In this issue:

Message to Members: Advancing Security Policy

News to Note: Stem Cell Veto Statement, Security Briefings, US Budget Analysis

Advancing Science, Serving Society: Global Security, Science and Policy

Science Careers: Career Basics Booklet, Special Features

Announcements: Annual Report, Science Education Prize, and other Announcements and Events

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Message to Members

Advancing Security Policy

Dear AAAS Member,

The integration of science and public policy is a key strategy in meeting our objective of improved national and international security.

The goal of the AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Security Policy (CSTSP) is to encourage new relationships between scientific experts and policymakers who seek reliable, nonpartisan analysis on often controversial security issues. During May and June, the Center held a series of briefings and seminars on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., which covered the use of computer models to quell insurgent-driven strife; response during an agricultural or food emergency; protection of critical computer networks; global efforts to "clean out" nuclear materials; and Brazil's brief pursuit of nuclear weapons.

CSTSP was established three years ago, with Norman Neureiter as director, to facilitate communication between academic centers, policy institutes, and policy makers. Fully funded through the support of the Science, Technology & Security initiative of the MacArthur Foundation, the center also organized a major meeting of the initiative's grantees, 27-29 June in Washington , D.C.

For more information on the Center's work, see News to Note and Advancing Science, Serving Society, below. We thank our members for their support in advancing global security to serve society worldwide.

Sincerely,


Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS

P.S. As Don Kennedy announces his retirement, we applaud his tenure and thank him for his contributions as editor-in-chief of Science . More information is in News to Note, below.

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News to Note

AAAS Decries Second Stem Cell Veto
Immediately after US President George W. Bush vetoed a landmark stem cell research funding bill on 20 June, AAAS issued a statement saying the scientific society "stands with a broad coalition of Americans spanning all parties and faiths that supports this bill." The bill, which would have lifted restrictions on funding for medical research using embryonic stem cells due to be discarded after in vitro fertility treatments, won strong bi-partisan support but fell just short of the two-thirds supermajority needed to override the veto. Read the full statement and the results of a survey among infertility patients showing that 62 percent would be willing to donate embryos "for research to understand or develop treatment for human disease or injury."

Geneticist Urges Recovery of "Middle Ground" for Science and Faith
Dr. Francis S. Collins shared his personal journey as a scientist and a Christian, describing his views as his "theistic evolution" during a spring presentation at AAAS. As both a physician-scientist studying the human genome and a believer in God, Collins finds "research in genetics is an occasion not just of scientific enjoyment, but an opportunity to appreciate the grandeur of God's creation, and in effect, to worship." Listen to the audio or watch the video of his address, given to AAAS S&T Policy Fellows .

Science Wins Prestigious Spanish Award for Contributions to Society
Science was jointly selected, along with the journal Nature, to receive this year's Communication and Humanities Award from Spain 's Prince of Asturias Foundation. Crown Prince Felipe will bestow the award during a ceremony set to take place 26 October in Spain . The Foundation , formed in 1980 under the presidency of His Royal Highness Prince Felipe de Borbón, heir to the throne of Spain , honors scientific, technical, cultural, social, and humanitarian work carried out internationally by individuals, groups or organizations, across eight categories. Read more about this award and the journals which were cited on a Spanish-language website for "publishing some of the most innovative and important work of the last 150 years."

Seminar Focuses on Computer Models to Combat Insurgencies
While acknowledging that computer models are still in their infancy, two scientists who have been using models to assess the behavior of insurgent groups stressed their emerging role in helping military commanders and political leaders make more informed decisions. Computers have already been used to extract data from Afghan media reports to assess the perceived strength of the country's president; to measure activities of the militant Hezbollah group based in Lebanon as they relate to increased or decreased suicide attacks; and to offer options to US forces in Iraq to secure old silk roads in the Diyala province. Read more about social science modeling and the goals for future use, presented at a 14 June US Capitol Hill seminar organized by AAAS.

Briefing Urges Improved Coordination During US Food Emergencies
Agricultural or food emergencies, whether natural or resulting from a bioterrorist attack, require quick response by local, state, and federal agencies. Coordinated action was urged by two experts from the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) during a US Capitol Hill briefing sponsored by AAAS on 21 June. Read more about the recommendations for education programs that engage local and state governments in identifying and reporting food safety threats and coordination efforts that improve communication among all levels of government.

Brazilian Scientist Discusses Nuclear Weapons, Ethanol
Physicist José Goldemberg, former Secretary of State for Science and Technology for Brazil , and former president of the Brazilian Association for the Advancement of Science, discussed his nation's brief pursuit of nuclear weapons during the 1980s at a US Capitol Hill Briefing on 25 June. In 1991, he convinced Brazil 's president that the program was not in the country's national interest. A second event, on 27 June, brought the physicist to a seminar at AAAS to discuss Brazil 's growing sugarcane ethanol program and the promising future for this renewable energy resource. Read more.

Analysis of US Budget Shows Large Increases for Federal R&D
A new analysis by the AAAS R&D Budget and Policy Program shows that US House draft appropriations bills for the 2008 fiscal year include the greatest levels of science funding since 2004. Significant proposed increases include energy-related R&D, climate change research, and National Science Foundation and Veterans Affairs R&D. Access the details and links to continuing updates on the status of FY 2008 appropriations as the bills move through Congress.

