Table of Contents
Environmental Issues Health and Medicine Policy and Research Issues Events and Open Meetings

Environmental Issues


The Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster: Implications for US and Global Disaster Reduction and Preparedness

The Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami resulted in one of the greatest "natural" disasters that the world has seen in modern times. The impact of the catastrophe was felt worldwide, and unprecedented government and nongovernment disaster relief and recovery efforts were mounted from every corner of the globe. In June 2005 the Disasters Roundtable convened a workshop to consider (1) knowledge gained by researchers investigating various aspects of the disaster and its implications for implementing effective tsunami mitigation, detection, warning, and emergency response systems, (2) emerging US initiatives and how they are expected to tie into regional and global efforts to reduce the impacts of such disasters, and (3) implications of the disaster for multi-hazard mitigation and preparedness at the national and international scale.

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Health and Medicine


Efforts Needed to Boost Sleep Research, Treatment, and Awareness

Too few scientists study sleep disorders and too few health care professionals are trained in sleep medicine to meet the needs created by this underappreciated health problem, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. The report recommends steps to improve diagnosis and care for people experiencing sleep problems, and calls for a national public awareness campaign on the importance of sleep.

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No Simple Way to Reuse Facemasks During a Flu Pandemic

Given predictions that disposable facemasks will be in short supply if a flu pandemic strikes in the near future, the Institute of Medicine investigated whether these devices can be safely reused. A new report from the IOM says that there is currently no simple, reliable way to decontaminate disposable medical masks or respirators in order to enable people to safely use them more than once.

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Report Identifies Best Ways to Increase Organ Donation

After examining a wide range of proposals to increase rates of organ donation, a new report from the Institute of Medicine urges greater efforts to educate the public about the benefits of organ donation and to boost opportunities for people to record their decisions to donate. Additional efforts to sustain quality improvements in the donation system are also needed.

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Policy and Research Issues


$1 Million Awarded to Genomics Research Projects

The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative announced the recipients of its 2005 grants for interdisciplinary research on genomics and infectious disease. Projects that were awarded funding address research areas such as malaria, monkeypox, Crohn's disease, and rapid microbial diagnostics. The winners attended a conference last November that explored new methods to identify, diagnose, and treat infectious disease using biotechnology and genomics. A conference summary is available (see accompanying link).

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Events and Open Meetings


MEETING: Committee on Using IT to Enhance Disaster Management

The Committee on Using Information Technology to Enhance Disaster Management will meet May 1-3 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC, with open sessions scheduled the afternoon of May 1st. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Gloria Westbrook, by email at <gwestbrook@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3967.

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LECTURE: Hydrology, Politics, and Katrina: Looking Backward, Going Forward

The 14th Abel Wolman Distinguished Lecture will take place May 3rd and will feature award-winning science writer John M. Barry. Mr. Barry is the author of "Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America," a fascinating political, socioeconomic, and hydraulic history of the development of the lower Mississippi River basin. In this year's Wolman Lecture Mr. Barry, a part-time resident of New Orleans, will draw on his considerable knowledge to illuminate the present and future of the Gulf Coast region. The lecture will be held in the auditorium of the main Academies Building in Washington DC, from 5:00 to 6:00pm, followed by a reception. For more information or to RSVP, go to the accompanying link.

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MEETING: The Mississippi River and the Clean Water Act

The Committee on the Mississippi River and the Clean Water Act will meet May 11-12 at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Open sessions, including time for public comments, will be held Thursday the 11th from 10:30am to 4:15pm. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Anita Hall, by email at <ahall@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3422.

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WORKSHOP: Contributions from the Behavioral and Social Sciences in Reducing and Preventing Teen Motor Vehicle Crashes

The National Academies' Board on Children, Youth, and Families will hold a workshop on Contributions from the Behavioral and Social Sciences in Reducing and Preventing Teen Motor Vehicle Crashes, May 15-16 in the Academies' historic building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. Speakers will consider adolescent behavior and development as well as impacts of driving policies and technologies. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Wendy Keenan, by email at <wkeenan@nas.edu > or by telephone at 202 334 1759.

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"Murder at the Museum": A Forensics Investigation

A murder has taken place at the Koshland Science Museum and you need to solve the crime! What happened the night of the crime? How did the victim die? Who committed the crime? Using techniques that expert investigators use to solve real crimes, these are the questions you will answer as you solve the crime. Join us the evening of May 18th to interview suspects and collect evidence with forensics experts, including a medical examiner, a first response officer, and fingerprinting and firearms specialists.

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MEETING: Analysis of Global Change Assessments

An ad hoc committee will seek to identify lessons learned from past assessments to guide future global change assessment activities of the US Climate Change Science Program. The committee will (1) examine the strengths and weaknesses of selected past assessments in a broad range of areas, and (2) identify approaches (in terms of geographic scale, scope, assessment entity, and timing) and products that are most effective for meeting assessment objectives. The meeting will take place May 25-26 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC; an agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Rachael Shiflett, by email at <rshiflett@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3479.

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MEETING: Environmental Stewardship for the Exploration and Study of Subglacial Environments

This study addresses the environmental and scientific protection standards needed to responsibly explore and study subglacial lake environments under continental-scale ice sheets. There are two key issues: (1) how to collect the best possible samples for scientific study while minimizing contamination of the sites and ensuring preservation for future scientific inquiry, and (2) how to ensure wise stewardship of these unique environments, including strict observance of environmental protection responsibilities under domestic and international laws and treaties. The meeting will take place May 25-26 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC; a draft agenda will be posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Rachael Shiflett, by email at <rshiflett@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3583.

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WORKSHOP: Impact of Pregnancy Weight on Maternal and Child Health

A workshop on the Impact of Pregnancy Weight on Maternal and Child Health will be held May 30-31 in the Academies' historic building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. Presentations will address short- and long-term maternal and infant health outcomes as well as behavioral and psychosocial factors. A draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Wendy Keenan, by email at <wkeenan@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1759.

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