Date: Feb. 27, 2009
Editor: Valerie Chase
"Reports & Events" is a monthly list of selected events open to the public and a listing of National Academies reports tentatively scheduled for release next month. A complete listing of events can be accessed at http://search.nap.edu/nap-cgi/events.cgi.
MEETINGS
Health reform for an aging America
March 12
(Washington, D.C.)
Health care in the United States needs to be optimized to most efficiently and effectively treat older adults in particular, as this growing population uses the majority of health care resources and costs continue rising. This symposium builds on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine's recent report on shaping a health care work force that can meet the needs of older Americans, and will address how the report's recommendations are key to health reform discussions. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Liaison Capitol Hill, 415 New Jersey Ave., N.W. An agenda and registration are available online at http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3809/40113/62234.aspx.
CONTACT: Office of News and Public Information, 202-334-2138
Higher education in Iraq
March 14 and 15
(Washington, D.C.)
The National Academies and the Embassy of Iraq will co-host a conference where Iraqi academics and officials and their American counterparts will gather to discuss ways to improve and sustain higher education in Iraq. An exhibit of Iraqi art will be displayed during the conference, which will take place in the auditorium of the National Academy of Sciences building, 2100 C St., N.W. Reporters who wish to attend should register in advance.
CONTACT: Office of News and Public Information, 202-334-2138
Tenth annual Roger Revelle Commemorative Lecture
March 17
(Washington, D.C.)
Paul Falkowski, professor at the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences and the department of geology at Rutgers University, will present a lecture on "The Once and Future Oceans." Part of the Roger Revelle Lecture Series sponsored by the National Research Council, the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Baird Auditorium of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Additional information is available online at http://dels.nas.edu/osb/. Reporters who wish to attend should register in advance.
CONTACT: Office of News and Public Information, 202-334-2138
Strategies to reduce sodium intake
March 30
(Washington, D.C.)
An Institute of Medicine study committee that is reviewing strategies to reduce Americans' excessive sodium consumption will hold an information-gathering meeting to explore topics that include taste perception, changing consumer behavior, and regulatory options for reducing sodium intake. The meeting will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Room E11200 of the Venable Conference Center, 575 7th St,. N.W. An agenda and registration are available online at http://iom.edu/CMS/3788/59128/62278/62280.aspx.
CONTACT: Office of News and Public Information, 202-334-2138
America's climate choices
March 30 and 31
(Washington, D.C.)
This summit will kick-start an open dialogue on climate change as the country and world grapple with what to do next. Top climate change experts will meet with members of Congress and the Obama administration, as well as with business leaders and representatives of nongovernmental organizations. Presentations at the summit will inform a series of reports requested by Congress, which will culminate with an overarching consensus report from the National Research Council on how the U.S. could most effectively respond to climate change.
The summit will be held in the auditorium of the National Academy of Sciences building, 2100 C St., N.W. A live video webcast will be available at http://national-academies.org. Reporters who wish to attend should register in advance. More information on the summit and reports can be found at http://www.americasclimatechoices.org.
CONTACT: Office of News and Public Information, 202-334-2138
Evolution in health and medicine
April 2 and 3
(Washington, D.C.)
Evolution, genetics, and medicine share a long and distinguished tradition. Although evolutionary biology and genetics merged in the mid-20th century, medicine has remained isolated from the evolutionary half of this synthesis. The National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine will co-sponsor a colloquium for evolutionary biologists, physician scientists, human geneticists and biologists, epidemiologists, veterinary scientists, and ethicists who are working toward an interdisciplinary synthesis that will bring the full power of evolutionary biology to bear in medicine, public health, and related fields. IOM President Harvey Fineberg will give a keynote address, and E.O. Wilson will deliver the annual Sackler Lecture. The event will take place at the National Academy of Sciences building, 2100 C St. N.W. A program agenda and registration information are available online at http://www.nasonline.org/Sackler_evolution_health_medicine. Reporters who wish to attend must register in advance.
