In this issue:

Message to Members: Renowned Speakers to Explore"Science Without Borders" at Annual Meeting

News to Note: Preparedness for Cyber Attack, Destruction of Armenian Artifacts, Toxic Substances Control Act, Climate Adaptation Report, Science as a Human Right, Scientists' Attitudes a bout Religion, Finalists in Best Science Books for Children

MemberCentral: The new website for and about AAAS members

Science Careers: Featured Jobs

Announcements: New AAAS Fellows Elected, 2010 Breakthrough of the Year, 2011 Annual Meeting, Minority Science Writers Internships, President's Circle

---

---

Message to Members

Renowned Speakers to Explore"Science Without Borders" at Annual Meeting

Dear Colleagues,

During the 2011 AAAS Annual Meeting, 17 to 21 February in Washington, D.C., scientists and engineers will interact with educators, policy makers, students, and members of the national and international media."Science Without Borders" cuts across conventional borders in research and teaching to present innovative multidisciplinary approaches to meeting global challenges.

The meeting will open with the AAAS President's Address by Alice S. Huang, a distinguished virologist at the California Institute of Technology. Plenary speakers include John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and a former AAAS President; Frances H. Arnold, professor of chemical engineering and biochemistry at Cal Tech; and Graham Walker, a biologist and education expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A Plenary Panel on Biosecurity, moderated by anthropologist Jeanne Guillemin, will include global infectious disease experts Rita R. Colwell and Anthony S. Fauci; genome sciences expert Claire M. Fraser-Liggett; and U.S. Congressman Rush Holt, a physicist and specialist in arms control.

Topical Lectures feature addresses by G. Wayne Clough, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution; Regina E. Dugan, Director, Defense Research Projects Agency; Subra Suresh, Director, National Science Foundation; and Patrick Cunningham, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government of Ireland. Other renowned scientists scheduled to speak are geneticist Gerald Karsenty; theoretical physicist Lisa Randall; marine scientist Samantha B. Joye; linguist Colin Phillips; science historian Lawrence M. Principe; behavioral scientist Linda M. Bartoshuk; earth scientist Robert M. Hazen; planetary scientist Sean C. Solomon; and pioneering chemical researcher George M. Whitesides.

Seven seminars examine cutting-edge research in neuroscience, chemistry, and astronomy. Twelve symposia tracks cover 152 topics such as the brain and behavior, sustainability, climate change, security,  and more. Emerging issues in research integrity will be explored during a workshop. Students will have the opportunity to present their research in poster sessions and educators will exchange ideas in special sessions.

The meeting will engage the public with the free, open plenary lectures and Family Science Days, including a "Meet the Scientists" event. A series of workshops will help advance the careers of young scientists.

You are invited to join thousands of your colleagues from around the world in the shared mission to advance science and serve society, across disciplinary, as well as international, borders. We hope to see you in Washington, D.C.  


Sincerely,

Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS

---

News to Note

New AAAS Fellows Elected
The AAAS Council has elected 503 members as Fellows of AAAS. They will be recognized for their contributions to science and technology at the 2011 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

AAAS Panel Addresses Preparedness for Cyber Attack
Cybersecurity experts, including former top official Richard C. Clark, warned that although the U.S. government might be able to defend military and civilian networks, there is no comprehensive plan to protect vital infrastructure such as railroads, pipelines, aviation, banking systems, and the electric power grid. The panel stressed the urgent need for private companies to implement cybersecurity that keeps up with a rapidly changing technical environment. They also suggested a possible government role in spurring research and development to fundamentally change the nature of software and networks. Read more and listen to an audio file of the discussion.

Satellite Images Reveal Destruction of Armenian Artifacts
A comparison of images from 2003 and 2009 by AAAS analysts show that hundreds of 15th and 16th century burial monuments, or khachkars, may have been destroyed or removed from a medieval Armenian cemetery in Djulfa, Azerbaijan. The AAAS Geospatial Technologies and Human Rights Project found evidence of significant changes in the grade of the cemetery, which indicated removal by earthmoving equipment and confirmed reports from observers on the ground. Satellite images are increasingly being used to examine humanitarian and human rights abuses in regions that are difficult to access. Read more and view the report and the images.

AAAS Seminar Addresses Retooling the Toxic Substances Control Act
Two policy analysts discussed their archival research showing that the primary federal statute regulating industrial chemicals in commerce has not accomplished as much as the law makers intended. The presentations cited inadequate implementation due to a lack of clear deadlines, timeframes, and criteria for a"chemical of concern" under the law. The archival review suggests ways to retool the law, enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1976 and now stalled in the reauthorization process. Read more and watch highlights or the full seminar, the latest in a series co-sponsored by the AAAS Archives and the Chemical Heritage Foundation's Center for Contemporary History and Policy. 

