AAAS Advances

Message to Members: Serving Society Globally

AAAS in Action: News to Note
AAAS at Work: Programs at the Forefront
AAAS Science Careers: Events, Tools, Advice
AAAS Announcements: Items of Interest, Events
Read On, Online: Science Sites


This month's Advances is sponsored by Polyplus-transfection
Polyplus's INTERFERin TM siRNA transfection reagent achieves over 90% silencing efficiency at 1 nM siRNA in a wide variety of cells with excellent viability. Using low siRNA concentrations avoids unwanted toxic and off-target effects. INTERFERin TM is ready to use and the transfection protocol is simple. It is compatible with serum and antibiotics. For more information, go to INTERFERin TM siRNA transfection reagent page and ask for a trial size.


Message to Members
SERVING SOCIETY GLOBALLY

Dear AAAS Member,

International cooperation, human rights, work force capacity, sustainable development, global security -- AAAS and our members are a leading force in advancing science and serving society worldwide as we focus on these and other critical challenges and opportunities.

Dr. Vaughan Turekian, our Chief International Officer, recently traveled to Beijing to enhance collaboration with the Chinese S&T community. He urged closer cooperation on issues such as science education, sustainable well-being, and increased exchange among scientists, as he followed up on the AAAS visit to China in 2005.

During June, AAAS hosted the Australian Science Minister who addressed a seminar on scientific cooperation. We also held our first jointly organized press conference in Tokyo related to a forthcoming Science paper. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) joined us at the press conference to discuss work appearing in the first special issue of Science focusing on original, peer-reviewed research primarily by Japanese scientists. In addition, we briefed legislators on Capitol Hill about the challenges and opportunities of the proposed U.S.-India nuclear agreement, and at a forum in Tromso , Norway , Shirley Malcom, head of the AAAS Education and Human Resources program, urged scientists to act as public ambassadors for their work. In May, Japan 's Minister of S&T policy gave his first U.S. public lecture as Minister at AAAS.

From sponsoring career events at the Euroscience Open Forum in Munich, to supporting our S&T Fellows as they work with Iraqi scientists, to using geospatial technology to document human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, AAAS is working to serve society globally.

We thank our members on every continent, including Antarctica , for supporting our worldwide initiatives.

Sincerely,
Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS

P.S. - Be sure to view the second installment of our new Science Online Seminar series. Go to: www.sciencemag.org/onlineseminars.



AAAS in Action
NEWS TO NOTE

Australian Science Minister Addresses AAAS Seminar
"Engaging the World through Science: The View from Down Under" was the topic presented by Julie Bishop, the Australian Minister for Education, Science and Training, during a 22 June seminar. Read about the role of scientific cooperation in meeting global challenges such as climate change, access to water, and clean energy production, and Australia 's bold new investment in innovation: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0630australia.shtml

U.S.-India Nuclear Deal is Focus of Capitol Hill Briefing
The potential impact of the groundbreaking nuclear agreement was the subject of a briefing sponsored by AAAS and presented by two nonproliferation experts. The possibility of long-term innovation and security through sharing of information and safety practices was weighed against concerns about the balance of power between India and its neighbors. Read about the reaction in both countries: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0609india.shtml

AAAS Opens Landmark Chapter with Japanese S&T
A special issue of Science focusing on original peer-reviewed research conducted primarily by Japanese scientists was supported by the first joint press conference in Tokyo related to a forthcoming Science paper. The research and the briefing covered the space mission to Itokawa, a groundbreaking effort to retrieve asteroid samples. Read about the mission behind the research: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0606jaxa.shtml

Science Welcomes Minority Summer Interns
Briahna Gray, soon to be a senior at Harvard, and Diane Garcia, a rising junior at the University of Southern California, are now immersed in science reporting, under the guidance of the journal's writers and editors. The summer internship program gives minority undergraduates a chance to explore the life of a reporter and helps increase diversity in U.S. newsrooms. Read about this and other AAAS initiatives to support women and minorities: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0623interns.shtml

Openness vs. Advocacy: A Discussion with D.C. Science Writers
Scientists who work for U.S. government agencies should be able to speak openly about research findings, neither advocating policy nor having their findings stifled for partisan purposes. This was the consensus of comments by AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner, New York Times environmental reporter Andrew Revkin, and majority chief of staff for the House Committee on Science, David Goldston. Read more about walking the fine line between science and advocacy: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0627advocacy.shtml

