Message to Members: Integrating Science and Public Policy
AAAS in Action : News to Note
AAAS at Work: Programs at the Forefront
AAAS Science Careers : Events, Tools, Advice
AAAS Announcements: Items of Interest
Read On, Online: Science Sites
This month's Advances is sponsored by:
11th Annual Drug Discovery Technology® & Development World Congress
Conference 7-10 August and Exhibition 8-10 August, World Trade Center Boston and Seaport Hotel, Boston , Massachusetts .
Special Offer for AAAS Members
Use VIP Code D3200AAASEN to receive 25% off your onsite full main conference package rates only. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or used on prior registrations and is valid for this event only. For complete program details and discounted registration, call 800-390-4078 (in the U.S. ) or go to http://www.drugdisc.com/us.
Message to Members
INTEGRATING SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY
Dear AAAS Member,
AAAS has an array of programs designed to foster the integration of good science into public policy making. An overall listing of those programs can be found at http://www.aaas.org/programs/science_policy/.
Over the past few years, we have ramped up activities to increase the use of scientific information to enhance national and international security through the AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Security Policy, supported by the MacArthur Foundation. To facilitate communication between academic centers, policy institutions, and policy makers, the Center is currently holding a series of four Capitol Hill seminars on public health preparedness. These seminars, attended by Congressional staffers and others, include new measures for prompt warning of bioterrorism or disease outbreaks, and the geologic constraints on the long-term nuclear waste storage facility in Yucca Mountain , Nevada .
We also discuss and debate the U.S. budget and other policy issues at the annual AAAS Forum on Science & Technology Policy, the major public meeting on this topic. You can access reports from the 31st annual forum, held in April, in the News to Note section below.
AAAS thanks our members for supporting these and other important efforts to integrate science and public policy.
Sincerely,
Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS
P.S. Think you know AAAS? Think again - view our new 3-minute video and see how we're advancing science and serving society. Go to http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas, click on the video, and watch on your computer.
AAAS in Action
NEWS TO NOTE
News from the AAAS Forum on S&T Policy:
Budget Problems Threate U.S. R&DAAAS Speaks Out at U.S. Senate Budget Hearing
A bipartisan panel of influential budget experts warned of dire federal budget problems, which will pose a risk to U.S. funding for research and development and undermine the core of American competitiveness. Some 500 scientists, policy makers, educators, and students attended the Forum. Read about the factors driving the U.S. budget: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0421budget.shtml.
Assessing the Spread of Avian Flu
Leading researchers discussed the role of migratory birds, in comparison with infected poultry or wild birds traded illegally, as agents in spreading the disease. Read about the probable pathways of past outbreaks and a range of preparations for a possible human pandemic: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0426pandemic.shtml.
Connecting Scientists and Society
Princeton University President Emeritus Harold T. Shapiro, an economist and expert in bioethics, delivered the 2006 William D. Carey Lecture during the Forum. He reminded scientists that advances sometimes cause deep cultural uneasiness and urged constructive public dialogue. Read more about the lecture, which honors a past executive officer of AAAS who was a catalyst for the study of R&D in the U.S. federal budget:
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0427shapiro.shtml.
Renewing Commitment to Innovation
Experts at the Forum session on innovation discussed U.S. and European S&T competitiveness, citing renewed recognition of the value of science but warning about shortfalls in the science work force. Read about initiatives from some American states and cities to spur interest in S&T careers, and about the R&D funding goals of the European Union:
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0502innov.shtml.
On 2 May, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner testified before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science and Space, stating that the 2007 budget request for the National Science Foundation will leave important work in education and human resources research unfunded. Read the remarks about the pressing need for funds that bolster science education and research: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0505nsf.shtml.
PBS Documentary Premieres at AAAS
Slow death from pollution threatens Florida 's Everglades ; melting ice sheets jeopardize the Arctic 's polar bears; burning levels the Amazon's jungles. Journey to Planet Earth: The State of the Planet's Wildlife raises alarms about human impact on the environment but filmmakers Hal and Marilyn Weiner find glimmers of hope. Read about the 18 April premiere: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0421wildlife.shtml.
