Fourteen US colleges have won the Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program, receiving up to $60,000 in funding. The program supports research collaborations and stipends for undergraduate students
Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, has been recognized for his efforts to popularize science and technology through various outreach initiatives. He will receive the AAAS Public Understanding of Science & Technology Award, which acknowledges his dynamic leadership in engaging the public in science.
Robert Watson, a renowned climate scientist, has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to promoting international scientific cooperation. He is being awarded the AAAS International Scientific Cooperation Award for his work on environmental and sustainable development.
The winners of the 2008 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books include four children’s science picture book authors and illustrator, and three young adult science book authors. The prize promotes science literacy by recognizing authors who convey the excitement of science in ways that engage young minds.
Climate scientist James Hansen receives AAAS Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility for his outspoken advocacy on human influence on global climate. The award recognizes his efforts to protect the public's health and safety by communicating openly with the public about critical research findings.
Burton Richter, a Nobel laureate in physics, has been awarded the 2007 AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize for his outstanding contributions to research and public policy. The prize recognizes his work on energy and sustainable development, as well as his tireless advocacy for sound science in American government.
Carlos Castillo Chavez has been honored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his efforts to help underrepresented students earn doctoral degrees in the sciences. Through his summer research program, he has mentored numerous Hispanic Americans and Native Americans to graduate programs.
The AAAS and EurekAlert have launched a fellowship program for Arab science writers, facilitating knowledge and cultural exchanges between the Western and Middle Eastern science communities. The program aims to promote international scientific dialogue and advance the communication of science news to global audiences.
The AAAS analysis reveals that Congress inserted nearly $4.5 billion in federal research and development earmarks in spending bills for fiscal year 2008. The earmarks totaled 2,526 projects, with $939 million allocated to non-defense projects and $3.5 billion to Defense Department projects.
The article profiles the nine leading US presidential candidates on their stance on critical scientific issues. Hillary Clinton proposes a $50 billion research fund for green energy, while John Edwards aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.
Advances in genome sequencing and single-nucleotide polymorphisms have revealed the vast differences in human DNA, enabling researchers to identify disease-related genes and risk factors. The study also highlights the potential of 'copy number variants' and induced pluripotent stem cells to improve our understanding of genetic activity.
The Hinode space mission has made groundbreaking discoveries about the Sun's surface and atmosphere, shedding light on long-standing mysteries. Researchers found evidence of Alfvén waves, which could heat the corona to extreme temperatures and accelerate the solar wind.
Matt Stremlau's research identified the factor responsible for blocking HIV-1 infection in Old World monkey cells, providing insights into innate immunity to viruses. The protein TRIM5alpha causes the rapid disassembly of the viral capsid core, rendering the virus ineffective.
The AAAS Science Journalism Awards recognize outstanding work in science reporting, including a series on ocean disturbances and stories on mysterious elk deaths. Winners include Jennifer Frazer and Kenneth Weiss for their coverage of these topics.
A Chinese-Australian research team studied the whitefly Bemisia tabaci's invasive behavior, discovering that it breeds more when interacting with native populations and suppresses their reproduction rates. This asymmetrical mating interaction drives the widespread invasion and displacement of native species.
Neurobiologist Rachel Wilson has been awarded the 2007 International Grand Prize in Neurobiology for decoding a pattern of impulses from receptor neurons to identify an odor. Her research reveals complexities in how odors are processed by the brain, using genetic tools and measurements of neural activity in living flies.
Researchers have found an unusual cold spot in the cosmic microwave background that could be caused by a cosmic defect created just after the Big Bang. The discovery provides a potential window into understanding the fundamental nature of elementary particles and forces.
Chilean researchers have identified a brain region that plays a role in drug craving in amphetamine-addicted rats. The insular cortex processes information about the body's physiological states and guides behavior, indicating its potential as a target for treating drug addiction.
The Science survey ranks top biopharma employers based on driving characteristics, with Boehringer Ingelheim leading the list. Genentech comes in second, followed by Amgen. The rankings are determined by an independent research firm commissioned by AAAS.
A new AAAS analysis uses high-resolution satellite images to document human rights violations in eastern Burma. The research confirms eyewitness accounts of village destruction, forced relocations, and a growing military presence at 25 sites.
The 2007 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge has selected its top winning entries, featuring visually striking images that showcase the beauty of science. The contest, sponsored by AAAS and NSF, honors artists who use visual media to promote scientific research.
The universe's earliest stars, formed in warm dark matter strings, could help clarify whether the universe is made of warm or cold dark matter. These ancient stars would have formed in long filaments and could provide new insights into dark matter's energy and its impact on galaxy formation.
A study published in Science found that toddlers outperform apes in understanding nonverbal communications, imitating solutions to problems, and understanding intentions of others. The research suggests that humans have distinctive social cognitive skills that allow them to excel in cultural groups.
The AAAS project aims to provide a science-based understanding of alcohol's effects on the body, focusing on key scientific concepts and recent advances in neuroscience. The initiative will offer students and teachers a comprehensive resource for teaching and learning about underage drinking.
A study published by AAAS suggests that Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) is a potential cause of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a phenomenon where adult bees disappear from hives. Researchers found molecular signs of IAPV associated with CCD, but stressors like poor nutrition and pesticide exposure are also likely involved.
Researchers used VR goggles to induce out-of-body-like experiences in healthy people, suggesting a disconnect between brain circuits that process sensory information may be responsible. The findings help solve the question of how we perceive our own bodies and may have implications for training people to perform delicate tasks remotely.
