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Advances - The Monthly Newsletter for AAAS Members - July 2010

In this issue:

Message to Members: Advancing Online Communications among AAAS Members

News to Note: AAAS Names New Treasurer, China-US Ethics Committee, Sustainable Cities, New Lecture Series, Satellite Images of Kyrgyzstan Destruction, Iraqi Virtual Science Library, Farming and Climate Change, Boosting S&T Diversity, Commentary on Global Science Community, Nuclear Power in Energy Mix, Science and Religion Discussion, Protest of Earthquake Charges Against Scientists, Website for Kids Wins Science Prize, More News from the AAAS Forum on S&T Policy

Science Careers: Career Feature: BS/MS Level Scientists, Upcoming Events

Announcements: 2011 Annual Meeting, Science and Human Rights Coalition Meeting, "Dance Your Ph.D." Contest, SACNAS Leadership Institute Meeting, World Conference on Research Integrity, AAAS Division Meetings, Atlas of Science Literacy Workshops, Deadlines for AAAS Awards


Sponsored By:

The GE & Science Prize for Young Life Scientists
Because brilliant ideas build better results.

Did you receive your Ph.D. in molecular biology in 2009? If so, apply for the GE & Science Prize for Young Life Scientists and you could win the US$25,000 prize and be published in Science magazine. You also will win a trip to Sweden to accept your award at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm and participate in a seminar with Nobel Laureates. All it takes is a 1,000-word essay. Application deadline: 1 August. Details: www.gescienceprize.org

Message to Members

Advancing Online Communications among AAAS Members

Dear Colleagues,

Did you know there are over 115,000 AAAS members that live across the US and around the globe? You form a unique network of scientists, educators, policy makers, and people who are just plain enthusiastic about science. This year, we're putting an increased emphasis on creating opportunities for our members to communicate and collaborate with one another. That is why we are working to connect you more closely to each other and to AAAS through online communities.

This fall, we plan to launch a MemberCentral, a website exclusively for AAAS Members. The site is designed to help members engage with AAAS, and one another, around the issues at the heart of the AAAS mission. Meanwhile, we are adding to our presence on existing social media networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

On Twitter, you can now follow updates from our Science editorial and news staffs, participate in our ScienceCareers outreach events, and stay informed on science policy, science education, the US R&D budget, and many other AAAS initiatives. Twitter has also become a useful tool during our Annual Meeting, allowing attendees to chat about the conference and provide session summaries in real time. You can follow the conversation about the 2011 Annual Meeting with the hashtag #AAASmtg.

On Facebook and LinkedIn, you can network with other AAAS members, and participate in some of the AAAS Sections. If you have a resume on LinkedIn, you can include your AAAS affiliation by joining our member-only group there.

On YouTube, the AAAS news staff posts interviews and dispatches from events that they attend, and Science posts videos related to content in the journal. We encourage you to view these videos and post your comments

AAAS continues to develop programs to further enhance the value of your membership. You are welcome to join your colleagues in the communities listed below.


Sincerely,


Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS


P.S. Meet other AAAS members in person at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., next February. Registration opens August 9. Sign up for updates at www.aaas.org/meetings.


AAAS/Science Online Connections

AAAS
Join your fellow members online at these official AAAS pages.

The Journal Science  
Follow breaking news and the latest research through one of these social media channels.


News to Note

David Evans Shaw Named Treasurer of AAAS
David Evans Shaw, Managing Partner of Black Point Group, a technology-focused investment fund, will serve as the thirteenth treasurer of AAAS since the organization's inception in 1848. He is the founding CEO of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., and Ikaria Holdings, and serves on the boards of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Sapphire Energy, and other companies. He was a partner at Venrock Associates, which has helped fund more than 500 scientific ventures. Shaw served as chairman of the board of The Jackson Laboratory, a leading genetics research institute. He has been on the faculty of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, the board of the Center for Public Leadership, and an advisory board to Discovery Communications. David Evans Shaw will succeed David Elliot Shaw, chief scientist for D.E. Shaw Research, LLC, who served as the association's treasurer since 2000, following the late William T. Golden. Read more.

