The 2006 AAAS Science Journalism Awards honored exceptional science reporting on Alzheimer's disease, climate change in the American West, and crop research. Winners included Stacey Burling for her story on Alzheimer's and Michelle Nijhuis for her series on climate change.
A report warns of impending catastrophic collapse of all fish and seafood species by 2048, citing accelerating marine biodiversity loss as the primary cause. The study highlights the far-reaching consequences of this loss, including decreased ecosystem services such as water quality maintenance and coastal protection.
Genentech, Inc has been ranked as the top biopharmaceutical employer by Science magazine for the fifth year in a row. The company was evaluated based on characteristics such as respect for employees and alignment with personal values. A total of 19 other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies were also included in the top 20 list.
The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program supports innovative research in conservation, environmental science and park management. Eight scholarships were awarded to doctoral students from the Americas to conduct research critical to national parks.
Doris Tsao's research has shown that specific regions in the monkey brain are dedicated to recognizing faces, with neurons responding strongly to human and monkey faces. Her findings suggest that each face-recognizing neuron is tuned to respond to specific facial characteristics, allowing for the reconstruction of any face.
The 2006 Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge has awarded prizes to 22 winning entries across five categories, showcasing innovative approaches to visualize complex scientific concepts. The winning images and multimedia presentations will be featured in the September 22, 2006 issue of Science.
A new study suggests that oceanic cold seep mollusks have an older evolutionary history than the marine mollusk community as a whole. Cold seeps may have protected these unique animals from mass extinctions and low oxygen levels, allowing them to thrive in challenging environments.
Researchers successfully transformed normal immune cells into tumor fighters, demonstrating their ability to persist in the body and shrink large tumors in humans. The engineered cells were found to show signs of persistence in 15 of the 17 patients in the study, with two patients seeing significant tumor shrinkage.
Researchers studied globular star cluster NGC 6397, capturing high-resolution images of faint stars. They identified two fundamental transitions in star physics related to age, which may refine the Milky Way's age. The findings provide insights into the physics of low mass stars and white dwarfs.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean is characterized by high prevalence rates, with over 3.5 million projected cases by 2015. The region's unique challenges include poverty, migration, and a lack of research into transmission patterns.
Science journalists struggle to find good-quality images and researchers who can explain complex scientific concepts in an understandable way. They also face challenges judging the trustworthiness of research, dealing with hype, and obtaining multimedia materials to convey scientific ideas.
Researchers suggest that the orb web may have originated from a single evolutionary source, with genetic evidence supporting this theory. Fossil findings also indicate that the ancestor of the two spider groups lived at least 136 million years ago.
Researchers found 100,000-year-old shells with holes bored into their centers in Israel and Algeria, suggesting that beadworking was widespread long before the explosion of modern culture in Europe. The discovery supports the idea that modern humans developed behaviors gradually instead of emerging later in Europe.
A new study reveals that the green crab's expansion in Canada is being driven by multiple invasions, with biologists uncovering cryptic invasions of zebra mussels and brown algae. These invasive species are spreading rapidly, causing devastating effects on Canadian waterways.
The discovery of Gansus yumenensis, a loon-like ancient bird, sheds light on the early history of modern birds. Fossils found in China suggest that aquatic environments played a crucial role in the evolution of birds.
Scientists have discovered a rubble-pile asteroid, Itokawa, with a sea otter-like shape, consisting of loosely packed and porous rubble. The asteroid's structure provides critical information on its early evolution and potential threats to Earth.
A study found that individuals prioritize groups with punishment options over those without, leading to increased cooperation and financial rewards. This discovery may contribute to a general theory of human cooperation and inform strategies for addressing global issues like climate change.
The AAAS Board opposes anti-evolution laws that weaken science education, citing threats to teaching evolution and students' understanding of sciences. The organization emphasizes the scientific consensus on evolution's validity.
Margaret Turnbull has shortlisted five stars for radio signal detection and five for direct imaging of Earth-like planets. Her criteria include age, metallicity, and residency on the main sequence, favoring Sun-like stars with stable orbits.
Computers are transforming mathematical proof, with complex problems requiring hundreds of pages of data. Mathematicians face challenges in validating and verifying these proofs, raising concerns about the erosion of traditional publishing practices.
Researchers examine past warming episodes to understand potential future consequences, suggesting a possible link between human-induced global warming and rapid climate changes. Ancient greenhouse gas emissions may hold clues to mitigating the effects of climate change.
Recent increases in glacier speed on Greenland are responsible for more than two-thirds of the country's contribution to sea level rise. The southern half of Greenland is reacting to climate warming, while the northern half may follow suit, potentially increasing global sea levels.
David Michaels is recognized for his efforts to protect workers' health, particularly those exposed to toxic materials. He successfully advocated for stricter limits on exposure to beryllium and played a key role in establishing the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act of 2000.
The Merck Institute for Science Education has announced the winners of the 2006 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Program, recognizing institutions that foster interactions between biology and chemistry. The program supports research stipends for undergraduate students and aims to enhance education through research experiences in thes...
Sheila Browne, a physical organic chemist at Mount Holyoke College, received the 2005 AAAS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement. She has mentored numerous women and minorities to pursue careers in science, including securing funding for research opportunities.
