Consensus
The next decade of planetary science and astrobiology holds tremendous promise. New research will expand our understanding of our solar system's origins, how planets form and evolve, under what conditions life can survive, and where to find potentially habitable environments in our solar system and beyond. Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023-2032 highlights key science questions, identifies priority missions, and presents a comprehensive research strategy that includes both planetary defense and human exploration. This report also recommends ways to support the profession as well as the technologies and infrastructure needed to carry out the science.
736 pages
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8.5 x 11
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-47578-3
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-49046-4
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/26522
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2023. Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023-2032. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Workshop
Global pandemics often begin when a virus jumps from animals to humans, leading to initial cases of infection - sometimes referred to as "patient zero." As the world recovers from COVID-19, understanding how pathogens first spill over into human populations is critical to prevention efforts. The National Academies' Forum on Microbial Threats convened a workshop in January 2025 to examine how ecological, social, and technological factors shape the emergence of new infectious diseases in humans. Speakers addressed gaps in understanding of disease emergence with a focus on the human-animal interface and laboratory biosafety. This Proceedings of a Workshop summarizes the presentations and discussions that took place at the event.
98 pages
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6 x 9
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-60176-2
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60174-6
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29313
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Understanding the Introduction of Pathogens into Humans: Preventing Patient Zero: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Rapid_expert_consultation
Clear, timely communication is essential for responding to public health emergencies, such as extreme weather, wildfires, and infectious disease outbreaks. The growing frequency of such crises, which is straining an already fragile public health communication system, may further weaken this system. What is more, recent emergencies highlight the urgent need to strengthen the communication infrastructure. This rapid expert consultation outlines approaches to building strategic collaborations as essential infrastructure for effective public health communication. It is targeted to state and local health leaders, emergency response officials, communications staff, community organizations, and other partners. It highlights actionable strategies for improving state and local collaboration, with attention to assessing what kind of collaboration is needed, initiating that collaboration, tending to the quality of the relationship, and coordinating effectively among collaborating partners.
34 pages
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8.5 x 11
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ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60032-4
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29268
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Strategies for State and Local Collaboration with Community Partnerships to Enhance Public Health Communication During Emergencies: A Rapid Expert Consultation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Consensus
Minerals form the foundation of our infrastructure, manufacturing, energy systems, and everyday technologies. Demand for these minerals, especially critical minerals, is rapidly increasing, highlighting the need for reliable sourcing and for resilient supply networks to ensure energy security and national competitiveness, and support technological innovation.
The Mineral Resources Program (MRP), within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), plays a central role in addressing the nation's mineral resource challenges by providing the unbiased science and data needed to inform decision making across government, private industry, and academia. At the request of the USGS, the National Academies reviewed MRP and considered how it might best position itself to address current and future mineral resource challenges facing the nation.
This report finds that MRP has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation during rapid budget fluctuations and renewed national attention on mineral resources, especially critical minerals, and has significantly advanced mineral deposit science, exploration, and analysis. The report recommends that MRP remain proactive in its priorities, set production targets for critical minerals, create a national atlas of resource potential, improve data delivery, establish external advisory input, regularly update its strategic plan, and strengthen collaboration across USGS and with external partners. These recommendations are intended to help MRP achieve its mission while supporting national objectives and remaining the national authority on minerals information, analysis, research, and assessment.
144 pages
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7 x 10
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-73529-7
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-73530-0
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29068
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Meeting Future U.S. Mineral Resource Needs: The Role of the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Public transportation agencies throughout the United States have introduced, or are planning to introduce, zero-emission buses and supporting technologies into their fleets. Consequently, transit agencies need to train current employees and hire new employees with the relevant skills to safely and effectively operate and maintain these complex vehicles.
TCRP Research Report 252: Public Transit Workforce Development for Zero-Emission Vehicles, from TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program, identifies and is organized around seven areas (referred to as tasks) that transit agencies will need to address. Each task identifies the skills and knowledge needed by transit agency frontline employees to operate and maintain zero-emission vehicles in revenue service, specifically full-size, 40- to 60-foot battery-electric and fuel-cell buses.
114 pages
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8.5 x 11
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-60102-9
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60103-7
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29287
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Public Transit Workforce Development for Zero-Emission Vehicles. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Workshop_in_brief
Obesity remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in the U.S., contributing to increased risks of chronic disease, mobility limitations, and health care costs. While physical activity is widely recognized as a cornerstone to prevent and treat obesity, questions remain about effective ways to integrate movement into clinical care and daily life - particularly in light of new obesity management medications, evolving technology, and diverse individual needs.
