems
April 20 and 27
The rapid introduction of unmanned aircraft systems affects the national airspace system and its stakeholders. A two-part webinar series will address the range of new safety, economic, operational, regulatory, community, environmental, and infrastructure challenges to airports that have emerged due to these systems.

Improving Diagnosis of Acute Heart Events
April 23
This workshop will lay out a vision for diagnostic excellence in acute cardiovascular events, including acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and blood clots. Speakers will discuss challenges and opportunities in diagnosis, disparities in diagnosis and strategies to promote equity, and new and improved diagnostic tools.

Nobel Prize Summit
April 26-28
The first-ever Nobel Prize Summit “Our Planet, Our Future” will bring together Nobel Prize laureates and other esteemed leaders in the sciences, policy, business, the youth movement, and the arts to explore actions that can be achieved this decade to put the world on a path to a more sustainable, more prosperous future for all. Co-hosted by the National Academy of Sciences, the summit will draw upon lessons learned from the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to mobilize action on climate change and biodiversity loss; reducing inequality, and technological innovation.  Registration is free and open to the public.

Changing the Culture of Data Management and Sharing
April 28 and 29
Researchers, institutions, and funders face challenges when it comes to sharing and managing data. Keynote presentations at this workshop will discuss what the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us about data sharing. In addition, speakers will examine the legal and ethical issues around data sharing; ways researchers can responsibly share scientific data over the course of a study life cycle; and promising practices for monitoring and evaluating data management.

Reports Scheduled for Release in April
Release dates for the following consensus reports and proceedings from the National Academies depend on successful completion of the review process and publishing schedules. Reporters who would like to be notified when a report is due for release should contact the Office of News and Public Information (e-mail news@nas.edu) and ask to be placed on a contact list.

The Emerging Field of Human Neural Organoids, Transplants, and Chimeras: Science, Ethics, and Governance
Offers findings to provide guidance for scientists, clinicians, regulators, and the general public as they consider how to balance the value of research using these new models for studying the human brain with the ethical concerns they raise.

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