According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Congress is expected to increase research budgets across major non-defense agencies, with significant funding increases proposed for environmental, energy and biomedical initiatives. The proposed new spending would add billions to the FY 2008 budget.
A new perspective on the origin of civilization is proposed in Science, suggesting many urban centers existed 5,000 years ago in an arc across Middle Asia. Archaeological findings indicate shared trade, iconography, and culture among civilizations.
A new online effort by Amnesty International USA uses high-resolution satellite images to track the status of settlements in the war-torn Darfur region. The project provides evidence of destroyed villages and allows users to visually track the status of settlements considered possible targets of attack.
A study by researchers found that wild orangutans' upright walking, or bipedalism, may have arisen in tree-dwelling apes, rather than in human ancestors. The discovery challenges the long-held savannah hypothesis and suggests that early human ancestors abandoned high canopies for forest floors, where they remained bipedal.
The rhesus macaque genome shows 97.5 percent similarity to both chimpanzees and humans, highlighting genetic differences between primates. Researchers identified 200 genes with evidence of positive selection during evolution, which may contribute to human-specific traits.
A new study reveals that medieval Islamic artisans used a set of decorated polygonal tiles, or girih tiles, to create intricate patterns. This method allowed for an important breakthrough in Islamic mathematics and design, producing quasicrystalline designs that were not understood in the West for another 500 years.
The AAAS Board has released its first consensus statement on global climate change, confirming that human activities are causing the Earth's temperature to rise. The statement emphasizes the urgent need for action to address this growing threat to society, citing rapid melting of glaciers and sea level rises.
The Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program has awarded $60,000 to 15 US colleges for research programs emphasizing chemistry and biology. The program aims to enhance undergraduate education through research experiences and encourage students to pursue graduate education in chemistry and life sciences.
Scientists have mapped a vast water system beneath two of West Antarctica's fastest-moving ice streams using NASA's ICESat satellite data. The study reveals that these subglacial lakes are actively filling and emptying, with water moving at rates of several meters per day.
New images from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show linear fractures and 'halos' of light-toned bedrock, suggesting past fluid flow through underlying bedrock. The findings provide a promising site to search for evidence of habitable niches in the Martian past.
Four authors and an illustrator of children's science books won the 2007 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, recognized for promoting scientific literacy and appreciation. The winners include Dianna Aston and Sylvia Long for Children's Science Picture Book, Catherine Thimmesh for Middle Grades Nonfiction Science Boo...
Jianguo Wu, Arizona State University landscape ecologist, received the 2006 AAAS International Scientific Cooperation Award for his outstanding contributions to sustainable science. He has made fundamental contributions to the study of grassland ecology and urban landscapes, with a focus on China's Inner Mongolia region.
Raymond L. Johnson, a professor at the University of Maryland, received the prestigious AAAS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement for mentoring 23 African American students to PhDs in mathematics. Gary S. May, head of Georgia Tech's electrical and computer engineering school, was also honored for guiding 33 African American students t...
Physicist S. James Gates, Jr. has been recognized with the 2006 AAAS Public Understanding of Science and Technology Award for his efforts in making complex scientific concepts accessible to diverse audiences. Through various media platforms and educational initiatives, Gates has promoted STEM education, particularly among underrepresen...
Eugenie Scott and nine science teachers who fought against the introduction of intelligent design in science classrooms are recipients of the 2006 AAAS Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility. The award recognizes their efforts to defend the integrity of science, particularly in Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Charles M. Vest was awarded the 2006 AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize for his exceptional service to science and society. He has made significant contributions to public policy, education, and university research during his tenure as president emeritus of MIT.
The winners of the 2006 AAAS Science Journalism Awards were recognized for their exceptional reporting on Alzheimer's disease, climate change, and innovative research. Stacey Burling won for her compelling story on the life and death of an Alzheimer's patient, while Michelle Nijhuis was honored for her series on climate change in the A...
Researchers found that brain damage to insula region in smokers can completely eliminate the body's urge to smoke. Damage to this structure may offer leads for new therapies to help smokers quit or monitor their progress with existing treatments.
The AAAS/EurekAlert! fellowships aim to support independent science reporting in China, promoting unbiased coverage and fostering international scientific dialogue. The recipients will cover the 2007 AAAS Annual Meeting and attend professional development sessions.
The Turiasaurus riodevensis is the largest known Sauropod dinosaur found in Europe, weighing between 40-48 tons and measuring up to 37 meters long. Researchers found numerous fossils, including a large humerus and claw, at the Barrihonda-El Humero site in Teruel, Spain.
Russian mathematician Grigori Perelman solved the Poincaré Conjecture in 2006, a problem proposed by Henri Poincaré in 1904. His proof was completed by three separate teams and led to him being awarded the Fields Medal.
Irene Chen's research on protocells and RNA-based systems has led to a deeper understanding of the emergence of cellular behavior. Her work promises exciting insights into the origins of biological complexity, suggesting that evolving higher levels of organization might have been surprisingly easy during the origin of life.
An independent committee concluded that journal editors at Science went above and beyond existing procedures to verify fraudulent stem-cell research articles, but the committee found that the cachet of publishing in Science can be an incentive not to follow the rules. The committee proposed developing a procedure for identifying high-r...
A study published in Science suggests that the standard trivalent vaccine is not effective in poor sanitation and high population density states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where polio persists. Using a monovalent vaccine may boost efficacy and help eradicate the virus.