AAAS Advances

Message to Members: Celebrating Achievement
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
Member Benefit: 10% Discount at AAAS Store
Read On, Online: Science Sites

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Message to Members
CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENT

Dear AAAS Member,

As we end this year, we pause to laud the scientists who make particularly outstanding contributions to our vital mission of advancing science and serving society.

International cooperation, scientific freedom and responsibility, mentoring underrepresented students, advancing science, reporting science -- extraordinary accomplishments in these and other areas will be honored by the prestigious AAAS Awards during our 2007 Annual Meeting, 15-19 February in San Francisco, California.

Throughout the year, AAAS supports and gives recognition to scientific accomplishments, from breakthrough papers published in Science, to excellence in science books, to a special focus on early career scientists with two special awards supported by our partners: the GE Healthcare/ Science Prize for Young Life Scientists, citing work in molecular biology; and the Eppendorf/ Science Prize in Neurobiology. Just last month, AAAS Science Journalism Awards named exceptional communicators in newspaper, magazine, broadcast, online, and children’s science news media .

In turn, the work of AAAS is also recognized by numerous awards. Science has been cited by distinguished organizations for excellence in S&T communications, public service, and outstanding journalism. Recently, Science Update, our educational radio program for the public, received the New York Festival’s 2006 Silver World Medal in science and technology programming.

During this holiday season, I would like to thank our members and supporters around the globe for their dedication to advancing science to create a healthier, more humane and secure world. We wish you all a healthy, happy, and productive New Year.

Sincerely,
Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS

P.S. Look for the Breakthrough of the Year in the 22 December issue of Science.

AAAS in Action
NEWS TO NOTE

Survey Measures U.S. Life Scientists’ Job Satisfaction
Salary is important, but other factors are considered more important in overall job satisfaction, according to a survey published in the 3 November issue of Science . Additional factors that determine job satisfaction include promotion opportunities, job security, and intellectual challenge -- and, among young scientists, mentoring and collaboration potential. The survey analyzed 4,500 responses from scientists in academia, industry, government, and the nonprofit sector. On average, respondents rated their job satisfaction between "good" and "very good," with salary having little impact.
Full article >>

Study Group Evaluates University Policies and Participation of Minorities
Many minority social science graduate students are struggling to succeed in a hostile campus culture, according to department chairs and faculty leaders who attended a two-day study group at AAAS in October. The experts represent universities participating in the National Science Foundation Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) and Alliances for Graduate Education in the Professorate (AGEP) Program. Read about recommendations for improvement in academic advising, financial aid, and admissions policies in the full article.
Full article >>

Leadership Seminar in S&T Policy Presents Opportunities and Challenges
The prestigious AAAS Leadership Seminar, a compact version of the annual two-week orientation given to AAAS S&T Policy Fellows, brought scientists, educators, and industry officials to Washington , D.C. in mid-November.

The opening topic was the 2006 U.S. congressional election, with author Thomas E. Mann presenting his cautiously "bullish" assessment of the improved environment for scientific research and science education with incoming Democrats as new committee chairs.
Related article >>

In another session, John H. Marburger III, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, stated that some issues of concern, such as the increased federal funding that has stimulated even greater increases in research capacity and competition, are being overlooked.
Related article >>

A separate panel of influential policy makers and experts included David Kay, former CIA chief weapons inspector, who said that the United States needs to address threats posed by stateless terrorists and nuclear rogue states rather than continue the Cold War mindset of investment in massive weapons systems. Others on the panel discussed embryonic stem cell research, nanotechnology, energy and climate, and space exploration policy issues.
Related article >>

Digital Architects Fine Tune the Library of the Future
While the Internet spawned enormous possibilities in science education, it took the National Science Digital Library to hone its power into an efficient research tool. For the past 11 years, the U.S. National Science Foundation and a corps of visionaries funded by NSF have built a library for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, including the AAAS-managed BiosciEdNet (BEN) portal. Read about the library’s annual meeting, held at AAAS, and plans for the future.
Full article >>

AAAS at Work
PROGRAMS AT THE FOREFRONT

Decoding the Dead Sea Scrolls: DoSER Lecture Series
"How do you reconstruct a book that is unknown? You use DNA," said Adolfo Roitman, curator of the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem . Roitman explained the process of piecing together ancient manuscripts from fragments during a lecture sponsored by the AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER). Read about the dramatic glimpse into the foundations of monotheism offered by the Dead Sea Scrolls, now being decoded 60 years after their accidental discovery by a Bedouin shepherd in the caves of Qumran .
Full article >>

Download DoSER’s Free Evolution Dialogues Study Guide
In addition to the public lecture series, DoSER facilitates communication between scientific and religious communities through published materials. Now, The Evolution Dialogues: Science, Christianity, and the Quest for Understanding , has a free companion study guide.
Order the book or download the guide .

The Planet of the Microbes: Advancing Science Seminar
Long before humans populated the Earth, large numbers of microbes controlled the key chemical cycles that produce life essentials such as oxygen and organic forms of carbon and nitrogen. Speaking at the 26 October Philip Hauge Abelson Advancing Science Seminar, experts discussed utilizing these processes for applications such as mitigating the effects of climate change or producing electricity. But the experts also urged caution in tinkering with natural cycles. "Human beings have, in the last 150 to 200 years, so critically altered the carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, nitrogen, water cycles," said Paul Falkowski, a professor in the Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences and Dept. of Geological Sciences at Rutgers University , "that society is on a path toward unsustainable development." He called for reductions in carbon dioxide and sulfur emissions and in the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers so that we can return to a world "where microbes basically are taking care of the cycles for us, because we cannot take care of the cycles for ourselves."
Watch or listen to the seminar .

