In this issue:

Message to Members: 2010 Annual Meeting Celebrates "Bridging Science and Society"

News to Note: New AAAS Fellows, Challenges of H1N1, Breakthrough of the Year, Science as US-Iran Bridge, Human Rights Work, Health Impacts of Climate Change, Personalized Medicine, Underrepresented Minorities, Bench to Bedside Breakthroughs, Leadership Seminar, Weapons Proliferation

Science Careers: Upcoming Events

Announcements: SB&F Now Online, Helium-3 Workshop, Photography Exhibit, Minority Science Writers Internships, AAAS President's Circle

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Message to Members

2010 Annual Meeting Celebrates "Bridging Science and Society"

Dear Colleagues,

Scientists, engineers, educators, and policy makers from all over the globe will gather in San Diego, California, from February 18 to 22 to discuss "Bridging Science and Society." The interdisciplinary and international AAAS Annual Meeting will draw participants from more than 50 countries.

During the meeting, we'll also be celebrating 25 years of science education reform through AAAS's Project 2061; 50 years of accomplishment in academic research by the University of California, San Diego; 60 years of scientific support from the US National Science Foundation and its National Science Board; and 350 years of achievement by The Royal Society, the world's oldest scientific academy.

AAAS President Peter C. Agre, Nobel Prize winner in chemistry and leader of the recent AAAS science diplomacy delegations to Cuba and North Korea, will open the meeting with the annual President's Address. Plenary speakers include physicist Barry C. Barish, Nobel Prize winner in physiology or medicine; Carol W. Greider, President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology; co-chair Eric S. Lander; and US Geological Survey director Marcia McNutt. A topical lecture series includes language and neuroscience expert Karen Emmorey, sustainability specialist Robert T. Fraley, cellular and molecular medicine professor Lawrence S. B. Goldstein, economist James J. Heckman, US Under Secretary for Energy Kristina M. Johnson, earth sciences specialist Thomas Hillman Jordan, Nobel Prize-winning economist James J. Heckman, and high school biology teacher Jay Vavra,.

In addition to 147 symposia across 13 tracks and nine day-long seminars in three tracks, a special session will present the 2010 Forum for Sustainability Science Programs.

Two special events are free and open to the public: our collection of career development workshops and Family Science Days, which features a Meet the Scientist Series and an array of specially designed science exhibits for the public.

The 2010 Annual Meeting underscores the importance of bridging the gap between science and society, calling on scientists to make their work understandable as well as beneficial, while also calling on people everywhere to rediscover the promise that research findings offer. The message will be heard well beyond San Diego, as hundreds of media outlets bring extensive news coverage to all continents.

I look forward to seeing you as we celebrate current achievements and future discoveries.

Sincerely,


Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS


P.S. You may view the entire program and register online until 28 January at http://www.aaas.org/meetings.

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News to Note

AAAS Council Announces New Fellows
The new AAAS Fellows will be honored for their contributions to science and technology at the Fellows Forum to be held 20 February during the AAAS Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. Access the list of 531 AAAS members, who will be recognized by their affiliation in each of 24 sections.

Top Influenza Specialists Detail Challenges of H1N1
The H1N1 flu strain challenged experts from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US National Institutes of Health by infecting millions in spring and summer, normally a nonflu season, and by disproportionately affecting young people. Although the second wave last fall appears to have crested, the experts warned that the unpredictable pandemic could surge again this winter. Participants also discussed the challenges of the flu evolution and vaccinology while detailing the structure of the flu virus. The salon-style event was the final installation of the "Science and Society: Global Challenges" series co-sponsored by AAAS, Georgetown University, and the American Chemical Society. Read more.

AAAS Discussion Explores Science as a Bridge Between US and Iran
A panel of influential Iran experts explored how science diplomacy can play a role in constructive engagement strategy with Iran during a time of sharp conflict over nuclear ambitions, human rights, and an atmosphere of deep distrust. During the public discussion at AAAS, panelists noted organizations that continue to work with Iranian researchers including the US National Institutes of Health, which has a significant bloc of Iranians among its 2,800 foreign postdocs, and the National Academies, which participated in a US delegation to Iran a year ago. In addition, the US Department of State is quietly pursuing women's rights engagement. The panelists cited past science and technology agreements with the Soviet Union and China during the Cold War as offering insight into the future value of scientific engagement with Iran. Read more.