AAAS at Work
PROGRAMS AT THE FOREFRONT
S&T Fellows Create Iraqi Virtual Science Library
In 2004, several AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows who visited Iraq as part of their fellowship program with the U.S. Departments of State and Defense conceived a simple and brilliant idea: offer Iraqi scientists and engineers access to the latest journals and research findings through a web-based library. Eighteen months later, backed by a network of partners spanning the U.S. science, technology, and diplomatic communities, the Iraqi Virtual Science Library came to life. Millions of full-text articles from more than 17,000 journals, plus educational materials, are now available at Iraqi universities and research centers—an important step in rebuilding the science community and a boost to reconstruction efforts.
On 3 May, the project was launched at the U.S. National Academies, which coordinated access to online content. After two years of operation by the public-private coalition, the library will transfer control and servers to Iraqis. Read more about the project: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0509iraq.shtml. Visit the library: https://ivsl.org/. Learn more about the AAAS S&T Policy Fellowship Program: http://www.fellowships.aaas.org/.
AAAS Cites Need to Improve AP Science Courses
Shirley Malcom, head of AAAS Education and Human Resources, joined a panel of experts at the 2 May Capitol Hill briefing on U.S. high school Advanced Placement programs. The panel discussed a major redesign of AP courses, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation and scheduled for introduction in the fall of 2009.
Read about the important new model that will emphasize understanding the essentials of science in teaching biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental sciences: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0508malcom.shtml. Learn more about AAAS initiatives in science education and careers: http://www.aaas.org/programs/education/.
DoSER Presents Lecture on Cosmology
The Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER), established in 1995, builds on AAAS's longstanding commitment to relate scientific knowledge to the concerns of society. On 18 May, the authors of the forthcoming book, The View from the Center of the Universe , continue the free public lecture series. Find out about the special place of intelligent beings in the cosmos and a new perspective on resolving global challenges. For information and to RSVP to the lecture, held in the AAAS auditorium in Washington , D.C. , go to http://www.aaas.org/spp/dser/.
Strengthening the Case for Evolution
In a recent DoSER lecture on evolution, a biologist and a philosopher discussed ways to make the case even stronger, including the understanding of how natural selection leads to speciation, or reproductive isolation. Read about the lecture:
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0428doser.shtml.
AAAS Science Careers
EVENTS, TOOLS, ADVICE
For job listings and career development, see: http://www.sciencecareers.org/.
Building a Successful Career in Scientific Research:
A Guide for Ph.D. Students and Postdocs
In 2000, Phil Dee began sharing his career experiences with fellow scientists in his regular and highly acclaimed Science 's Next Wave column. Now, his invaluable and entertaining advice is available in this compact, warts-and-all guide to getting your science Ph.D. and subsequent postdoctoral employment as a researcher. Copies of the book can be ordered online via the publisher, Cambridge University Press, at http://www.cambridge.org/9780521617406.
NPA Philadelphia Regional Postdoc Symposium
On 12 June, the National Postdoctoral Association is running a free all-day professional development symposium for postdocs at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The purpose of the symposium is to provide postdoctoral scholars in the Philadelphia region with the information, skills, and opportunities to succeed in advancing their professional development and long-term career goals. ScienceCareers.org will sponsor the keynote address, given by Peter Fiske, focusing on job search strategies for postdocs. Click for further information .
AAAS Announcements
ITEMS OF INTEREST
View Video from the USC/AAAS/ Science Conference
"Global Horizons: America 's Challenge in Science and Innovation" brought leading science thinkers and futurists together in Los Angeles , California in April. Read about the panel discussions on stem cell research, China and India as challengers or partners, and science's ability to solve global problems, and link to archived video, at
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0501usc.shtml.
Search the New Multimedia Gallery on EurekAlert!
Use the image search feature to find hundreds of science, medical, and technology images and their use guidelines and link to related news items and more. Visit the Gallery of the AAAS online global news service at http://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/
A subscription to EurekAlert! can help you bring your organization's news and resources to the attention of reporters from the world's top media outlets. Benefits include posting of eligible press releases, listings in EurekAlert!'s Experts Database, and more.
