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| Advances - The Monthly Newsletter for AAAS Members - September 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In this issue: Message to Members: News to Note: Days of Molecular Medicine 2011 Program now Available! 
Join AAAS and Science Translational Medicine in Hong Kong from November 10-12, 2011 for Days of Molecular Medicine 2011.
Take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to learn from, and network with, some of the world's most influential researchers in regenerative medicine. The Days of Molecular Medicine 2011 conference will cover a broad range of topics including new strategies for engineering liver, skin and corneal tissues; neural stem cells and nervous system regeneration; stem cell therapies for treating heart disease; and designing better biomaterials for engineering bone, cartilage and muscle. To view the program visit dmm.aaas.org/program Science: New Frontiers and New Audiences Dear Colleagues, Advancing science in a broad array of disciplines to serve a broad spectrum of society is the time-honored mission of AAAS. One way to do that is through communicating cutting-edge advances and their implications both to the public and to policy makers. Recently, we launched a series of Capitol Hill briefings on neuroscience, the first of which focused on important new applications in the military -- from brain-machine interfaces to help veterans cope with injuries to drugs designed to enhance brain function. During the annual Summer Leadership Institute of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, held at AAAS, a leading drug addiction researcher examined the complex mix of genetics, environment, and neurochemistry that can lead to addiction, urging a change in the model of criminalization to one of treatment as a disease (see News, below). The Cutting Edge, a series of videos produced by AAAS MemberCentral and available on its website, features members' insight into emerging frontiers and advances in a range of scientific disciplines from organic chemistry to paleoanthropology. A second series will be released this Fall. The 2012 AAAS Annual Meeting, now in the planning stages, will feature leading experts presenting breakthroughs in their specific fields, as well as multidisciplinary research, around the theme "Flattening the World: Building the Global Knowledge Society." The AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science honors innovative outreach by young researchers who open up two-way dialogues—efforts that may otherwise go unrecognized by universities or research institutions that emphasize publication and grant awards (see Announcements). Our new book on Climate Change in The Science Inside series continues our effort to advance science-based understanding of critical public issues. The AAAS Gallery presents intriguing exhibitions of the art of science, which are open to the public. The current show about changing seas and coral reefs features a large-scale wall installation crafted in ceramic. As we strive to keep the scientific community abreast of advances in all disciplines through our journals, we also work to promote the excitement and benefits of discovery among non-science audiences. We thank each member for your support. Sincerely,  Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS Capitol Hill Briefing: Neuroscience and the Military The first in a series of AAAS neuroscience briefings for congressional staffers and others focused on military applications. A neuroengineer and physician, a historian and ethicist, and a specialist in neuroscience and society discussed new technologies such as brain-machine interfaces that help veterans cope with injuries, research into medications designed to enhance brain function and possibly to treat or even prevent post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and research into advanced robotic limbs. Participants stressed that, in the wake of progress to enhance brain function, ethical and social issues have arisen and must be addressed. A second briefing will cover possible links between cell phones and brain tumors and a third will focus on traumatic brain injury. Read more. New Perspectives on Addiction and Treatment The director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse said that poverty, parental neglect, abuse, and genetics can increase vulnerability to drugs -- factors that provide implications for the treatment of addicted individuals, particularly juveniles who are imprisoned. Dr. Nora Volkow, speaking at the 2011 Summer Leadership Institute of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans (SACNAS), stressed that it is critical to begin treating addiction not as a crime but as a disease, within the health care system. The director discussed neurobiological studies and effective treatment and prevention options. Read more about the annual SACNAS institute, which fosters leadership skills in doctoral-level scientists from underrepresented groups.  Influential chemist Luis Echegoyen also addressed the SACNAS meeting, saying that scientists can advance their leadership skills and structure their careers so that "strategic serendipity," or good but unplanned opportunities, is more likely to emerge. Echegoyen emphasized the need for hard work and an appetite for new ideas; the confidence to operate in an ever-changing environment; and the diverse networks that generate a rich environment. His examples of the prominent role that serendipity has played in science history included Newton's insights on gravity while watching an apple fall and the discovery of penicillin. Read more.