AAAS Backs Full Range of Stem Cell Research at U.S. Senate Panel
Speaking out for the potential health and economic benefits of stem cell research, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner told a Senate panel that all avenues should be explored including the most promising approach, which requires cell lines derived from early-stage embryos. Following the 27 June panel, Senate leaders agreed to consider a package of bills that would loosen government restrictions on funding. Read more about the pending legislation at
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0629stemcells.shtml



AAAS at Work
PROGRAMS AT THE FOREFRONT


July AAAS U.S. R&D Funding Summary Update: House Endorses ACI, Defense, and Space R&D Increases in Early Appropriations Actions
In budget actions through the end of June, the U.S. Congress has so far endorsed the large proposed increases for select physical sciences funding agencies in the President's American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI), and has continued to support administration plans to dramatically expand development investments for new spacecraft and weapons technologies. But although the House would add billions of dollars to proposed cuts in some basic and applied research programs, the federal investment in research would still decline in fiscal year (FY) 2007.

The AAAS R&D Budget and Policy Program's new July AAAS U.S. R&D Funding Update provides a summary of federal research and development (R&D) in FY 2007 appropriations so far. It is available on the AAAS R&D website, http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd, along with the latest updates on federal funding of R&D. The R&D website has a Guest Book where you can sign up to receive occasional e-mail updates on the latest information on federal R&D funding from the program. Go to http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd/form.htm 

Education: News Interns Help Science Make Headlines
How do you help foster the effective communication of complex scientific issues to a nonscientist audience? Put advanced science, mathematics, and engineering graduate- and postgraduate-level students in the newsrooms of prominent U.S. news outlets. During the past 32 years, the highly competitive AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellows Program has placed some 518 young scientists in 10-week internships. Read about this summer's 14 interns and their work with National Public Radio, the Los Angeles Times , U.S. News & World Report , Scientific American , and other major outlets: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0607mediafellows.shtml

Online Presentation: Meet Science 's Early Bird Authors
What did one of the earliest members of the lineage leading to modern birds look like? Go to China , 110 million years back in time, and find out with our online presentation: Meet the Science Authors. The scientists who discovered and reported on spectacular new fossils of a loon-like ancient bird in the 16 June issue of Science gave an engaging and humorous account of their work to a packed audience in the AAAS auditorium. Read about their remarks and meet them online:
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0615birds.shtml

Science and Ethics: Super Human Enhancement?
From merely cosmetic treatments to fundamental tinkering with the gene pool--as human enhancement rapidly evolves, scientists and ethicists gathered at AAAS for a two-day meeting to address legal and social implications. The discussion, organized by the AAAS Scientific Freedom, Responsibility & Law Program, ranged from genetic engineering to extended longevity, and the need for responsible application of science as well as broader public engagement on the topic. Find out more: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0609enhancement.shtml

Special Project: Scientific Integrity Online Resource
Now, working scientists and engineers, young scholars and educators can easily access practical resources on ethics and integrity. AAAS and the National Academy of Sciences are collaborating to offer an online resource of articles, essays, forum proceedings, and other materials covering scientific integrity. The collection topics include ethical challenges and dilemmas, health science, intellectual property, engineering and information technology, and editorial opinion pieces. The project demonstrates a continuing commitment to the trust and accountability that are integral to the research enterprise. Access the information:
http://www.aaas.org/programs/centers/pe/integrity.shtml



AAAS Science Careers
EVENTS, TOOLS, ADVICE

For job listings and career development, see: http://www.sciencecareers.org/

How to Make the Most of Your Career Fair,
Boston , Massachusetts , U.S.A.
If you are planning to attend the career fair in Boston , be sure to come to our "Making the Most of Your Career Fair" seminar on 8 August at the Conference Center at Harvard Medical School. Learn how to promote yourself quickly and professionally at this free event. For details, go to: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/meetings/archive/making_the_most_of_your_career_fair__1 To register, go to: http://php.aaas.org/scheduler/register.php?rec=60&left=177

Science Career Fair, Boston , Massachusetts , U.S.A.
On 10 August, Science will host a career fair at the Seaport Hotel in conjunction with the Drug Discovery Technology® World Congress. The event is from 11 am to 4 pm and is free to attendees. Meet recruiters face to face and explore career opportunities for all levels of scientists. Registration for DDT is not required to attend the career fair. For more information, visit http://www.sciencecareers.org/and click on career fairs.