Subscribe to EurekAlert! here: http://www.eurekalert.org/subscription.php.
Enter the Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology
The deadline is 15 June for entries in this international prize competition, which recognizes outstanding research in neurobiology. The research must have been performed during the past three years, and be detailed in an essay not to exceed 1,000 words. For complete rules of eligibility, procedures for entry, and entry form, go to http://www.sciencemag.org/feature/data/prizes/eppendorf/eppenprize.dtl.
Enter the GE & Science Prize for Young Life Scientists
The deadline is 15 July for Ph.D. graduate students worldwide to enter the competition recognizing an outstanding thesis in the general area of molecular biology, as described in a 1000-word essay. For complete eligibility rules, entry procedures, award descriptions, and entry form, go to http://www.sciencemag.org/feature/data/prizes/ge/index.dtl.
AAAS Pacific Division Annual Meeting: San Diego , California
From 18 to 22 June, the 87th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Division and its affiliated societies will be held on the campus of the University of San Diego . Membership in AAAS or its affiliated societies is not required to attend. To register, go to http://www.sou.edu/aaaspd/SanDiego2006/Index.html.
Member Benefit of the Month: Buy a Subaru for Less ( U.S. members)
AAAS members save up to $3,000 off the manufacturer's suggested retail price of a new Subaru through the Subaru VIP Partners Program. AAAS members can purchase or lease any new Subaru vehicle at Dealer Invoice Cost. Before visiting your local Subaru dealer, you must first contact the AAAS Member Services Office at 202-326-6417 or mailto:membership@aaas.org.
Meet Up at Upcoming Events
Stop by the AAAS booth to pick up your member pin.
ACHEMA 2006 , 15-19 May 2006, Frankfurt am Main, exhibition grounds of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage , Germany , Stand A8. Information: http://achema-content.dechema.de/index_d.php
American Society for Microbiology's 106 th Annual General Meeting , 21-25 May,
Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. Information: http://gm.asm.org/.
HGM (Human Genome Meeting), 31 May-3 June, Helsinki , Finland , booths 1 and 2.
Information: http://hgm2006.hugo-international.org/.
2006 ASCO Annual Meeting , 2-6 June, Atlanta , Georgia , U.S.A. Information: http://www.asco.org/.
CST (Communicating Science and Technology), 6-9 June, Tromso , Norway . Keynote speaker from AAAS: Shirley Malcom. Information: http://uit.no/cst/information/.
Additional Meetings of Interest
China BioPharma Opportunities, 13-15 June, Shanghai , China . Complete strategies for pharmaceutical and biotech R&D and business development including navigating the complex regulatory, cultural and business protocols in China . AAAS members can take advantage of a 20% discount by e-mail to mailto:enquiry@ibcasia.com.sgor telephone to +65 6835-5136 using code R3163SC20. Information: http://www.drugdisc.com/China.
FEBS 2006 (Federation of European Biochemical Societies), 31st Congress, 24-29 June, Istanbul , Turkey . Register by 15 June for "Molecules in Health and Disease," co-sponsored by AAAS/ Science . Information: http://www.febs2006.org/.
International Society for Stem Cell Research, 4th Annual Meeting, 29 June-1 July, Toronto , Ontario , Canada . Sponsored by Medical Education Collaborative and International Society for Stem Cell Research. Information: http://www.isscr.org/meetings.
This month's Advances is sponsored by:
11th Annual Drug Discovery Technology® & Development World Congress
Conference 7-10 August and Exhibition 8-10 August, World Trade Center Boston and Seaport Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
Special Offer for AAAS Members
Use VIP Code D3200AAASEN to receive 25% off your onsite full main conference package rates only. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or used on prior registrations and is valid for this event only. For complete program details and discounted registration, call 800-390-4078 (in the U.S. ) or go to http://www.drugdisc.com/us.
READ ON, ONLINE
AAAS News & Notes appears in Science in the last issue of each month. Or access http://www.aaas.org/or http://www.scienceonline.org/.