Social media pioneer Anil Dash is leading Expert Labs, an independent effort to enhance policy-making by tapping into the wisdom of crowds. The initiative will leverage social networking platforms and technology startups to provide innovative solutions for sharing expertise.
The 2009 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards honored excellence in science reporting, including a story about probability told through a drifting balloon and a series on a rare genetic disorder affecting a family in rural Montana. The winners will receive $3000 and a plaque at the 2010 AAAS Annual Meeting.
Researchers have successfully used a gene therapy technique to slow the onset of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, a severe brain disease, in two patients. The treatment involved introducing a therapeutic gene into blood cells using a lentiviral vector, which showed promise in slowing disease progression and improving neurological function.
Young neurobiologist Richard Benton's research on insect odor detection has uncovered unanticipated evolutionary parallels between chemosensation, immune recognition, and synaptic transmission. His findings have significant implications for controlling disease-transmitting insects and understanding the evolution of nervous systems.
The debut edition of Science Translational Medicine describes a microfluidics device for detecting tiny amounts of estrogen, which could improve breast cancer screening. Researchers have also identified a novel mechanism to protect patients from graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplants.
The study provides the first comprehensive description of Ardipithecus ramidus, revealing a mix of primitive and derived traits. The findings suggest that early hominids lived in woodland environments, climbed on all fours along tree branches, and walked upright on two legs.
A new species of tyrannosauroid dinosaur, Raptorex kriegsteini, has been discovered in China that predates the Tyrannosaurus rex by tens of millions of years. The fossil, which is only three meters long, exhibits the same physical traits as T. rex, including an oversized skull and powerful jaws.
Recent discoveries in Chinese archaeology are forcing scientists to reconsider the origins of ancient Chinese civilization, highlighting a more complex and diverse history. The findings also raise questions about the impact of looting and development on China's cultural heritage.
The partnership aims to increase the value of Science research by providing interactive video demonstrations of experimental techniques. The first video in the program showcases an innovative method for visualizing immune control in viral infections.
A study published in Science found that changing winter conditions are causing Scotland's wild Soay sheep to get smaller. The researchers suggest that this is an ecological response to environmental variation over the last 25 years, rather than evolutionary change.
Researchers discovered the large blue butterfly's extreme dependence on a single ant species led to its demise. The study reveals how habitat overgrowth caused soil temperatures to drop, resulting in diminishing ant numbers and ultimately, the butterflies' decline.
Underage drinking can lead to memory loss, as the brain's hippocampus is still maturing. Alcohol also impairs judgment, leading to risky behaviors like unprotected sex or drunk driving. Additionally, teens who drink are more likely to engage in violent behavior and experience dehydration, headaches, and hangovers.
From 2001-2008, the annual number of Ph.D.s awarded to underrepresented minorities increased by 50% in natural sciences and engineering fields. The Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate program has seen significant success in boosting minority participation in science-related studies.
Deaf individuals can invent simple gestures called 'homesigns' in a family setting, which may eventually develop into conventional sign languages. Researchers will discuss the emergence and evolution of these language systems at the AAAS Annual Meeting.
Researchers are exploring petascale computing to model complex systems like severe storms, enabling better prediction and potentially saving lives. The technology will also facilitate the analysis of large datasets in fields such as high-energy physics.
Scientists will discuss new techniques to understand planetary formation, habitability, and potential for life. Experts will share insights on the probability of finding Earth-like planets within a few dozen light years of the sun.
Researchers explore social behavior in various animal species, including birds and gerbils, to understand how they use social cues for mating, diet, and survival. These findings demonstrate that animals have evolved complex social behaviors, challenging the idea of human exceptionalism.
Researchers highlight successes in managing fish stocks and protecting Pacific coral reefs from climate change impacts. These efforts may offer a temporary reprieve, but prioritizing biodiversity protection is crucial.
Recent findings suggest early humans primarily ate gelatin, contradicting the long-held notion that they ate hard, tough foods like nuts. This shift in understanding may be linked to crisis situations rather than everyday dietary needs.
A UK research team discovered a new molecular cue that promotes limb regeneration in newts, which could help guide the field of regenerative medicine. The finding was recognized with the 2008 AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize.
Kenneth R. Miller received the 2008 AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology for his sustained efforts in communicating evolutionary science. He made an extraordinarily persuasive public case for the power of science to explain the natural world, upholding the integrity of U.S. science education.
Ambassador Thomas Pickering received the award for his efforts to extend traditional responsibilities of environment, science, and technology officers in US missions abroad. He supported bilateral science agreements to strengthen diplomatic relations and bring global attention to issues like nuclear affairs and environmental stewardship.
Drummond Rennie receives AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for his efforts to promote integrity in scientific publishing and research. He is recognized for his advocacy on issues such as publication bias, conflicts of interest, and compulsory registration of clinical trials.
The 2009 AAAS/Subaru Science Books & Film competition honored 10 authors, one illustrator, and seven books that explore sibling relationships, global climate change, and neuroscience. The prizes aim to foster scientific literacy in children and young adults by recognizing good science writing and illustration.
Sylvia T. Bozeman, a professor at Spelman College, has been awarded the 2008 AAAS Mentor Award for her commitment to mentoring underrepresented students in mathematics. Since becoming chair of the mathematics department, 20 graduates have received doctoral degrees in mathematics or math education.