Experts Urge Universities to Collaborate in Increasing Minorities in S&T
A two-day spring workshop organized by the National Academies and hosted at AAAS presented strategies for universities to foster a more diverse scientific work force. While gains over the past 30 years were cited, barriers such as poor precollege preparation, insufficient financial aid, and inadequate academic support on campus remain. Read about the input from more than 200 participants supporting the study of research-based findings and improved communication through peer-reviewed journals.

New Booklets Promote Planning for Healthy Babies
A series of three plain-language booklets from AAAS and The Heinz Endowments were released 30 June during a free public health fair in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . The booklets, freely available through participating regional libraries, are part of a larger strategy to reduce the rate of babies born prematurely and the incidence of infant mortality. Read more about the booklets covering healthy pregnancies, childbirth, and newborns. Read the series online .

Science Editor Announces Retirement
Since 1 June 2000 , Donald Kennedy has provided exceptional leadership as editor-in-chief of Science. He recently announced plans to retire from the journal, and an international search for his replacement, chaired by AAAS President David Baltimore, has been launched. AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner commented that Kennedy "sets the bar very high." Read more.

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Advancing Science, Serving Society

Global Security: Center for Science, Technology and Security Policy
The Center's mission is to serve as a smart, two-way portal between the academic community and policy-makers, organizing policy briefings and seminars, and coordinating study groups and reports on issues such as the future of the Reliable Replacement Warhead program. This report, released 24 April, was cited by both the US House Armed Services Committee and the US House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee. In addition to the initiatives covered in News to Note, the Center sponsored a Capitol Hill Seminar with leading specialists calling for action to "clean out" excess weapons-grade nuclear materials. Another recent Capitol Hill Briefing presented internet security experts who urged improved US security of vital computer networks by incorporating the ability to restore important services during an attack, accident, or failure.

CSTSP facilitates access to the best available scientists on any given security issue. Read more about the program , see the extensive database of security policy experts , view the calendar of events , and join the weekly mail list .

Address by German Minister: Science and Policy Programs
The Washington , D.C. , science policy community gathered in early June for an event at the National Press Club organized by AAAS and the German Embassy. Annette Schavan, German Minister for Education and Research, said that her country's prosperity and the ability to address pressing issues of the 21 st century including climate change and medical technology will be spurred by collaboration between research and industry and a strong investment in education. Read more about American/German S&T relationships and Germany 's cabinet-approved High-Tech Strategy initiatives.

AAAS Science and Policy Programs include initiatives on human rights, scientific freedom, research competitiveness, R&D budget analysis, ethics and religion, security, Congress, and fellowships for scientists and engineers.

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Science Careers

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

Career Basics Booklet: Available for Free Download
Science Careers' editorial team released "Career Basics: Advice and Resources for Scientists" in early 2007, and in less than three months, more than 5,000 print copies of the booklet were distributed. To keep up with demand, Science Careers has made both an HTML and a PDF version available for download. The booklet provides advice and help on preparing CVs and resumes, writing grants and scientific papers, networking, and more. Access your copy .

Feature Article: Getting Published in Scientific Journals
Gain valuable insight and tips for writing and submitting work to major journals. Read the article .

Special Feature: Science Careers for Undergraduates
Undergraduate scientists can take advantage of a leg up to the first few rungs on the career ladder. Starting with the 6 July issue of Science , we have extended coverage of science careers to the issues and decisions undergraduates face. Read the special feature .

Science Careers and AAAS on Facebook
José Fernández , one of our Science Careers' staff members, would like to be your friend on Facebook. If you have a Facebook account, add José to your list of friends and he'll point you toward valuable career advice and answer your career questions. You can also join the AAAS group on Facebook to share ideas with colleagues and learn more about advancing your career. The AAAS group lists upcoming events hosted or sponsored by AAAS, many of which feature renowned scientists and are free to the public.

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Announcements

Download the 2006 AAAS Annual Report
"Grand Challenges, Great Opportunities," the 2006 Annual Report, is now available for download in PDF format. The report includes public statements, programs, scientific breakthroughs, awards, financial summary, and more. Access the report.

Call for Nominations and Applications for AAAS Awards: Deadlines Approaching
Nominations and applications for AAAS Awards and Prizes can be submitted via the web for an awards presentation during the 2008 AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston , 14-18 February. Access information about the nomination process, application procedures, and deadlines for various awards (31 July-15 August).

View a Video of the Biomarker Discovery Webinar
Watch a panel of experts describe the promise of autoantibodies as biomarkers for cancer and autoimmune disease. Learn how to advance biomarker discovery research using proteomics approaches and hear about the successful application of protein arrays to research in ovarian cancer. Access the video .

Attend the International Congress of Genetics , Berlin , Germany
The once-a-decade conference will be held next year, 12-17 July, 2008. The Congress will present 10 plenary lectures and 54 concurrent symposia with 280 of the world's most prominent genetics researchers focusing on recent developments in genetics and genomic insights and applications. Access details and registration information.

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About AAAS

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