 "Double Bind" Remains 35 Years After Landmark AAAS ReportIn the years since the 1976 AAAS report, minority women have made progress in science and engineering fields but now face a new generation of challenges, according to a symposium in the Summer 2011 issue of the Harvard Educational Review. Although overt prejudices have ended or eroded, more subtle obstacles endure including questions about skill levels and lack of institutional support. Four articles explore daughters who face different challenges from their mothers; a survey of research on undergraduate and graduate-level minority women; pre-college and undergraduate experiences that contribute to success; and the often difficult transition from community colleges to universities. Read more and access the original AAAS report.  Noyce Scholars Share Stories About Teaching Math in High-Needs SchoolsDuring the recent annual meeting of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, co-hosted by AAAS and the National Science Foundation, a panel of first-year math teachers and former Noyce scholars recounted the challenges and their strategies to improve the interest and motivation of students. The Noyce program seeks to improve K-12 education by focusing on teacher quality, providing funding to universities and colleges for stipends, scholarships, and programs for science and math students who commit to teaching in high-needs schools across the United States. Read more.  AAAS Arctic Division Explores Local Issues with Global SignificanceFrom 21–24 September, researchers meeting in Dillingham, Alaska, will focus on energy supplies, foofd security, fisheries, climate change, and the environment -- and how these local issues reflect global challenges. The centerpiece of the discussions is the proposed Pebble Mine, a controversial initiative to extract copper, gold, molybdenum, and other resources from state-owned wilderness near Bristol Bay, and the impact on sustainability. Opponents argue that the mine would threaten a fishery that supplies nearly half of the world's annual sockeye salmon harvest, disrupt animal habitats, adversely affect the hunting and fishing lifestyle of indigenous people, and could release mercury and other toxins into the environment. Read more and access registration information.  AAAS Op-Ed: "Making Science Fun Stimulates Learning"In a 25 August op-ed in The Vancouver Sun, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner and Tracy Ross, executive director of the Canadian Association of Science Centres, stressed the importance of informal science learning in advancing broad science literacy. Although improvements in classroom-based science education remain a top priority, hands-on activities at science centers, museums, libraries, and special events further stimulate interest in scientific disciplines while creating a fun experience. Two examples noted were British Columbia's recently concluded Year of Science and AAAS Family Science Days, which will be held during next February's Annual Meeting in Vancouver. Read more and access the full commentary. ENTRY POINT! Summer Interns Blaze New Trails They are highly motivated, highly intelligent undergraduate and graduate students working at some of the top U.S. research and engineering facilities -- and they are members of one of the most underrepresented groups in science: people with disabilities. This summer, 33 interns with conditions as diverse as rheumatoid arthritis, ADHD, autism, and visual or hearing impairments expanded their future job opportunities through challenging ten-week assignments. ENTRY POINT! partners include public and private sector entities such as NASA, NOAA, IBM, Merck, and Lockheed Martin. Nine of the interns came to Washington, D.C. in July to visit the U.S. Capitol, meet their representatives, and attend a reception at AAAS. Read more. Science in the Summer Celebrates Its 25th Year Nearly 4700 elementary school students in Pennsylvania's greater Philadelphia area experienced science through inquiry-based, hands-on experiments during free classes held at 104 libraries. Science in the Summer, sponsored by the health care company GlaxoSmithKline, was started in 1986 and has been administered by AAAS since 1996. Most programs include four classes taught by local certified science teachers using materials provided by AAAS that reflect the latest science and align with the state's school science content standards. This summer, classes included bioscience, genetics, simple machines, chemistry, and physical science and electricity. Read more and watch a classroom video. Webinar: NASA at a Turning Point: A look back at the shuttle program; a look ahead to the future As the space shuttle program ends, NASA faces an unclear future. In this MemberCentral webinar, we'll look at both the successes and failures of the shuttle program, and at the future of space exploration. Hear thoughts from John Grunsfeld, former astronaut; Pat Duggins, a respected author and journalist; and Wayne Hale, past Shuttle Program manager. The panel is moderated by AAAS's own Senior Policy Advisor, Al Teich. Watch the webinar at AAAS MemberCentral. 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. ScienceCareers Featured Jobs:Assistant Professor of Biophysics and/or Computational Biology University of Oregon, Eugene, OR Tenure Track Group Leader in Neurobiology Friedrich Miescher Institute (FMI), Basel, Switzerland President of Science China Press Ltd. China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., Beijing, China