The National Academies' Roundtable on Obesity Solutions convened a workshop in July 2025 which explored physical activity not only as a mechanism for weight management but also as a critical component of holistic health and well-being. The workshop also examined the effectiveness of physical activity across prevention and treatment settings; integrating physical activity into clinical, community, and policy frameworks; and the influence of emerging technologies on obesity care. This Proceedings of a Workshop-In Brief summarizes discussions and presentations from the workshop.
17 pages
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8.5 x 11
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ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60173-8
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29312
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Exploring the Role of Physical Activity in Obesity Treatment, Body Weight Management, and Related Health Outcomes in Adults: Proceedings of a Workshop - in Brief. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Transit agencies use electrical traction (overhead catenary or third rail)—which is typically designed using high alternating-current or direct-current voltages—for the propulsion of trains. The running rails are used as part of the system to return negative power to substations. Insulated joints (IJs) are trackwork components installed in the rails to provide train control circuits and traction power segment separation between blocks.
TCRP Research Report 255: Investigation and Mitigation of Insulated Joint Electrical Failure: A Guide, from TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program, provides information on how to identify arcing at IJs, methods to diagnose the contributing factors, underlying causes, strategies for investigating IJ failures, and examples of how others have mitigated arcing.
178 pages
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8.5 x 11
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-60053-7
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60054-5
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29274
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Investigation and Mitigation of Insulated Joint Electrical Failure: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Each year, the Gulf Research Program (GRP) produces an annual report to summarize how funds were used. These reports review accomplishments, highlight activities, and, over time, will assess metrics to determine how the program is progressing in accomplishing its goals. The 2024 annual report is the 11th report in this series.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's GRP is an independent, science-based program founded in 2013 as part of legal settlements with the companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The GRP's mission is to develop, translate, and apply science to enhance the safety of offshore energy, the environment, and the well-being of the people of the Gulf region for generations to come. It supports innovative science, guides data design and monitoring, and builds and sustains networks to generate long-term benefits for the Gulf region and the nation.
28 pages
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8.5 x 11
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ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60067-7
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29277
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Gulf Research Program Annual Report 2024. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Concerns about transit assaults and perceived safety play an important role in transit use and ridership. Research shows that if people felt more secure when traveling and waiting at railway stations, the ridership could increase by 10 percent.
TCRP Research Report 258: Mitigation Strategies for Deterring Transit Assaults, from TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program, equips agencies with practical strategies and evidence-based recommendations to enhance safety and security in the transit environment.
92 pages
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8.5 x 11
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-99483-7
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-99484-5
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29204
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Mitigation Strategies for Deterring Transit Assaults. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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In today’s rapidly evolving environment, state transportation agencies frequently face challenges that require specific organizational capabilities. In 2019, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program developed the Agency Capability Building (ACB) Portal, which presents a framework, supporting tools, and resources for enhancing transportation capacity.
NCHRP Web-Only Document 439: Implementing the Agency Capability Building Framework to Activate Organizational Change documents the activities, participants, data collected, and lessons learned from an effort designed to facilitate the use of the ACB by transportation agencies. The report also includes linked resources and appendices that represent key products of the research.
54 pages
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8.5 x 11
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ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60201-7
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29324
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementing the Agency Capability Building Framework to Activate Organizational Change. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Workshop_in_brief
As communities work to improve outcomes for children and families, there is a growing call for stronger partnerships between public systems and private-sector leaders and investors. In response to this, the Forum for Children's Well-Being of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop, The Business of Flourishing: Innovative Investments in Children and Youth, on May 19, 2025. This convening brought together leaders from philanthropy, finance, business, health care, government, research, and community organizations to explore how new forms of collaboration can support children's well-being. The workshop is part of a broader series developed in follow-up to the Launching Lifelong Health report, designed to explore in greater depth key areas of innovation and need identified in that report - this session focused on financing prevention with particular attention to collaboration between public and private partners. This publication highlights the presentations and discussion of the workshop.
13 pages
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8.5 x 11
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ISBN Ebook: 0-309-99598-1
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29235
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Public–Private Partnerships to Advance Child and Youth Flourishing: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operates Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facilities at airports nationwide, processing some 1.1 million flights each year. From major hubs to smaller regional gateways, these facilities serve tourists, business travelers, and families connecting across borders.
ACRP Transportation Insights 7: Modernization of Federal Inspection Services Facilities at U.S. Airports, from TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program, captures the discussions at an event that explored how CBP facilities at U.S. airports can evolve in the years and decades ahead.
64 pages
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8.5 x 11
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-60106-1
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60107-X
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29288
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Modernization of Federal Inspection Services Facilities at U.S. Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Consensus
Billions of gallons of water per day are channeled from northern California to drier Central and Southern California through the network of dams, canals, and other features that comprise the federal Central Valley Project (CVP), operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), and the State Water Project (SWP), operated by the California Department of Water Resources. At least two thirds of California's population and more than 4 million acres of California farmland rely in whole or in part on water delivered by these projects. In addition to delivering water to meet diverse demands, the Projects must also protect six endangered fish species, including Delta smelt, longfin smelt, Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, California Central Valley steelhead, and the southern distinct population segment of North American green sturgeon.
