Table of Contents
Biology Education Engineering Environmental Issues Health and Medicine International Issues New at the National Academies Open Meetings Policy and Research Issues Upcoming Events

Biology


Genetically Engineered Organisms, Wildlife, and Habitat: A Workshop Summary

Great advances have been made in the development and application of genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) since the first commercial introduction of transgenic corn plants in 1995. These technologies have provided enormous benefits to agricultural crop production and have the potential to transform fields such as aquaculture, biofuel production, bioremediation, biocontrol, and even the production of pharmaceuticals.

Back to top

Education


Board Certification Identifies Effective Teachers, But School Systems Not Using Them

Advanced certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) identifies effective teachers, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council. Students taught by NBPTS-certified teachers make greater gains on achievement tests than students taught by teachers who are not, the report says, yet most schools do not use their board-certified teachers well.

Back to top

Engineering


EVENT: Engineering, Social Justice, and Sustainable Community Development

The NAE Center for Engineering, Ethics, and Society will convene a workshop on October 2-3, 2008, in Washington, D.C. The workshop will explore 1) engineering and special vulnerabilities that may arise from conflicts, crises, or lack of development; 2) the interface of engineering, ethics, and practice; and 3) implications for engineering education. The workshop will also feature discussions onearly career perspectives, how engineering might better address complex choices and cultural conflicts, and potential action items. The full program and registration information for this free, public event are available online.

Back to top


New Website on Technological Literacy Launched

The NAE has launched a new web site on technological literacy called “Technically Speaking.” Learn about the Academy’s relationship with technology, common misconceptions, and the Government's role in the development and use of technology.

Back to top


Students Imagine Ways to Engineer Energy for the Future

The National Academy of Engineering announced today the winners of its EngineerGirl! national essay contest about how engineers might meet changing energy needs without harming the environment. More than 200 students in grades three through 12 submitted original essays on renewable sources -- such as wind, water, and sunlight -- and more efficient energy generation methods.

Back to top

Environmental Issues


New Edition of Climate Change Booklet Available

The National Academies have released the 2008 edition of "Understanding and Responding to Climate Change," a free booklet designed to give the public a comprehensive and easy-to-read analysis of findings and recommendations from our reports on climate change.

Back to top


Workshop Summary: Transitioning to Sustainability Through Research and Development on Ecosystem Services and Biofuels

The National Research Council’s Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability hosted Transitioning to Sustainability through Research and Development on Ecosystem Services and Biofuels: The National Academies First Federal Sustainability Research and Development Forum in October 2007. The forum discussed sustainability research and development activities related to ecosystem services and biofuels. A new report summarizes the discussions from the forum.

Back to top

Health and Medicine


Initial Guidance for an Update of the National Vaccine Plan: A Letter Report to the National Vaccine Program Office

Like other medical products, vaccines have benefits and risks, and in recent decades vaccine safety has emerged as an important topic both for the public health and medical communities and for the public. Research on vaccine safety has increased and regulatory attention to safety has intensified.

Back to top

International Issues


Science Academies Call for International Action on Climate Change, Global Health

Today the science academies of the G8 countries, as well as China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa, issued statements urging leaders worldwide to take action on two pressing global challenges. To mitigate and adapt to climate change, nations must begin a transition to being "low-carbon societies," a shift that will require energy-saving changes in all sectors -- from housing to transportation to industry -- and the development of a range of clean energy sources. Meeting global health challenges, such as infectious disease outbreaks and the rising incidence of lifestyle-linked diseases such as diabetes, will require stronger collaboration among nations, as well as the strengthening of their health systems and health work force.

Back to top

New at the National Academies


New NAP Publications Online

To review all recent National Academies publications, visit The National Academies Press website.

Back to top


The Sounds of Science Podcast from the National Academies

This informative and entertaining weekly series of audio podcasts puts the spotlight on the high-impact work of the National Academies. Focusing on a wide range of critical issues in science, engineering, and medicine, these short 10-minute episodes are a quick and easy way to tune in to all the key findings and important recommendations made by the Academies.

Back to top

Open Meetings


EVENT: Gaps and Priorities in U.S. Contributions to Global Disease Challenges

The Institute of Medicine will convene a consensus committee on July 7, 2008 to examine the case for why multiple elements of American society should invest in global health, what areas need the most attention, and how best to accomplish the ultimate objective.

Back to top


EVENT: National Vaccine Plan: Meeting Two

The federal government issued "Disease Prevention through Vaccine Development and Immunization, The US National Vaccine Plan" in 1994. The Institute of Medicine will convene an ad hoc committee to evaluate the 1994 National Vaccine Plan and then review and make recommendations regarding an update of this National Vaccine Plan. The committee will hold workshops with national expert stakeholders in medicine, public health, and vaccinology to review a publicly available, draft update of the Plan. The second meeting will be held July 24-25, 2008. The committee will prepare a letter report of the evaluation of the 1994 Plan, and a report with conclusions and recommendations about priority actions within the major components of the draft Plan.

Back to top

Policy and Research Issues


An Assessment of Small Business Innovation Research Program at the Department of Energy

Entrepreneurs in the United States see opportunities and are willing and able to take on risk to bring new welfare-enhancing, wealth-generating technologies to the market. Yet, while innovation in areas such as genomics, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology present new opportunities, converting these ideas into innovations for the market involves substantial challenges.

Back to top

Upcoming Events


New Lecture Series to Be Held in Woods Hole, Mass.

The National Academies is pleased to present Distinctive Voices@The Jonsson Center, a new series of public events to be held in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, at the Academies' Jonsson Center. The programs feature award-winning scientists and engineers talking about recent developments in their fields -- nanomedicine, implanted medical devices, global cooperation, nutrition, caves on Earth and beyond, and discoveries which may lead to new antibiotic therapies.

Back to top