See MemberCentral for terms & conditions
AAAS Public Engagement Award Nominations: Deadline 15 October AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships Program: Applications Deadline 5 December S&T Icons Now Confirmed at Speakers  Science SPORE Award Honors "Universe Awareness"Children between the ages of four and ten, who live in forty different countries, are being captivated by the immensity of the universe and the majesty of the night sky as they become aware of the cosmos and their place in it. The global resource, developed by cosmologist Carolina Odman-Govender of the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands, has been cited for its innovation by the monthly Science Prize for Online Resources in Education (SPORE). The website content, which connects traditional stories from many cultures to science, is supplied by 400 volunteers throughout the world and checked for accuracy by qualified astronomers. Read more, visit the site, and access the article about the project published in the 26 August issue of Science. Presidential Awards for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring: Nominations Open until 5 October: Outstanding STEM mentors and mentoring programs, particularly those that work with individuals who are historically underrepresented in these fields (such as women, minorities, and people with disabilities), are recognized annually through Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). In addition to Presidential recognition, PAESMEM recipients receive a $10,000 honorary award and a trip to Washington D.C. to participate in recognition events, meetings with policy leaders, and professional development workshops. Recognize a mentor or mentoring program today by submitting a nomination. U.S.-based organizations, companies, and U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents from the academic, government, non-profit, and private sector are all welcome to apply. Individual and organizational nominees must have demonstrated outstanding mentoring and effective guidance to a significant number of persons who might not otherwise have considered or had access to opportunities in STEM (including persons with disabilities, women and minorities) and who are:
Project 2061's Three-Day Assessment Workshop: 12-14 October Held in Washington, D.C., the new assessment workshop, "Developing and Using Assessments Aligned to Science Learning Goals," is designed to introduce teachers, researchers, and assessment specialists to Project 2061's approach to science assessment and criteria and procedures for developing effective tools closely aligned to science ideas. Early bird discounts are available. Register now. 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. Days of Molecular Medicine 2011 Program now Available!
Join AAAS and Science Translational Medicine in Hong Kong from November 10-12, 2011 for Days of Molecular Medicine 2011.
Take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to learn from, and network with, some of the world's most influential researchers in regenerative medicine. The Days of Molecular Medicine 2011 conference will cover a broad range of topics including new strategies for engineering liver, skin and corneal tissues; neural stem cells and nervous system regeneration; stem cell therapies for treating heart disease; and designing better biomaterials for engineering bone, cartilage and muscle. To view the program visit dmm.aaas.org/program 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. |
Meet Up at Upcoming Events This symposium aims to illustrate the impact of modern molecular approaches on understanding and affecting disease processes. Sessions I and II illustrate the dissection of physiological and disease processes at the molecular level, while Sessions III and IV illustrate molecular approaches toward modulating complex biomolecules and cellular processes. It is the hope that this conference will foster an exchange of ideas between biologists and chemists and stimulate young scientists to engage in interdisciplinary approaches toward problems related to the improvement of human health.Science for Peace and Security Programme, 11 August–11 October, Brussels, Belgium Hearing Restoration Project, 25 August–25 October, New York, New York, USA Jak-Stat Pathway, 22–24 September, Bethesda, Maryland, USA 2011 World Stem Cell Summit, 3–5 October, Pasadena, California, USA  Sign up for E-mailAlerts for Science Content Science Careers Newsletter GrantsNet Express |
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