Table of Contents
Earth Sciences Engineering Health and Medicine National Security Policy and Research Issues Transportation Upcoming Events and Open Meetings

Earth Sciences


Marine Debris Will Likely Increase Without Improved Management

Measures to reduce litter and abandoned fishing gear in the oceans are inadequate, and the problem will likely worsen in the 21st century, says a new report from the National Research Council. The U.S. should adopt a goal of "zero discharge" of garbage by ships at sea and provide strong leadership and coordination at the international and national levels.

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Engineering


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 on early 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.

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NAE Public Symposium: Grand Challenges For Engineering - How Do We Make Them Happen

The Grand Challenges for Engineering project is designed to spark public discussion and awareness that engineering is essential to addressing current and emerging societal issues. Meeting the challenges will require the support of the public and policy makers. As we stand less than two months before the U.S. presidential election, we hope to inspire an informed conversation about the hurdles of public backing and policy issues that stand in the way of addressing the Grand Challenges for Engineering. The Symposium will take place Monday, October 6, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM in Washington, DC. There is no charge to attend but registration is required.

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Health and Medicine


Community Perspectives on Obesity Prevention in Children

The Institute of Medicine conducted a workshop in June 2008 about community perspectives on childhood obesity prevention. This workshop featured site-leaders and evaluators representing different locally-based childhood obesity prevention programs. These participants are key stakeholders in community led initiatives for obesity prevention. A discussion about the challenges and promising approaches for evaluating and acting on complex policy as well as programmatic interventions to prevent obesity and its health consequences are documented in the summary entitled Community Perspectives on Childhood Obesity Prevention.

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Global Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events: Understanding the Potential Contributions to the Spread of Infectious Disease

Long before the “germ theory” of disease was described, late in the nineteenth century, humans knew that climatic conditions influence the appearance and spread of epidemic diseases.Ancient notions about the effects of weather and climate on disease remainembedded in our collective consciousness—through expressionssuch as “cold” for rhinovirus infections; “malaria,” derived from the Latin for “bad air;” and the common complaint of feeling “under the weather.” Today, evidence is mounting that earth’s climate is changing at a faster rate than previously appreciated, leading researchers to view the longstanding relationships between climate and disease with new urgency and from a global perspective. On December 4 and 5, 2007, the Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop in Washington, DC to consider the possible infectious disease impacts of global climate change and extreme weather events on human, animal, and plant health, as well as their expected implications for global and national security.

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Guidelines for Embryonic Stem Cell Research Amended

The National Academies have updated their guidelines for the responsible conduct of research using human embryonic stem cells. These voluntary guidelines are based on a joint National Research Council-Institute of Medicine committee's review of scientific, ethical, and policy issues that have arisen since the guidelines were last updated in 2007.

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National Security


System for Determining Biological Threat Risk Should Be Revised

The Biological Threat Risk Assessment -- a computer-based tool developed by the Department of Homeland Security to assess the threat posed by biological agents if deployed in an attack upon the U.S. population -- contains deficiencies that need to be addressed and corrected before it can be used as a basis for decision making, according to a new report from the National Research Council. Copies of the report are available from the National Academies Press (www.nap.edu/). Comments from the Department of Homeland Security, supplied as part of a required security review, are available from the Public Access Records Office (202-334-3543; paro@nas.edu).

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Policy and Research Issues


Academies Offer Advice to Presidential Candidates on S&T Appointments

A new report from the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine offers guidance to John McCain and Barack Obama on making key science and technology appointments in the federal government after the election. The report lists approximately 80 high-level S&T appointees who will be crucial in advising the new president on issues that range from energy to economic growth.

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Strengthening Research on Housing and Urban Policy

Although most U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development research is useful and of high quality, declining resources have greatly reduced the agency’s capacity, leaving policymakers and the public ill-informed about critical policy issues, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council. With more funding from Congress, HUD should implement a forward-looking research program that focuses on current and emerging housing and urban issues.

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Transportation


Fuel-Efficiency Ratings for Tires Proposed

Congress has ordered the implementation by the end of 2009 of a national consumer information program whose goal will be to produce ratings on passenger tire fuel-efficiency, although regulations will not require tires to be labeled with the ratings. In 2003 the Transportation Research Board said in its report Tires and Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy that reducing tire rolling resistance by an average of 10 percent could decrease U.S. passenger vehicle gasoline consumption by 1 percent to 2 percent. It concluded that a 10 percent reduction in rolling resistance was both technically and economically feasible and that the resulting increase in fuel economy would save the United States between 1 billion and 2 billion gallons of gas per year. The fuel savings would be equivalent to taking 2 million to 4 million vehicles off the road.

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Impact of Changing Demographics on the Transportation System Conference

TRB is sponsoring the Impact of Changing Demographics on the Transportation System Conference on October 27-28, 2008, in Washington, D.C. The conference will explore how the changing socio-demographics of our society affect transportation patterns and needs. Additional information is available via the preliminary program. Advance registration closes October 6, 2008.

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Upcoming Events and Open Meetings


National Academies to Host Lecture Series in California

The fall lecture series of Distinctive Voices@The Beckman Center will began on Sept. 10. The programs feature award-winning scientists and engineers discussing recent findings and research developments in their fields. Topics include ancient Maya, impact of earthquakes in southern California, future of the Internet, science comedy, and wildlife and ecology.

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