Exploring the Antarctic Environment: Science to Guide Research Directions
Exploration of Antarctica has been in the news recently, as a Russian team successfully drilled to reach Lake Vostok, the largest of the continent’s lakes, buried beneath 3.7 kilometers of ice. The United Kingdom and the United States also have plans to drill into Antarctic bodies of water. Researchers identified more than 145 subglacial lakes [...]
Preparing for the Worst: Science to Improve Disaster Resiliency
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association reports that the United States set a record in 2011 with 12 separate billion dollar weather/climate disasters. Our nation is particularly vulnerable due to its large populations living and working in high-risk areas: seismic zones, coastal and river flood plains, and dense urban population centers. Catastrophic events can and [...]
The Dual Use Dilemma: Biological Research and Security in an Age of Terrorism
The great achievements of molecular biology and genetics over the last 50 years have produced advances in agriculture and industrial processes and have revolutionized the practice of medicine. The very technologies that fueled these benefits to society, however, pose a potential risk as well—the possibility that these technologies could also be used to create the [...]
Science Research to Drive Space Exploration
It has been a banner week for space enthusiasts! Kepler-22b is the first planet discovered beyond our system to possibly be in a habitable zone, capable of supporting life. Scientists also announced the discovery of the biggest black holes yet. New pictures of the asteroid Vesta were released, adding greatly to our knowledge of asteroids. [...]
Resources for Veterans, Active-Duty Military, and Their Families
The all-volunteer U. S. military has experienced multiple redeployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, increased use of the reserve components of the military and National Guard, increased numbers of deployed women and parents of young children, and an increase in the number of military personnel surviving severe injuries that in previous wars would have resulted in [...]
Diversity in Higher Education: Strengthening the Science, Technology, and Engineering Workforce
For the United States to maintain global leadership and competitiveness in science and technology we must grow a strong, talented, and innovative science and technology workforce. To achieve this goal, the National Research Council, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine have published reports that focus on ensuring that we draw on [...]
The Anthrax Threat Ten Years after the Letter Attacks
Ten years ago, five Americans were killed and 17 were sickened in the worst biological attack in U.S. history when letters containing the bacterium Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis, or more simply, anthrax) were sent through the mail. From October 4 to November 20, 2001, an additional 31 people tested positive for exposure to B. anthracis [...]
NRC and IOM Led Efforts to Reduce Smoking in the United States
The National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine have a history of leading efforts to reduce smoking in the United States for the benefit of public health. Twenty-five years ago this month, the National Research Council released a highly influential report that led to the smoking ban on airliners. Dr. Donald Stedman shared with [...]
Focusing on Human Factors Can Improve Home Health Care
“There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers; those who will be caregivers; and those who will need caregivers.” –Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter People with temporary or chronic conditions monitor themselves or others with daily use of medical devices such as blood [...]
Beyond the Space Shuttle: Future Directions for Space Exploration and Research
Atlantis blasted off for its final mission last week, marking the end of the space shuttle program. As we look back on what we have learned from the space shuttle and other space research programs, it is amazing to consider how far we can advance knowledge of our own solar system and planets beyond in [...]
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