Message to Members: A Voice in Research Misconduct Hearings
Voice Your Opinion: A Voice for Scientists
AAAS in Action: News to Note
AAAS at Work: Programs at the Forefront
AAAS Announcements: Items of Interest
Read On, Online: Science Sites

Dear AAAS Member,

In April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) proposed new rules on research misconduct. After careful review of these changes, AAAS responded with comments to the Office of Research Integrity (ORI).

While AAAS generally supports the proposals, the appeals process causes concerns. Currently, scientists play a role in hearing and assessing allegations of research misconduct. The new rules call for disbanding this appeals board in favor of a single judge who, as a nonscientist, would not be versed in the science at the very core of the misconduct findings. We believe that scientific experts are the key to fairness in legal proceedings of this nature. Since 1998, our Court Appointed Science Experts project (CASE) has assisted federal judges in identifying qualified experts.

To review the new rules proposed by DHHS, go to: http://ori.hhs.gov/. To read our response, go to: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-06/aaft-auu061704.php.

AAAS is speaking out on behalf of our members, and in the public’s interest, to urge a continuing voice for scientists in research misconduct proceedings—both in the U.S. and worldwide.

Sincerely,
Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS

P.S. I encourage everyone to read Science News reporter, Jon Cohen’s four major articles on HIV/AIDS in Asia and view the compelling photo slide show: http://www.sciencemag.org/sciext/aidsasia/

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Challenging U.S. Policy on Stem Cells
On 23 June, AAAS joined more than 100 medical, research, and education organizations in sending a letter urging U.S. President George W. Bush to change federal policy on embryonic stem cell research. The letter, drafted by the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, stated that expanding the number of available stem cell lines would advance research into catastrophic diseases. Read about the growing support for a change in policy: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2004/0623stemcell.shtml.

The Hot Topic of Global Warming
The earth warms, ice sheets melt, sea levels rise, and islands and river deltas disappear. Climate change is also charged with claiming lives and causing illness. While some policy experts dispute the risk, others warn that without action now the impact could be devastating. Read what top U.S. scientists had to say as they urged immediate steps by government and consumers during a recent meeting organized by AAAS and Science:
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2004/0616climate.shtml.

Torture: A Public Discussion
What are the legal issues of torture and prisoner treatment and what does scientific research show about the psychological and physical health effects? A recent public discussion at AAAS was part of a series of activities to mark the United Nations’ International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Read about the discussion involving two panels of experts: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2004/0629tortureIntro.shtml.

Landmark AAAS/UNESCO Forum on Education
Educators and scientists, including two Nobel laureates, represented eight countries in an exchange of ideas about improving the education of young people in mathematics, science, and technology. The AAAS-organized event, held in Paris last month, was the first major meeting since the United States rejoined the UN agency in 2003. Read about adapting new hands-on methods: http://www.aaas.org/news/newsandnotes/inside109.shtml.

Science Mental Health Reporter Wins Award
Constance Holden received a 2004 Media Award for national magazine reporting from the National Mental Health Association in the US. Cited for explaining new research in a way that is accessible to the public, her Science articles published in 2003 explored new developments in the treatment of schizophrenia, depression, and other mental illnesses. Read more: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2004/0611holdenIntro.shtml.

U.S. Diplomats Become Savvy in Science
From the State Department in Washington to U.S. embassies abroad, pressing global issues require Foreign Service Officers to be as conversant in biodiversity and bioterrorism as they are in trade and human rights issues. To increase scientific knowledge, the Foreign Service Institute has selected AAAS to plan and implement the workshop, “Environment, Science, Technology, and Health and U.S. Foreign Policy,” for the past three years. The initiative began in 2000, when Dr. Norman Neureiter was named science and technology adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State.

Review the presentations, websites, and bibliographies compiled during the weeklong course held annually in July and September: http://www.aaas.org/international/fsi/.

AAAS Announcements:
ITEMS OF INTEREST

Science Hosts Career Fair in Boston
On 9 August, Science Careers invites job seekers to a free career fair held in conjunction with the Drug Discovery Technology meeting. Come to the Hynes Convention Center, Hall A, from 11 am to 4:30 pm to discuss job opportunities with recruiters and scientists. Information: http://recruit.sciencemag.org/feature/fair/boston0804.shl. Exhibit opportunities: contact Daryl Anderson at danderso@aaas.org.

Enjoy the AAAS Reception at EuroScience in Stockholm
On 27 August, the Vasa museum, home of the world’s only surviving 17th century ship, is the site of the AAAS/Science reception for European members and friends. Join Dr. Alan Leshner, CEO, AAAS, and members and supporters, for a pleasant evening during the EuroScience Open Forum 2004. Members will receive a complimentary AAAS pin and the newly released “Milestones of Science” poster. RSVP to: aaasreception@science-int.co.uk or find additional information at: http://www.aaas.org/news/events/20040827.shtml. Read about the Vasa Museum: http://www.vasamuseet.se/Vasamuseet/Om.aspx.

Attend the AAAS/EurekAlert! Media Seminar at EuroScience
On 28 August, attendees are invited to take part in “Science and the Media: How Scientific Discoveries Become Headline News" at the Stockholm City Convention Center. This interactive seminar, co organized by the Science Media Centre, will explore how scientific developments evolve into stories for newspaper and television in the United States and Europe. For more information: http://www.eurekalert.org/esof2004.

Read the Results of the Salary Survey
Life scientists love their work, despite long hours. A higher percentage of scientists in the biotechnology industry are highly satisfied than those in the pharmaceutical industry. The disparity in pay for men and women persists. Read the income highlights of the AAAS 2004 Salary Survey at http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2004/0618salaryIntro.shtml. If you missed the special report in Science, see the 18 June issue.

Join the National Postdoctoral Association at a Discount
AAAS members who are postdocs can now join NPA at the reduced annual rate of $20. The association enhances the postdoctoral experience and the future of the research enterprise, providing a voice with government bodies, funding agencies, and professional societies. To find out more about the NPA, go to: http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/. To take advantage of this special offer, please email memuser@aaas.org

AAAS to Administer Packard Graduate Scholars Program
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation announced the transition of its Graduate Scholars Program to AAAS, citing the expertise AAAS has gained from representing all scientific disciplines for more than 150 years. The program increases the participation of African American students in the scientific enterprise by supporting graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities pursuing doctoral degrees in science, mathematics, and engineering. Find out how to make nominations for the program at http://www.packardscholars.org/index.html.

College Professors: Add Science to Your Curriculum
Your students can join AAAS for six months and get 25 issues of Science, access to Science Online, and all member benefits for only $38. Students can sign up at http://promo.aaas.org/students/.

This issue of AAAS Advances is sponsored by STKE.
Science’s Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment (STKE) provides the tools and organizational structures that allow scientists to systematize knowledge of cell signaling. To find out more about how cells control their own and each other’s behaviors through chemical signals, and to subscribe to STKE, go to: http://stke.sciencemag.org.