Dr. Lubchenco, a marine ecologist, uses her skills to create organizations that train scientists to communicate effectively with the public. Her work aims to address environmental problems by making information and expertise accessible to government leaders.
Norman R. Augustine has been honored with the 2005 AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize for his exceptional contributions to advancing science, education, and innovation. His distinguished career spans over four decades, encompassing public service and industry leadership.
A research team led by Yuichiro K. Kato has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the spin Hall effect, a phenomenon that had defied experimental detection for 33 years. The team's discovery has the potential to lead to new applications in sensing technologies, quantum computing, and quantum communication.
The team's collaborative efforts led to near real-time determination of upper atmospheric density, improving geostationary satellite orbits. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration praised this as the 'greatest improvement in atmospheric drag modeling over the last 30 years'.
The AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize recognizes authors and illustrators who produce high-quality science books for children and young adults. The prize includes a $1,500 cash award and a plaque, aiming to promote science literacy through engaging storytelling.
Ahmet Yildiz developed a new technique for fluorescence imaging that allowed him to identify the 'walking mechanism' used by protein motors in living cells. He applied this technique to measure how Myosin V, a biomolecular motor involved in intracellular transport, moves.
Three promising young science reporters from Latin America were selected by the program's recruitment committee to attend and report on the 2006 AAAS Annual Meeting. Lorena Guzmán from Chile, Roberta Jansen from Brazil, and Rosalía Servín Magaña from Mexico will receive full support to cover the conference.
Studies on evolution at the genetic level revealed new insights into the human species' evolutionary history and potential for personalized medicine. Other research advances included planetary discovery, plant molecular biology, and a deeper understanding of neutron stars and climate change.
The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program has inducted its ninth class of students, who will conduct research on critical scientific problems affecting national parks. The program awards scholarships to support graduate students' education and research expenses for three years.
The new section will showcase peer-reviewed research and original content on science education, focusing on undergraduate and graduate levels. Innovative approaches to teaching, such as collaborative research and novel methods, will be highlighted to promote productive scholarly and public discourse.
The new ice core analysis provides insights into Antarctic climate and greenhouse gas concentrations during the most recent warm period, known as Marine Isotope Stage 11. This analog warm period occurred between 420,000 and 400,000 years ago and shares similarities with our current warm period due to similar Earth-Sun configurations.
A recent study analyzing ancient DNA from skeletons of early European farmers found that they did not contribute heavily to the genetic makeup of modern Europeans. Six out of 24 skeletons showed rare genetic signatures, suggesting that early farmers left only a minor genetic legacy in central Europe.
The AAAS Science Journalism Awards honored outstanding science writers for their reporting on global warming, cystic fibrosis treatment disparities, and other scientific topics. Elizabeth Kolbert won the magazine award for her series on climate change, while Atul Gawande was recognized for his story on cystic fibrosis treatment outcomes.
Three finalists, Pingxi Xu, Justin Blau, Paul Frankland, and Johanna Montgomery, have made significant contributions to understanding insect behavior through pheromone signaling. Their research has the potential to develop sustainable methods of pest control and improve human health by preventing disease.
A new satellite imaging method detects selective logging in the Brazilian Amazon, revealing twice the extent of forest degradation as previously estimated. Logging causes major ecological disruptions, including increased carbon flow to the atmosphere and area damage.
The new study found that full open-access journals face significant financial pressures over the longer term, with 41% reporting shortfalls. In contrast, subscription journals tend to be more profitable, with 81% of HighWire and AAMC journals reporting a profit.
A team of researchers has identified key genes responsible for the Spanish flu's extreme virulence, which could lead to the development of effective antivirals and vaccines. The study also suggests that certain FDA-approved flu medications may be effective against future strains of the virus.
The 2005 Science survey identified top biopharma employers, based on 1,566 survey responses from readers of Science and other selected respondents. The rankings were determined using a mathematical process that took into account 42 specific characteristics or attributes in seven categories.
Nine winners have been selected for their outstanding visualizations of scientific phenomena, including the emergence of 17-year cicadas and neural signaling. The winning entries will be published in the September 23 issue of Science magazine.
Despite predicted mental health issues, many tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka and India have shown remarkable resilience thanks to strong family and community ties. However, many people are still suffering from symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders, highlighting the need for more research on effective interventions.
Researchers found that early intervention could slow the pandemic by reducing morbidity until a well-matched vaccine is produced. A combination of targeted antiviral drugs, quarantine, and prevaccination was effective in containing outbreaks with relatively moderate viral reproductive numbers.
Scientists have sequenced the genomes of three parasites responsible for sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis, providing critical information for drug and vaccine development. The research identified core genes that could serve as targets for effective drugs against all three parasites.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science has identified 125 major questions that scientists have yet to answer, including the nature of dark matter and the biological basis of consciousness. The journal's special issue marks its 125th anniversary and explores these fundamental gaps in scientific knowledge.
A new AAAS study emphasizes the importance of recruiting non-traditional students into computer science studies and jobs to strengthen the U.S. workforce. The report found that traditional four-year schools often fail to meet the needs of non-traditional students, who are disproportionately women and minorities.
Researchers have created patient-specific stem cell lines using somatic cell nuclear transfer, enabling the study of human disease in laboratory cells. The new cell lines displayed signs of immunological compatibility with patients' cells.