China, US Scientists Establish Ethics Committee
Beginning in September 2007, when AAAS organized a delegation to Beijing, China to participate in a workshop on scientists' ethical and social responsibilities, scientific communities in the two countries have worked to establish joint projects. In a recent statement, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and AAAS announced the formation of a Steering Committee to encourage collaboration among policy makers, scientists, educators, and students that can be used "to advance and apply knowledge on ethical issues associated with the conduct and application of scientific research." Read more.

The Quest for Sustainable Cities Worldwide
A recent forum sponsored by Hitachi, Ltd., and organized by AAAS and The Brookings Institution focused on building sustainable urban cities and towns, where half the world's population now lives. The panel of experts recommended strategies including reducing the "water footprint" of power production with a more integrated approach to power and water use, the use of "smart" power grid technology, and a more sustainable transit future built on new infrastructure such as charging stations for electric cars and light rail systems. While noting that the current economic slowdown makes funding a challenge, the panel also said that there is an opportunity to rethink how to restore cities while using "green" infrastructure. Read more.

Top Agricultural Scientist Inaugurates New AAAS Lecture Series
Roger Beachy, director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), said that the United States faces a watershed moment in which it must move beyond the "arrogance of plenty" of past years. The huge strides in crop and animal production from conventional breeding practices will not be enough to double food production by 2050 to meet the demands of rising global population, the director cautioned. He called for unified, team-oriented research that combines the expertise of engineers, biochemists, geneticists, crop and animal scientists, food processing specialists, and others. The new AAAS Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Lecture honors the prolific 19th century writer, artist, and chief of the Federal Entomological Service. Read more.

AAAS Image Analysis Confirms Kyrgyzstan Destruction
The AAAS Geospatial Technologies and Human Rights Project's assessment of before-and-after satellite images corroborates on-the-ground and news reports of widespread burning, violence, and human migration in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. The images show that "while most of the city appears largely intact...entire neighborhoods appear to have been destroyed." The turmoil seemed to begin 10 June as a result of confrontations between rival gangs of mostly Kyrgyz and Uzbek youths, according to Amnesty International USA, who requested the independent assessment. Read more and view the images.

AAAS S&T Fellows Advance US-Iraq Scientific Cooperation
The Iraqi Virtual Science Library has been officially transferred from US-based agencies to the Iraq government, five years after it was conceived by a group of AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows. The library, which offers 4,000 journals and other publications in chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics, was developed as a tool to help Iraqi researchers and scholars rebuild their war-torn science enterprise -- from infrastructure to health care; agriculture to the economy. The library serves 7,000 registered Iraqis, all public universities, and nine public ministries. Read more about this initiative to advance science diplomacy.

Capitol Hill Briefing Addresses Farming and Climate Change
Experts in agronomy, food policy research, and climate science said feeding the world as climate continues to change will require more diversity in crops to adapt to warmer temperatures, cold snaps, heavy rainfall, drought, and other extremes. Speakers at the briefing, cosponsored by AAAS, warned that inadequate crop biodiversity could hamstring American farmers and suggested switching cool season crops with more heat-tolerant crops during warmer periods, as well as breeding new varieties capable of withstanding extremes. In the developing world, the experts said increased investment is needed to offset the negative impacts of a decline in crop yields. Read more.

New AAAS Report: How Local Networks Can Boost S&T Diversity
Modeled after the extension services approach pioneered by the US Department of Agriculture, which links farmers to agricultural researchers, the new AAAS report details how local networks of experts can help bring more women and minorities in to S&T careers. Just as research findings are integrated into farmers' best practices in use of food and water, experts are trained to deliver best data-driven practices for advancing diversity in science and engineering. The interim report gives the National Science Foundation, which funded the program, an overview of the structure and achievements of the nine ongoing projects. Read more.

AAAS Commentary Cites Trend toward a Global Science Community
In a commentary published in La Stampa prior to the Euroscience Open Forum 2010 in Turin, Italy, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner wrote that, although nations are at times territorial about their own research, the trend toward a global scientific community is unmistakable. Leshner noted that, already, half of European research papers and 30 percent of American research papers have international co-authors, while calling for increased collaboration at a time of shared budget constraints and common global challenges and opportunities, such as health, agriculture, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. Read more and access the full commentary.