Richard A. Meserve has been selected to receive the 2008 Philip Hauge Abelson Prize for his remarkable career advancing science in the public interest. He is recognized for his contributions to institutions, scientific communities, and the general public, both domestically and internationally.
Fourteen colleges awarded Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program grants to support interdisciplinary biology and chemistry research. Since 1994, the program has supported over 2,000 undergraduates in more than 200 institutions.
Percy A. Pierre, a renowned engineer and educator, has been awarded the 2008 AAAS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement for his dedication to increasing the number of African-American and Hispanic-American Ph.D.s in engineering. He has mentored 27 doctoral graduates through the Sloan Engineering Program at Michigan State University.
The AAAS Science Journalism Awards have received a $2 million endowment from the Kavli Foundation to foster strong, probing science writing. The awards, established in 1945, recognize distinguished reporting on science by professional journalists.
EurekAlert! and AAAS have launched fellowships for five Latin American science journalists, allowing them to cover the latest research at the AAAS Annual Meeting. The program aims to promote international scientific dialogue and advance sound science reporting worldwide.
Researchers discovered that desert locusts have higher serotonin levels when behaving in a swarm-like manner, which may help identify individual neurons driving this behavior and lead to more effective pest control. Desert locust swarms can devastate crop yields, with 20% of the world affected by this species.
Researchers successfully reprogrammed cells from patients with difficult-to-study diseases, creating 'stem-cell-like' cells that can be induced to assume new identities. This innovation holds promise for understanding disease development and potentially treating conditions like Parkinson's disease and type 1 diabetes.
The AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books promotes science literacy among young readers. The prize recognizes 19 finalists in four categories, including children's picture books, middle grades science books, young adult science books, and hands-on activity books. Winners will receive $1,500 and a plaque.
Ethan Clark Garner has won the top award for understanding DNA segregation, assembly and regulation of bacterial actin-like proteins. His research has focused on a minimal DNA segregating machine that ensures dividing bacteria provide both halves with duplicate genetic material.
Alcohol can damage or kill neurons, altering adolescent brain development. Research suggests that teens are more likely to make bad decisions, develop tolerance, take risks, harm memories and interact poorly with medications when drinking alcohol.
The 2009 AAAS/Science dance contest selected four winners, each expressing their Ph.D. thesis in a unique dance form. The winning scientists are Sue Lynn Lau, Miriam Sach, Vince LiCata, and Markita Landry, whose research spans from vitamin D to single molecule measurements.
The AAAS Science Journalism Awards honored excellence in science reporting, including a series on memory and the brain, efforts to search for life elsewhere in the cosmos, and an investigation into the effectiveness of anti-cholesterol medications. The winners received $3,000 and a plaque at the 2009 Annual Meeting.
Dr. Mauro Costa-Mattioli has discovered a type of molecular switch in mice that determines whether a long-term memory is formed from an experience, improving spatial memory and synaptic connections. His research holds hope for developing new therapies for age-related memory loss and Alzheimer's Disease.
Researchers analyzed data from the CoRoT space telescope mission, finding that three nearby stars have larger vibrations and finer surface texture than our Sun. The study provides valuable information about the physical properties of nearby stars and sheds new light on the Sun's interior.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao emphasized the importance of basic research investment, aiming for a 4% annual reduction in energy consumption. He also vowed to improve food safety and tackle environmental challenges, recognizing science as crucial for societal development.
The AAAS study found 626 points of destruction affecting civilians in 24 villages near Tskhinvali, with significant fire damage and evidence of military activity. The analysis contradicts Russia's claim that Georgian troops inflicted most of the damage.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science's annual survey ranks top biopharma employers based on driving characteristics such as financial strength and research-driven environment. This year, Genentech regained top honors, followed by Monsanto and Genzyme in the top three.
The 2008 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge recognizes artists who use visual media to promote scientific understanding. The competition features stunning visuals and innovative uses of media to showcase various scientific research topics, including the anatomy of a squid and the creation of spontaneous buckl...
A study published in Science reveals that genetically modified cotton (Bt cotton) reduces pest populations not only among the modified crops but also among nearby unmodified crops. This finding could offer promising ideas for controlling pests and maximizing crop yields in the future.
Middle schoolers are increasingly exposed to alcohol use due to peer pressure and social events. Parents can take proactive steps to prevent early drinking by having open conversations with their children about the risks of alcohol abuse.
A computer simulation reveals the formation of the first stars in the universe, showing how dark matter and gas interacted to create these ancient celestial bodies. The study provides insight into the origins of life and planets, highlighting the importance of stellar elements in our bodies.
Researchers confirm the 'divide and protect' bonding structure in metallic gold nanoclusters, finding stability due to surface-chemical bonds and a filled electron shell. The study reveals distinct electronic properties and potential applications for nanoparticle chemistry.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is expanding its online journal Science Signaling, which focuses on new insights for combating disease and understanding normal human biology. Dr. Michael B. Yaffe will serve as Chief Scientific Editor, aiming to attract and publish top-notch signaling research.
A study found that flu viruses originating in East and Southeast Asia spread globally, with strains emerging in Asia first, followed by Europe and North America. The research aims to improve flu vaccine design by focusing surveillance efforts on these regions.
The American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) report warns that the US is losing its expertise in rapidly identifying nuclear materials. The pipeline for replacing these specialists is almost empty, and university programs in radiochemistry have been dwindling.