Table of Contents
Health and Medicine Engineering Transportation New at the National Academies Events and Open Meetings

Health and Medicine


'Transdisciplinary' Research Needed to Understand Determinants of Health

A shift from research conducted within individual disciplines to projects that engage investigators from a range of fields is needed to capitalize on expanding knowledge of how genetic, social, and environmental factors interact to influence health, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. Funders and academic research centers should revise their grant and reward mechanisms to support this type of research.

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Diagnosis and Assessment

At the request of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Institute of Medicine conducted a study on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). All veterans deployed to a war zone are at risk for the development of PTSD. The report recommends therefore (1) that health professionals query veterans about their wartime experiences and their symptoms when they present at health facilities and (2) that the disorder be diagnosed and assessed by a health professional with experience in diagnosing psychiatric disorders (e.g., primary care physicians, nurses, social workers) using the DSM-IV criteria.

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Engineering


Americans' Technological Literacy Not Well Assessed

The federal government, state governments, and the private sector should develop tests and surveys to measure Americans' knowledge and use of technology and their ability to make informed decisions on issues involving technology, says a new report from the National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council. These assessments could improve how technology is taught and help policymakers better respond to public concerns about technology.

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Transportation


Beyond Mapping: Meeting National Needs Through Enhanced Geographic Information Science

The National Academies' Division on Earth and Life Studies has released a report that identifies the critical national needs for geographic information systems (GIS) and geographic information science (GIScience) professionals. The report examines the forces that drive the need for GIS and GIScience professionals, and assesses education and research needs, including essential training and education, new curriculum challenges and responses, quality assurance in education and training, and organizational challenges. The report also looks at practical and theoretical challenges, social and infrastructure issues, and research agendas.

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New at the National Academies


NEW & IMPROVED SUBSCRIBER SURVEY

THANK YOU! to those of you who have responded to this survey. If we haven't heard from you, please take a moment now to complete it (at the accompanying link) and let us know whether and how the information we provide is helpful to you. We'll use the results to evaluate and improve this monthly newsletter and its companion Web site, the Foundation Gateway (for which the link is also provided below). Thank you!

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Events and Open Meetings


CONFERENCE: Transportation Planning for Small and Medium-Sized Communities

The National Academies' Transportation Research Board (TRB) is sponsoring the 10th National Conference on "Transportation Planning for Small and Medium-Sized Communities: Tools of the Trade," September 13-15, 2006, in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference is designed to provide ready-to-use, economical, and practical techniques for transportation professionals in small (under 50,000) and medium-sized (50,000-250,000) communities. Topics expected to be examined include small urban system planning, livable communities, transit planning, rural transportation planning, technology sharing, project programming process, transportation logistics, public involvement, and environmental issues. The conference agenda and registration information are posted at the accompanying link.

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WORKSHOP: From Exposure to Human Disease: Research Strategies to Address Current Challenges

In an effort to increase our knowledge and understanding of the interface between environmental agents and human disease, the Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine will conduct a two-day workshop titled "From Exposure to Human Disease: Research Strategies to Address Current Challenges." The workshop will be held September 14-15 at the National Academies' historic building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. Registration (free) and other information about the workshop is posted at the accompanying link; or you can call 202 334 2548.

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MEETING: Evaluation of USAID Programs to Support Development of Democracy

The Committee on the Evaluation of USAID Democracy Assistance Programs will meet September 18-19 at the National Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC. Open sessions will be held Monday the 18th from 8:30 to 3:00. 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 Tabitha Benney, by email at <tbenney@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3064.

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CONVOCATION: Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing Regions, States, and Cities

The National Academies will host a public convocation on September 28th to explore key action areas identified in our recent report, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future." The key areas include K-12 education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; higher education; research; and the innovation environment. A tentative agenda, registration form, and contact information are posted at the accompanying links.

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MEETING: Committee on Enhancing Professional Development for Teachers

The Committee on Enhancing Professional Development for Teachers will meet on September 28th in Washington DC to discuss plans for a workshop that will be held February 8-10, 2007, in Irvine CA. Open sessions of this planning meeting will take place the afternoon of the 28th; a draft agenda is posted at the accompanying link. For more information, please contact Terry K. Holmer, by email at <tholmer@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 1462.

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MEETING: A Leadership Summit to Effect Change in Teaching and Learning

A Leadership Summit to Effect Change in Teaching and Learning will be held October 3-5 at the National Academies' historic building on Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. Sessions will be open to the public beginning at 2:00 on Tuesday the 3rd and continuing until noon on Thursday the 5th. A draft agenda and project information are posted at the accompanying links. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Karen L. Imhof, by email at <kimhof@nas.edu> or by telephone at 202 334 3507.

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Screening of Historic Medical Cartoons

The National Academy of Sciences and the National Library of Medicine will co-host a film festival October 25 and 26 featuring rare and historic animated cartoons from the 1920s to the 1960s representing many medical themes such as dental hygiene, venereal disease, and cancer.

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Fall Programs at the Koshland Science Museum

The Koshland Science Museum will host public programs this fall on exploring the world beneath the seafloor, aging and mental acuity, the connection between nutrition and brain health, innovations in fuel technology, and much more. The activities scheduled for September through December are described in the accompanying press release, and additional information about the Museum is posted on its Web site.

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