CONTACT: Susan Marty, 949-721-2213 or e-mail <sackler@nas.edu>
REPORTS
The following reports from the National Academies are tentatively scheduled for release during March. However, release dates depend on successful completion of the review process and publishing schedules. Reporters who would like to be notified when a report is due for release should contact the Office of News and Public Information -- tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail <news@nas.edu> -- and ask to be placed on the contact list.
DEFENSE and SECURITY
Countering Biological Threats: Challenges for the Department of Defense's Nonproliferation Program Beyond the Soviet Union
[National Research Council]
Examines how the Defense Department can prevent the proliferation of biological weapons in developing countries.
Countering Terrorism: Biological Agents, Transportation Networks, and Energy Systems -- Summary of a U.S.-Russian Workshop
[National Research Council]
Includes papers from a March 2007 workshop held in Moscow that examined ways to identify and respond to terrorist threats. Among the topics covered are disease surveillance, transportation planning for evacuations, and oil and gas pipeline security.
CTR 2.0: From Cooperative Threat Reduction to Global Security Engagement
[National Research Council]
Recommends ways to strengthen and expand the Department of Defense's Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, whose mission is to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction.
EDUCATION and SOCIAL ISSUES
21st Century Innovation Systems for U.S. and Japan: A Decade of Change -- Report of a Symposium
[National Research Council]
Summarizes a 2006 workshop held in Tokyo that examined systems for encouraging innovation in Japan and the U.S. Topics covered include partnerships between universities and industry, government support of research and development, and patent systems.
Letter Report From the Panel on the Design of the 2010 Census Program of Evaluations and Experiments
[National Research Council]
This interim letter report offers advice to the Census Bureau on how to improve experiments and tests planned for inclusion in the 2010 census, the results of which will inform the 2020 census.
Principles and Best Practices for Federal Statistical Agencies (Fourth Edition)
[National Research Council]
This edition updates a manual on best practices for agencies that collect and disseminate statistics, such as the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Strengthening High School Chemistry Education Through Teacher Outreach Programs
[National Research Council]
Summarizes an August 2008 workshop that explored the characteristics of successful chemical education outreach activities.
ENGINEERING and TECHNOLOGY
Opportunities in Neuroscience for Future Army Applications
[National Research Council]
Reviews areas of neuroscience research that could be of interest to the military. The report identifies novel technologies and methodologies used to enhance cognitive and behavioral performance, and makes recommendations on how to overcome potential barriers to research.
A Performance Assessment of NASA's Heliophysics Program
[National Research Council]
Examines whether NASA is working effectively toward its goals for solar and space physics as outlined in the 2003 National Research Council decadal survey. This report assesses NASA's progress in individual research areas and programs, and makes recommendations on how the agency can better achieve its goals.
Persistent Forecasting of Disruptive Technologies
[National Research Council]
Reviews strategies for monitoring and assessing global technology trends to forecast which technologies will fundamentally change or disrupt the market. The report will also identify future technologies of interest and discuss where and how they could become disruptive.
Planetary Protection Requirements for Mars Sample-Return Missions
[National Research Council]
Assesses the likelihood that samples returning from Mars will contain live organisms foreign to Earth's biosphere, the possible environmental effects of an inadvertent release, and the available technologies that could be employed to prevent accidental release.
Sustainable Critical Infrastructure Systems: A Framework for Meeting the Challenges -- Workshop Summary
[National Research Council]
Summarizes a May 2008 workshop on the challenges of developing infrastructure systems (water, solid waste, transportation, communications, power, telecommunications) that are physically, socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.
ENVIRONMENT and RESOURCES
America's Energy Future -- Alternative Liquid Transportation Fuel
[National Research Council and National Academy of Engineering]
Examines the technical requirements, costs, and potential benefits of transitioning to non-petroleum-based transportation fuels. The report evaluates various alternative liquid fuels, focusing on the two -- liquid fuels from plants and coal -- that could be deployed within 10 years.
America's Energy Future -- Electricity From Renewables: Status, Prospects, and Impediments
[National Research Council and National Academy of Engineering]
Examines the potential of wind, solar, geothermal, solar-thermal, hydroelectric, and other renewable energy sources. The report looks at likely deployment timelines, implementation costs, development barriers, and environmental impacts.