AAAS Program Brings Scientists to Human Rights Work
Since "On-call" Scientists was launched in October 2008, the initiative has attracted more than 350 scientists and engineers who offer their expertise to human rights organizations on a pro bono basis. As the world observed International Human Rights Day in December, the initiative noted early successes and active collaborations, including a geologist investigating the effects of oil exploration in the Congo and gold mining in Guinea; a statistician researching discrimination against HIV/AIDS carriers; and an economist studying infrastructure rebuilding in US regions affected by Hurricane Katrina. Scientists of all disciplines are encouraged to join a web database listing profiles of volunteers for matches to human rights organizations. Learn more about the initiative.

Science's 2009 Breakthrough of the Year: Uncovering "Ardi"
Predating "Lucy" by more than 1 million years, the Ardipithecus ramidus fossils, including the partial skeleton named "Ardi," top Science's list of the year's most significant breakthroughs. Fifteen years of painstaking research by 47 scientists from nine nations, who carefully analyzed 150,000 specimens of fossilized animals and plants, changes the way we think about human evolution, according to Science's editors. The peer-reviewed description of Ardipithecus was published in the 2 October 2009 special issue of Science. Read more about "Ardi" and nine other significant scientific advances of 2009, and view related multimedia resources.

Briefing Examines Health Impacts of Climate Change
A panel of experts appearing at a AAAS briefing on Capitol Hill urged policy makers to support efforts to predict and respond to public health challenges that are driven by global climate change. Although some scientific tools are already in place to track health impacts, the United States and other countries lack an organized approach to use these tools for public planning. The panel cited reports that project increases in the prevalence of infectious diseases, air pollution, and injuries and deaths related to extreme weather and natural disasters. New disease patterns in the Western Hemisphere were noted, such as the mosquito-borne dengue hemorrhagic fever which, as temperatures warm, has spread from the tropics to the southern US border. While global climate change models can predict the spread of disease, satellite data and other scientific tools are needed to track and aid response to local outbreaks. Read more and watch a video of the briefing.

Personalized Medicine Colloquium Addresses Future Health Strategies
If personalized medicine builds on its early advances in analyzing and treating the ills of individuals at the genetic level, and if other novel strategies improve understanding of the most effective treatments, health care could be improved and medical costs reduced. This was the consensus of Francis Collins, US National Institutes of Health Director, and Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, during a two-day colloquium at AAAS. Both officials offered ways their agencies could help move basic research to FDA-approved therapeutics. Read more, access presentations, and watch the webcast from the second of three personalized medicine colloquia organized by AAAS and the Food and Drug Law Institute.

Conference for Underrepresented Minorities Calls for Global Collaboration
Experts urged young scientists to develop research communities with international counterparts during the 10th anniversary conference of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP). The four day conference, attended by some 700 students and faculty, was organized by AAAS and sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Speakers voiced concerns that underrepresented minorities might be left out of the globalization of science and stressed the value of study-abroad programs as a way to begin to build networks. About 360 graduate and undergraduate students gave research presentations and received feedback from scientists. Read more about the HBCU-UP programs to fund participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

Abelson Event Reports Bench to Bedside Breakthroughs
Translational medicine and its multidisciplinary approach by scientists studying human diseases can speed basic advances into clinical practice, with promise for improving human health, according to leading researchers. During a salon-style discussion at AAAS, bioengineers and geneticists reported on their efforts to fight spinal cord injuries, Marfan syndrome, glaucoma, emphysema, and other diseases. Read more about the AAAS Abelson Advancing Science event, which honors the legacy of Philip Hauge Abelson, long-time AAAS senior adviser and Science editor emeritus.

AAAS Leadership Seminar Addresses Science and Statecraft
Nina Fedoroff, science and technology adviser to the US Secretary of State, focused on the key role of scientists in the effort to strengthen international ties in her address to the Leadership Seminar. Fedoroff said that promoting global scientific collaborations on common problems is her "top job" and ultimately "we want to create a single mechanism that connects funding agencies in countries so that investigators in each country, particularly across disciplines, can go to it and apply for grant funds." Read more about the weeklong leadership course, which is modeled on the annual orientation program for AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellows.