"Microbes, Minerals, and the Environment" and other seminars in the series honor the late Philip Hauge Abelson who served as editor of Science and AAAS senior adviser. The seminars focus on the frontiers of science and technology and promote the exchange of cutting-edge information.

Mission to Mercury: Science Education
Now streaking past Venus on the way to Mercury, with a flyby due in January 2008, NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft has inspired a new book designed to heighten student interest in space sciences. The 72-page volume, Exploring the Inner Solar System: Expecting the Unexpected , features dozens of intriguing pictures and detailed descriptions of past and future missions. NASA has trained science educators to conduct national outreach workshops on the mission, estimating that they, in turn, have trained more than 3,800 teachers to date. The AAAS Education and Human Resources Program, a key partner in the MESSENGER education campaign, is producing websites with game-like modules for students and detailed lesson plans for K-12 teachers. Educators may request a copy of the book by contacting bhirshon@aaas.org .

AAAS Science Careers
EVENTS, TOOLS, ADVICE

Kick Off the New Year with a New Career
You can take your next career step with a new job or a fresh perspective on your current position. ScienceCareers.org offers thousands of searchable job postings . In addition, you can get expert career advice from the Career Forum where advisers will field your questions -- everything from negotiating a salary to career transitions. These resources are freely available at http://www.sciencecareers.org/ .

Tools for Researchers: A Career Development Workshop
Report from 2 December, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm , Sweden
The full report, presentation slides, and photos from the well-attended full-day training workshop for Ph.D. students and postdocs are now available online. Topics discussed at the workshop included opportunities outside research, marketing oneself, and working in the pharmaceutical industry. Among the presenters were Science Senior Editor Peter Stern and European Programme Director Seema Sharma. U.S. Outreach Program Manager, Garth Fowler, also attended the event.
Full article >>

AAAS Announcements
ITEMS OF INTEREST

Register Online for the 2007 AAAS Annual Meeting
From 15 to 19 February in San Francisco , AAAS will convene "Science and Technology for Sustainable Well-Being." Explore topics ranging from efforts to mitigate global warming to the latest developments in robotics and virtual worlds, from global health challenges to the mysteries of the universe. Hear cutting-edge lectures by Nobelist Steven Chu, climate scientist Susan Solomon, and Google co-founder Larry Page.
Register for the Annual Meeting >>

Apply for a Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship (Deadline 15 Jan 2007 )
For more than 30 years, the AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship program has trained student scientists to become better communicators. Fellows work as science reporters for the summer at renowned mass media sites nationwide.
Get more info and an application for the summer 2007 program >>

Apply for a Minority Science Writers Internship (Deadline 1 Mar 2007 )
AAAS offers a summer internship program for undergraduate minority students interested in pursuing a career in science journalism. Interns learn from the editors and writers of the journal Science , located within the Washington , D.C. , headquarters of AAAS.
Get more info and an application for the summer 2007 program >>

Give the Gift of Science and Save
Say happy holidays all year by giving the gift of knowledge and discovery each week -- 51 issues of Science plus all the benefits of AAAS membership. Take advantage of our special gift subscription rates: Professional, $99 and Student/Postdoc, $50.
Give Science print (U.S.) >>
Give Science Digital (international) >>
No discount - Give Science print (international) >>

Consider a Year-End Gift to Advance Global Well-Being
While remaining steadfast in our mission to "Advance Science and Serve Society," AAAS also was particularly active this year in addressing significant challenges to the overall scientific enterprise. Please lend your support to our work on the frontlines of public debate, confronting threats to the integrity of science and communicating its importance in our lives. For online donations, visit http://www.aaas.org and select "Make a Gift" in the left-hand tower. Or, for additional ways of giving, contact AAAS Development at +1 (202) 326-6636 or development@aaas.org .

December FY 2007 Appropriations Update
"Federal Research Funding In Decline as Appropriations Stall"
Now available on the AAAS R&D website
http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd

AAAS MEMBER BENEFIT
Save 10% on Holiday Gifts at the AAAS Online Store
Check your list and fill it in one stop with special AAAS/ Science branded merchandise: tees, shirts, jackets, and caps; travel mugs and cold beverage bottles; computer and drawstring backpacks; and more. AAAS members receive a 10% discount.
Go to the store >> Use code HP95 at checkout.

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

AAAS Annual Meeting, 15-19 February 2007, San Francisco , California , U.S.A.
Register for the Annual Meeting >>

Additional Meetings of Interest

International Biogeography Society , 9-13 January 2007, Tenerife , Canary Islands . AAAS is a sponsor.

Animal Health Research: Recent Developments and Future Directions , 24-26 January, Cambridge , UK . Science and Wellcome Trust are sponsors.

Postdoctoral Research Training at NIH , Events through 15 January 2007 , Bethesda , Maryland , U.S.A.

Santa Fe Institute 2007 Complex Systems Summer Schools , Events through 19 January 2007 , Santa Fe , New Mexico , U.S.A.

Evolutionary Change in Human-altered Environments: An International Summit , 8-10 February 2007, Los Angeles , California , 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 .

READ ON, ON LINE
AAAS News & Notes appears in Science in the last issue of each month. Or access http://www.aaas.org/ or http://www.scienceonline.org/ .