Capitol Hill Briefing Calls for More Nuclear Power in US Energy Mix
Energy expert Clifford Singer discussed how modest investments could soon make nuclear power more affordable and reliable during a Capitol Hill briefing organized by AAAS. Noting that the current energy mix relies heavily on fossil fuels and underutilizes nuclear power, Singer said the capital costs of replacing roughly 100 nuclear power plants whose operating licenses will expire in the coming decades could be reduced by the economies of scale. He also said that one promising application of nuclear power is transportation, with increased use of electric cars that could be charged with nuclear energy at night and solar, natural gas, or wind-driven sources during the day. Read more.

Science and Religion Discussion Urges Mutual Respect
A panel that included an astrophysicist, paleoanthropologist, Nobel laureate physicist, and religious leaders said that the false model of inherent "conflict" between science and religious faith must be ended. The mid-June discussion organized by AAAS's Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) focused on positive ideas for interaction and cooperation between the two communities to help solve societal problems such as climate change and poverty. One religious leader commented that "Science is there to inform whereas religion is there to inspire." One scientist added "Religion and science are fundamental aspects of a search for meaning." Read more.

AAAS Protests L'Aquila, Italy Earthquake Charges Against Scientists
In a 29 June letter of protest to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner said that recent indictments against six scientists and a government official who failed to predict the earthquake and alert the population were "unfair and naïve." Saying that while scientists, engineers, and architects have a key role in mitigating earthquakes by consulting on issues such as building codes, "there is no accepted scientific method for earthquake prediction that can be reliably used to warn citizens of an impending disaster." Read more and access the full letter.

"Neuroscience for Kids" Website Wins Science Prize
Neuroscience researcher Eric Chudler of the University of Washington has developed a site to engage kids of all ages and levels of science education in learning how the brain works. The site has been awarded the Science Prize for Online Resources in Education, recognizing its effectiveness: 150 million different files are downloaded each year, including articles, lesson plans, and experiments developed and vetted by scientists and teachers. An article about Chudler's work was published in the 25 June issue of Science. Read more.

Additional News from the AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy
The forum, which is the nation's premier S&T policy conference, was held 13-14 May in Washington, D.C. These reports follow those which appeared in June Advances. To see presentations and listen to podcasts, go to http://www.aaas.org/news/press_room/forum. 

FDA Commissioner: "Regulatory Science for 21st Century Medicine"
In an address to the forum, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, called on universities, industry, and government to develop state-of-the-art regulatory science to speed evaluation of new drugs and medical procedures and bring them more quickly to patients. The commissioner said regulatory science is needed to "take full advantage of the breakneck speed of biomedical research," in areas such as emerging stem cell and cancer treatments and the effort to more tightly control tuberculosis. Read more about the efforts of the FDA to build in-house science capacity.

CBO Director: Deficits Loom over Federal S&T Initiatives
Douglas Elmendorf, director of the Congressional Budget Office, warned that projected budget deficits, along with growing obligations for such programs as Social Security and Medicare, could leave science and other discretionary programs fighting for a shrinking pool of funds -- despite the Obama administration's strong commitment to driving economic growth with S&T. Other experts speaking at the panel cited the three-year freeze in non-discretionary spending, noting that in the proposed fiscal year 2011 budget, the White House increases funds for priority programs such as clean energy R&D and basic research and cuts funds elsewhere, including Department of  Defense applied R&D programs. Read more

Forum Discussion: Strengthening the Climate for US Innovation
Policy makers, analysts, and educators warned that, after leading the world in creating innovative products, processes, and business models for more than half a century, the United States is now ranked No. 8 in innovation, according to an analysis of 110 countries around the world. To make the country more attractive to R&D facilities looking at potential host countries, the speakers noted several potential government policies, including driving S&T education and work force training, increased spending on innovation, and removing bureaucratic obstacles. Read more about current efforts to strengthen innovation. 

Forum Panel: Critical Climate Change Issues Beyond Cap and Trade
Panelists cautioned that, even with immediate reduction in carbon emissions, current levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions commit the globe to rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and weather extremes. The panel called for more attention to other dimensions of climate change, urging world adaptation strategies such as moving development inland and improving weather surveillance and emergency response.  Discussions also included the potential benefit of geoengineering to deliberately manipulate the environment and the impact of climate change on national security. Read more.

