February 9 -- The classification of the dry-cleaning solvent tetrachloroethylene, also known as PERC, as "likely to be a human carcinogen" and as toxic to the nervous system is supported in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s draft human health assessment for the chemical, says a new National Research Council report. The report also recommends improvements for EPA's final assessment, such as using better designed studies and stronger approaches to estimate the potential for cancer and safe inhalation and oral exposures.
February 4 -- In an editorial in Science magazine, National Academy of Sciences President Ralph J. Cicerone says that the publicity surrounding the case of climate scientists’ e-mails that were stolen from a U.K. university has raised concerns about the standards of science and damaged public trust. While he says that scientists' understanding of climate change is undiminished by this incident, he calls for action to preserve the trust between science and society.
February 1 -- The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine will hold a series of events for African-American History Month including a lecture on Feb. 18 by Wanda M. Austin (NAE) about how living by your values and working for an employer with values you admire can make a difference for communities, companies, and citizens; Counting America and the 2010 Census at the Koshland Science Museum's Family Day on Feb. 27; and a concert on Feb. 14 by Ritz Chamber Players.
January 28 -- Naturally occurring methane hydrate may represent an enormous source of methane -- the main component of natural gas -- and could ultimately enhance conventional natural gas supplies, although some technical challenges remain before commercial production is feasible, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council. Moreover, the U.S. Department of Energy has made considerable progress toward understanding and developing methane hydrate as a possible future energy resource.
January 27 -- Several researchers and other experts affiliated with the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine who specialize in managing emergency operations and responding to medical and infrastructure needs when disasters strike are available to answer questions from officials leading relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. In particular, experts from the Disasters Roundtable, the Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events, the Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment , and the Transportation Research Board may be able to provide useful information to those responding to the disaster in Haiti.
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