Report on Outreach Events
This year's outreach program continued with the Science Careers and AAAS sponsorship of the first annual Philadelphia Regional Postdoctoral Symposium, held on 12 June at the University of Pennsylvania 's Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. The event featured keynote speaker Peter Fiske, author of "Put Your Science to Work: A Take-Charge Guide for Scientists," and focused on career development issues facing today's postdocs. Seminars included grant writing, mentoring, lab management, and nonacademic career options. For upcoming events, go to http://www.sciencecareers.org/



AAAS Announcements
ITEMS OF INTEREST

Nominations Deadline Nearing for AAAS Awards
The first of August is the deadline for nominations for the prestigious annual AAAS Awards. The awards honor scientists, science communicators, and science mentors for their contributions to scientific progress and public understanding of science. For detailed information on documentation and supporting materials for nominations for the various awards, go to http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/awards/.

AAAS Exhibits the Art of Science and Technology
The gallery at AAAS headquarters in Washington , D.C. , is showing examples of art blending with science in a public exhibit now through 29 September, weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm. Come see the paintings of Rachel von Roeschlaub, the photographs of Al Teich, and the winning images of the 2004 and 2005 NSF/AAAS Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge. Read more about the talented people who blur the boundary between art and science in the 2006 AAAS Art of Science and Technology Summer Show: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0629exhibit.shtml

Just Posted - New  Science Online Seminar
"Actin arginylation has a key role at the cell leading edge", featuring A. Kashina of the University of Pennsylvania.   
Don't miss the compelling new feature from Science : Science Online Seminars. For these seminars, the editors of Science select an author of a breakthrough paper to discuss the application of the research and/or the methods and protocol in an audio/slideshow presentation. The show starts whenever and wherever you want to watch it – it's free and no registration is required. Just go to Science online from computers everywhere: http://www.sciencemag.org/onlineseminars . Science Online Seminars are produced by the Office of Publishing and Member Services.

"Why" Banners Engage the Public
Colorful outdoor banners asking the questions "Why is the sky blue?" and "Do identical twins have identical DNA?" are catching the curious eyes of sightseeing families and Washingtonians who pass AAAS's downtown headquarters. The large banners direct parents, children, and teachers to a special website that gives the answers and the opportunity to ask additional questions. Find out why, at http://www.aaas.org/why/.

Member Benefit of the Month:
Building a Successful Career in Scientific Research , the handy guide for Ph.D. students and postdocs by Phil Dee, is available at a discount through the AAAS Barnes & Noble bookstore..



Meet Up at Upcoming Events
Stop by the AAAS booth to pick up your member pin.

Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) , 15-19 July, Munich , Germany. Information: http://www.esof2006.org/.

Plant Biology 2006, 5-9 August, Boston , Massachusetts , U.S.A. Information: http://www.aspb.org/meetings/pb-2006/.

The Drug Discovery Technology® & Development World Congress (DDT) , 7-10 August, Boston , Massachusetts , U.S.A. Information: www.drugdisc.com/section.asp. (For information on the 10 August career fair, see AAAS Science Careers, above.)

XVI International AIDS Conference
, 13-18 August, Toronto , Canada. Information: http://www.aids2006.org/.

11th International Congress of Human Genetics , 6-10 August, Brisbane , Australia , stands 4-5. Information: http://www.ichg2006.com/.

International Astronomical Union (IAU) XXVI General Assembly, 15-24
August, Prague , Czech Republic , stand 27. Information: http://www.astronomy2006.com/.



Additional Meetings of Interest

Second NCRI Cancer Conference
, 8-11 October, International Convention Centre, Birmingham , U.K.

SBMC 2006 Conference on Systems Biology of Mammalian Cells, 12-14 July, Heidelberg , Germany.

An Interdisciplinary Conference at Chestnut Hill College
, 5-7 October, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Research Training at NIH, ongoing, Bethesda , Maryland , U.S.A.

Find Other Meetings and Events
Search our database of meetings, conferences, career fairs, career workshops, courses, and awards: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/meetings.


This month's Advances is sponsored by Polyplus-transfection
Polyplus's INTERFERin TM siRNA transfection reagent achieves over 90% silencing efficiency at 1 nM siRNA in a wide variety of cells with excellent viability. Using low siRNA concentrations avoids unwanted toxic and off-target effects. INTERFERin TM is ready to use and the transfection protocol is simple. It is compatible with serum and antibiotics. For more information, go to INTERFERin TM siRNA transfection reagent page and ask for a trial size.


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/.