 

Science Careers


Science Careers, published by AAAS, offers many resources to help you 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 -- all for free. Thousands of searchable jobs from academia, industry, and government are available as well as job alert e-mails, career advice, a resume/cv Database, webinars, and more. Visit ScienceCareers.org today.

Check out the latest resources from Science Careers:

Read the Latest Career Feature from Science Careers: BS/MS Level Scientists
Sponsored by the National University of Singapore More and more scientists are looking for alternatives to Ph.D. programs. Professional Science Master's (PSM) degrees offer training in science and business that provides a pathway for science and math majors directly into jobs. The NSF and other foundations are directing more funds to universities for the development of these degree programs. Find out more about whether a PSM is the right choice for you. Read more.
A Science Business Office Feature

Attend Upcoming Events:
Careers Away From the Bench
and Networking Strategically
Monday, 19 July, Texas Tech, Lubbock, Texas

Careers Away From the Bench Panel Discussion
and Interviewing Skills
Thursday, 22 July, REDI Postdoc Career Fair, Rockville, Maryland

Networking Strategically
and Creative Job Searching
Vanderbilt Career Day, Wednesday, 28 July, Nashville, Tennessee

ScienceCareers Featured Jobs:



Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Scientist III
Life Technologies, Foster City, CA

Faculty Position in Microbiology
Genoscope, Evry, France

Member Benefit

B&N

Announcements

Save the Date: 2011 AAAS Annual Meeting, 17-21 February, Washington, D.C.
Theme: "Science Without Borders"
The meeting is a platform for the most current thinking and research findings in science, technology, and policy. The program crosses conventional disciplinary borders. It features strong presentations from leading experts and a rare opportunity to meet and speak with eminent scientists who share your interests and passion for science. For details, go to www.aaas.org/meetings and sign up for updates throughout the year.

Call for Nominations to Deliver the John P. McGovern Award Lecture: Deadline 6 August
AAAS invites nominations of prominent behavioral scientists to deliver the John P.  McGovern Award Lecture in the Behavioral Sciences at the 2011 AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. The Lecture, first delivered in 1990, honors outstanding behavioral scientists from around the world.  We seek a very well-respected, accomplished scientist who is an engaging and dynamic public speaker. For more information and to send your nominations, e-mail Anne Moraske at amoraske@aaas.org or call (202) 326-6636.

Call for Submissions General Poster Session and Student Poster Competition: Deadline Early October 
These sessions offer an opportunity for students, doctoral candidates, postdocs, and professionals to present research to the broad community of scientists attending the 2011 AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. The poster sessions will be held 19-20 February. For more information, go to www.aaas.org/meetings.  

The Project on Climate Science Thanks Climate Scientists
In a letter to the international scientific community, the nonpartisan project expressed appreciation for "tireless efforts and dedication in providing the world with a comprehensive, science-based understanding of the causes and potential impacts of climate change." The letter also called for "an open and civil dialogue to provide policy makers and other leaders with tools to make sound and responsible decisions." The Project on Climate Science collects and disseminates high-quality scientific research and information to the public, the media, and lawmakers. Read the letter.

AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition Meeting: 26-27 July
The meeting is open to all scientists and representatives of scientific organizations. It will be held at AAAS Headquarters and there is no fee for participation. Register here.

Third Annual "Dance Your Ph.D." Contest: Deadline 1 September
Turn your Ph.D. into a dance, and enter the contest for cash awards in each of four categories: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Social Sciences. Rules and how to enter can be found at http://gonzolabs.org/dance/.

SACNAS 2nd Summer Leadership Institute Meeting: 19-23 July, Washington, D.C.
Learn more about the meeting at AAAS.

2nd World Conference on Research Integrity: 21-24 July, Singapore
Access information and register online.

AAAS Arctic Division Science Conference: 13-15 September, Anchorage, Alaska
Access information and register online.

Caribbean Division Annual Meeting: 25 September, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Piedras Campus of the University of Puerto Rico
Access information and register online.