AAAS Panel Calls for New Partnerships to Limit Weapons Proliferation
A panel of US counter-proliferation officials told an audience at AAAS that the real challenge in preventing the spread of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons is to understand those who seek technology for nefarious ends. Governments have tended to focus on controlling the technology -- which will remain fundamental to success -- but with the increased globalization of science, the need to improve efforts on the "people side" is urgent. The panelists recommended a "new strategic partnership" with the US Department of Energy laboratories and others in the scientific community to help the intelligence community better understand emerging trends and possible threats, calling for an expanded cadre of social scientists who can assess the motives, financing, and leadership of terror groups and rogue states. Read more.

Soaring Global Population a "Very Big Challenge"
As life spans generally increase and global population is projected to reach 9 billion by 2050, this growth trend will be at the heart of issues such as food production, water scarcity, energy security, and health care. The daunting new challenge was cited by Sir David King, the chief scientific adviser to the UK government from 2000 to 2007, during his lecture on "Twenty-First Century Challenges for the Scientific Community." King said that current use of the planet's resources is now at a faster rate than replenishment and also noted that, beyond population concerns, climate change remains the biggest challenge for the 21st century. Read more about the December talk, sponsored by the AAAS International Office, and access the archived audio.

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Science Careers

Science Careers, published by AAAS, offers the extensive resources you need to advance your career. Whether you're seeking a new job, advice on career advancement in your chosen field, or ways to stay current on industry trends, you'll find helpful tools on the site. Thousands of searchable jobs from industry, academia, and government are available as well as Job Alert e-mails, Career Advice, a Resume/CV Database, and more. Visit ScienceCareers.org today. Your future awaits.

Upcoming Events

MIT European Career Fair
Networking Strategically
Saturday, 30 January, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

AAAS 2010 Annual Meeting
San Diego, California, USA
Saturday, 20 February, 7:00-8:30 am: Speed Networking Breakfast
Saturday, 20 February, 11 am-12:30 pm: How to Publish in Science
Sunday, 21 February, 10-11 am: Careers Away From the Bench (panel)
Sunday, 21 February, 5-6:30 pm: Forum Meet and Greet

Georgia Tech Career Day
Keynote and Workshop
Thursday, 4 March, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Society of Toxicology
Networking Strategically
Tuesday, 9 March, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

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Announcements

AAAS's SB&F Is Now Updated and Online
Since its inaugural issue in 1965, Science Books & Films has been the authoritative guide to science resources -- used by librarians, parents, and children to develop scientifically accurate, engaging, and timely reading and film lists. Now, SB&F is available online with an updated range of features -- podcast author interviews, an editor's blog, and a searchable database of thousands of reviews. Subscriptions are available, as well as access through participating libraries. Read more and download a free issue.

Helium-3 Workshop: 11 February
Help solve the supply crisis for a rare helium isotope during a one-day workshop to be held by the AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Security Policy in Washington, D.C. The scientific, industrial, homeland security, and medical communities will offer input on how to decrease overall demand for helium-3 (from conservation and alternative technologies) and how to increase supply (through exploring foreign supplies/inventories and recycling). A short report will summarize the results of the workshop. Register here.

AAAS Photography Exhibit: Climate Change in Our World
Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm, through 15 March
AAAS Atrium and Gallery
1200 New York Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Environmental photojournalist Gary Braasch traveled to 21 countries to document rapid climate change for his book Earth Under Fire: How Global Warming is Changing our World. Read more about the free public exhibit of large-scale photographs from the book.



AAAS Minority Science Writers Internships: Apply by 1 March
The journal Science invites minority undergraduate students with a serious interest in science writing to apply for 10-week paid summer internships in Washington, D.C. The interns experience firsthand the process of covering the S&T issues that shape our global economy, under the guidance of award-winning reporters and editors. Find out more and access the application for the 2010 class.

Join the AAAS President's Circle
Improving the quality of life around the world and responding to global challenges requires innovative solutions that are rooted in solid science and technology. AAAS needs your help to ensure that the science community is engaged in exploring these solutions. You can seize this opportunity by joining the President's Circle today with a philanthropic contribution of $500 or more. You will receive updates about our activities and invitations to AAAS events. Visit us online or call +1 (202) 326-6636 for more information.

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