At the request of the USBR, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine established a committee to conduct a biennial review of the monitoring, modeling, and other relevant scientific activities of the CVP and the SWP. This first report in the series examines three actions designed to help protect the fish - the Shasta Coldwater Pool Management Action, the Old and Middle River Flow Management Action, and the Summer-Fall Habitat Action for Delta Smelt. The report evaluates the scientific basis for each of the actions, along with monitoring and modeling needs, and makes specific recommendations for strengthening each of them to help them reach their stated goals.
352 pages
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8.5 x 11
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-99279-6
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60115-0
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29130
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Review of the Long-Term Operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Individuals and families across the United States face growing challenges in accessing timely, high-quality primary care, which is essential to overall health and well-being. The delivery of such care is becoming more complex, placing undue strain on primary care clinicians and exacerbating existing workforce shortages.
A National Academies committee recently examined the inputs and functions needed for interprofessional teams to successfully and sustainably deliver high-quality primary care. The committee concluded the nation must support the primary care workforce through appropriate and supportive payment; hold payers, states, and health systems accountable in ensuring that such payment reaches primary care practices; and sufficiently train an interprofessional workforce. This report offers nine specific recommendations for how federal agencies and other key players can better support the provision of high-quality, interprofessional, team-based primary care.
58 pages
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6 x 9
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-99564-7
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-99565-5
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29226
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Building a Workforce to Develop and Sustain Interprofessional Primary Care Teams. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Consensus
U.S. national security depends on defense software that is secure, reliable, and agile. At the request of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conducted a study to explore how to enhance the assurance and agility of large-scale, integrated software-based systems. This report recommends ways the Department of Defense can engineer and manage its software systems to reduce cyber risk and enable more rapid system evolution to meet changing mission needs.
134 pages
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8.5 x 11
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-99273-7
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-99274-5
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29129
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Defense Software for a Contested Future: Agility, Assurance, and Incentives. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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NCHRP Web-Only Document 425: Development of the Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems, Third Edition is supplemental to and documents the research objectives, methods, and results of NCHRP Research Report 1148: Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems, Third Edition.
32 pages
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8.5 x 11
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ISBN Ebook: 0-309-99390-3
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29159
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Development of the Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems: Third Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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NCHRP Research Report 1148: Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems, Third Edition, from TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program, presents updated guidelines for integrating human factors (HF) principles into the planning, design, construction, and operation of roadway systems. The guidelines build on previous editions of Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems.
Supplemental to the report is NCHRP Web-Only Document 425: Development of the Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems, Third Edition.
492 pages
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8.5 x 11
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-99386-5
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-99387-3
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29158
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems: Third Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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The U.S. medicolegal death investigation system is responsible for investigating and providing determinations of cause and manner of death, playing a vital role in the nation's public health and criminal justice systems. Recent, high-profile deaths in custody cases have drawn widespread attention to the determinations of cause and manner of death made by forensic pathologists, medical examiners, and coroners, and questions have been raised about the scientific validity of such determinations.
Strengthening the U.S. Medicolegal Death Investigation System: Lessons from Deaths in Custody evaluates the handling of deaths in police custody by the medicolegal death investigation system and recommends actions to strengthen the nation's medicolegal death investigation system.
204 pages
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6 x 9
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-99588-4
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-99586-8
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29232
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Strengthening the U.S. Medicolegal Death Investigation System: Lessons from Deaths in Custody. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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Workshop_series
The Gulf of Alaska and the Southern Gulf Coast have been the sites of the two worst oil spills in U.S. history, Exxon Valdez (1989) and Deepwater Horizon (2010), respectively. These spills had devastating impacts on the environment, human health, the local economy, the seafood industry, and local communities’ way of life. While the incidents differed in many ways, the response and recovery efforts both worked to restore the environment and help communities move on from their losses.
To explore best practices and lessons learned from these oil spills, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Gulf Research Program launched a three-part workshop series to bring together people with connections to the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon oil spills to discuss the challenges, successes, and areas where improvements could be made. The first workshop was held in Anchorage, Alaska in October 2024; the second workshop was held in Thibodaux, Louisiana in December 2024; and the final workshop was held in Washington, D.C. in March of 2025. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions of the workshops.
244 pages
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6 x 9
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paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-99440-3
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60122-3
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17226/29176
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Gulf-Alaska Knowledge Exchange: Learning from the Legacy of Past Oil Spills: Proceedings of a Workshop Series. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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