Sign Up for 2010 Atlas of Science Literacy Workshops
Designed for science teachers, curriculum specialists, and other educators and researchers, these workshops demonstrate how participants can use the conceptual strand maps in Atlas 1 and Atlas 2, along with other Project 2061 resources, to take a benchmarks-based learning approach to science, mathematics, and technology. Read more and register to attend one of the workshops listed below.
Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA, 16-18 August
Calgary, Ontario, Canada, 8-11 September
Columbia, Missouri, USA, 6-8 October
Washington, D.C., USA, 13-15 October
Hampton, Connecticut, USA, 1-3 December
Nomination and Application Deadlines for 2010 AAAS Awards
AAAS Mentor Awards: 31 July
The AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award and the AAAS Mentor Award honor individuals who, during their careers, demonstrate extraordinary leadership to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the science and engineering Ph.D. work force. These groups include: women of all racial or ethnic groups; African American, Native American, and Hispanic men; and people with disabilities. For more information, contact Yolanda George at (202) 326-6677, e-mail ygeorge@aaas.org or Brittany Taggart at (202) 326-6671, email btaggart@aaas.org.

AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards: 1 August
The AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards, endowed by The Kavli Foundation, represent the ultimate achievement in the field of science reporting. Prizes are awarded in eight categories: large and small newspapers, magazines, television spot news/feature reporting, television in-depth reporting, radio, online media outlets, and children's science news. More information

AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science & Technology: 15 August
The AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology recognizes working scientists and engineers who make outstanding contributions to the "popularization of science." For more information contact Stacey Pasco at (202) 326-6645, e-mail spasco@aaas.org.

AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Award: 1 September
The AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Award honors a public servant for sustained exceptional contributions to advancing science or a scientist or engineer for a distinguished career of both scientific achievement and other notable services to the scientific community. More information. 

AAAS Award for International Scientific Cooperation: 1 September
The AAAS Award for International Scientific Cooperation honors an individual or group for making extraordinary contributions to further international cooperation in science and engineering. For more information contact Linda Stroud at (202) 326-6659, e-mail lstroud@aaas.org.

AAAS Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility: 1September
The AAAS Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility honors scientists, engineers, and their organizations whose exemplary actions, sometimes taken at significant personal cost, have served to foster scientific freedom and responsibility. For more information contact Deborah Runkle at (202) 326-6794, e-mail drunkle@aaas.org.

AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books: 1 September
The AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books, sponsored by Subaru, celebrates outstanding science writing and illustration for children and young adults. For more information contact Heather Malcomson at (202) 326-6646, e-mail hmalcoms@aaas.org. 
Sponsored By:

The GE & Science Prize for Young Life Scientists
Because brilliant ideas build better results.

Did you receive your Ph.D. in molecular biology in 2009? If so, apply for the GE & Science Prize for Young Life Scientists and you could win the US$25,000 prize and be published in Science magazine. You also will win a trip to Sweden to accept your award at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm and participate in a seminar with Nobel Laureates. All it takes is a 1,000-word essay. Application deadline: 1 August. Details: www.gescienceprize.org

More About AAAS


AAAS News & Notes appears in Science in the last issue of each month.
You can also read more about AAAS at www.aaas.org.
Science magazine is available at www.sciencemag.org.
Change your mailing address or other info at www.aaasmember.org


Join the AAAS President's Circle
AAAS's undertaking to advance science in the service of society is an enormous one, especially now as we are increasingly called upon by the administration and Congress, the science community, and the public to speak up for science on a host of global issues. You can help to ensure that the voice of science -- your voice -- is heard by becoming a part of 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. You will also be invited to participate in a Live 2010 Webinar to be hosted later this year. Visit us online at www.tinyurl.com/dye8kn or call +1 (202) 326-6636 for more information.

How to Subscribe to Advances
If a friend has sent you this e-mail, and you would like to start receiving your own copy each month, you must first become a AAAS member.

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Use the "preferences" link at the bottom of this email.

 

Meet Up at Upcoming Events

Science/AAAS will have a booth at the following events. Stop by to take advantage of the event's special AAAS membership renewal rate and pick up your member pin.

Postdoc Conference and Career Fair, 22 July, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

American Psychological Association (APA), 12-15 August, San Diego, California, USA

American Sociological Association (ASA), 14-17 August, Atlanta, Georgia, USA


Additional Meetings and Announcements


Animals, Research, and Alternatives, 26-27 August, Washington, D.C, USA

Advances in Metabolic Profiling, Mass Spec Europe & European Biomarkers Summit, 9-10 November, Florence, Italy


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