Key Role for AAAS S&T Policy Fellows in Climate Adaptation Report
Six AAAS Science &Technology Policy Fellows joined more than 300 federal administrators and staff from executive branch agencies and offices on a task force commissioned by the White House to recommend how the government can help the United States and other countries prepare for climate change. The Fellows helped develop recommended actions to assure that scientific information is readily available to federal, state, and local policy makers, and also to private sector decision makers and the general public. The report will serve as a guide for adaptation strategies including preventive actions and investments to reduce risks due to current and future climate changes. Read more about the Fellows and access the full task force report.

AAAS Workshop: Promoting Science as a Human Right
On Human Rights Day in December, which commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948, a workshop at AAAS focused on the right to the benefits of scientific advancement. AAAS staff, along with policymakers and scientists from diverse agencies and organizations in Washington, D.C., discussed the support of human rights in their work. Participants examined the Declaration to find rights related to scientific freedom, including education, work, and freedom of thought. Read more and access information about the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition and the volunteer"On-Call Scientists" program.

DoSER Session Examines Scientists' Attitudes about Religion
The importance of developing a more nuanced view of the interplay between science and religion, to reflect attitudes that are more complex than popular conceptions, was stressed at a recent AAAS meeting. Sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund of Rice University said her survey of scientists at leading research universities showed that nearly half identified with a religious label and a fifth of those who are atheists expressed feelings of spirituality. NPR religion correspondent Barbara Bradley Hagerty discussed her experiences covering science and religion, urging more open communication to overcome stereotypes in both communities. The session was co-sponsored by the AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion and the AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology. Read more and watch a video of DoSER director Jennifer Wiseman discussing the future direction of the dialogue.

Finalists Announced: Best Science Books for Children
Sixteen finalists in the 2010 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books have been chosen by a panel of librarians, scientists, and science literacy experts. Selected from nearly 175 entries in four categories, the finalists were judged to be exceptional in engaging readers and encouraging better understanding of science topics. Winners in children's science picture books, middle grades science books, young adult science books, and hands-on science or activity books will be announced this month and honored at the AAAS Annual Meeting in February. Read more and access summaries of the finalists.

---

Now on AAAS MemberCentral

Connect with AAAS members at membercentral.aaas.org, the website for and about AAAS members with exclusive stories, photos, videos, webinars, and podcasts. A sampling follows. (Need help with your username or password? Click here)

---

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.

---

Member Benefits

Subaru
Save between $1,300 - $3,300* off the manufacturer's suggested retail price (depending on model and accessories) on the purchase or lease of a new Subaru from participating dealers. To qualify, you must be a AAAS member in good standing for at least six consecutive months prior to participation in this program. Please contact AAAS Member Services at 202-326-6417 or e-mail membership@aaas.org BEFORE visiting your local Subaru dealer.

---

Announcements

Science's 2010 Breakthrough of the Year: Quantum Machine
The first mechanical, vibrating device to reach the quantum "ground state," the lowest energy state permitted by the laws of quantum mechanics, has been cited by AAAS and Science as the most significant scientific advance of 2010. The tiny metal paddle of semiconductor, designed by physicists at the University of California at Santa Barbara, was recognized as a groundbreaking concept with many potential applications. A special news feature in the 17 December issue of Science also covered the other top ten 2010 achievements and ten"Insights of the Decade" that have transformed the landscape of 21st century science. Read more and listen to a podcast of reports and interviews.

EurekAlert! Science Reporting for Kids Portal, Revised and Updated
The EurekAlert! Science Reporting for Kids Portal is a central, online source for kid-friendly news and resources. The Portal is housed within EurekAlert!, the editorially independent, online news service operated by AAAS, the science society. The portal is available to reporters and editors who produce content for children and teens, as well as to the general public.  You can watch some great interviews with scientists at the following link: http://www.eurekalert.org/kidsnews/interviews.php



Registration Open: 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. Advance registration is available until Thursday, 27 January. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis until 16 January for the Grand Hyatt and 23 January for the Renaissance, Embassy Suites, and Hampton Inn. More information

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 first-hand 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 2011 class.

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. Visit us online at www.tinyurl.com/dye8kn or call +1-202-326-6636 for more information.

---

---

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

Invest in AAAS
Contributions from our members and friends are needed to support AAAS's mission to promote science in all forms. Visit us online to make a gift, or call +1-202-326-6636.
With your support, we can continue to speak up for you -- and advance science for the benefit of society worldwide.

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.

How to Get Off This Mailing List
Use the "preferences" link at the bottom of this email.