America's Energy Future -- Realistic Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States
[National Research Council and National Academy of Engineering]
Reviews the potential for reducing energy demand in the U.S. through increased efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industrial processes. The report examines existing energy efficiency technologies, those that are currently available but not widely used, and prospective technologies that are still in development.
Assessing Economic Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation -- Workshop Summary
[National Research Council]
Summarizes an October 2008 workshop that examined analytical methods for determining the potential economic impact of greenhouse gas reduction scenarios. The workshop report focuses on policy strategies to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at minimal cost.
Decision Support for a Changing Climate: Toward a Nation Empowered
[National Research Council]
Examines how the federal government can better convey information about climate to state and local decision makers and planners.
HEALTH and SAFETY
Review of the Methodology Proposed by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for Risk-Based Regulation of In-Commerce Activities
[National Research Council and Institute of Medicine]
Examines the data, assumptions, risk factors, and methodology that FSIS will use to rank the relative public health risks posed by various business types that handle meat and poultry products.
Toward Health Equity and Patient-Centeredness: Integrating Health Literacy, Disparities Reduction, and Quality Improvement -- Workshop Summary
[Institute of Medicine]
Summarizes discussions at a workshop focused on topics related to health care quality improvement in underserved areas and populations, including funding and incentives, research methods, and health literacy.
ALSO OF INTEREST
Observations in an Occupied Wilderness: Photographs by Terry Falke
(Washington, D.C.)
Falke's work honors the extraordinary beauty, terrain, and culture of the American Southwest, while emphasizing incongruities observed in humankind's interaction with the environment. The exhibit is on view in the First Floor Gallery at the National Academies' Keck Center, 500 Fifth St., N.W. Viewable by appointment only; for more information, visit http://www7.nationalacademies.org/arts/Falke.html.
CONTACT: Alana Quinn, 202-334-2415 or e-mail <aquinn@nas.edu>
Distinctive Voices @ The Beckman Center
(Irvine, Calif.)
These public events at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center explore the far-reaching role of science, technology, and medicine in our lives. Upcoming programs include:
-- Journey to Palomar (March 10, 7 p.m.)
-- Stanford Laptop Orchestra (March 20, 7 p.m.)
More information on these and other events is available online at http://voicesatbeckman.org.
CONTACT: Susan Marty, 949-721-2213 or e-mail <voicesatbeckman@nas.edu>
Marian Koshland Science Museum
(Washington, D.C.)
The Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences holds public programs on a wide variety of science-related topics. Upcoming events include:
-- Say Cheese! Understanding the Living Foods We Eat (March 26, 6:30 p.m.)
For more information, visit http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/. Reporters must register in advance.
CONTACT: Annie Drinkard, 202-334-1612 or e-mail <adrinkard@nas.edu>
Communication Awards -- Nominations Under Way
The National Academies are accepting nominations for its 2009 Communication Awards for excellence in reporting and communicating science, engineering, and medicine to the public during 2008. A $20,000 prize will be awarded to the winners in each of four categories: book author; newspaper or magazine journalist; TV/radio/film producer or reporter; and online writer or producer. Information on eligibility, submission requirements, and nomination procedures are available at http://www.nationalacademies.org/keck/awards/. The nomination process closes April 4.
CONTACT: Kimberly Suda-Blake, 949-721-2270 or e-mail <ksuda@nas.edu>
RESOURCES FOR REPORTERS
Science, medicine, and technology form the basis for many of the day's top news stories. Whether you are looking for background or searching for a different angle, check out http://national-academies.org/headlines.
Check out podcasts from the National Academies on all areas of science, engineering, and medicine at http://national-academies.org/podcast/, booklets at http://national-academies.org/publications/#booklets, and resources on evolution at http://national-academies.org/evolution/.
View the most recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences articles online by visiting This Week in Early Edition at http://www.pnas.org/site/misc/highlights.shtml, or PNAS in the News at http://www.pnas.org/site/misc/news.shtml. Journalists may register to receive embargoed material by contacting the PNAS News Office at <pnasnews@nas.edu>.
This guide, along with news releases and other documents from the Office of News and Public Information, is available on the Internet at http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/bydate.aspx.
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