Highlights:

 This Week in PNAS 
Highlights from the recent edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the Academy's scientific journal

  America's Climate Choices
In response to a request from Congress, the Academies have launched America's Climate Choices, a suite of studies designed to inform and guide responses to climate change across the nation. Experts representing various levels of government, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and research and academic institutions have been selected to serve on four panels and an overarching committee.

  NAS InterViews Podcasts
Listen to audio interviews in which members talk about their research, why they became scientists, and other aspects of their research and careers.  

News:

  Human Origins Exhibit Opens
Mar. 17, 2010: The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History has opened a new exhibit dedicated to the discovery and understanding of human origins. The National Academy of Sciences consulted on the project and is a partner institution for the exhibit. On March 31, the Smithsonian will host a lecture about a recent National Research Council report, Understanding Climate's Influence on Human Evolution. Several members of the committee that wrote the report will discuss its findings and recommendations.

  InterAcademy Council Asked to Review IPCC
Mar. 10, 2010: The InterAcademy Council, a multinational body of science academies including the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, was asked today to conduct an independent review of the processes and procedures of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The review was requested by the United Nations secretary-general and the chair of the IPCC.

   Protections at Fort Detrick Biodefense Lab Found Appropriate
Mar. 4, 2010: Despite problems in an environmental impact statement prepared by the U.S. Army for its expansion of biocontainment laboratories at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md., there are policies and procedures in place that meet or exceed currently accepted standards and provide appropriate protection to workers and the public, according to a new report that was requested by Congress.

  Report Evaluates NOAA's Education Programs
Mar. 3, 2010: NOAA can play a leadership role in federal efforts to educate students and the public about the oceans and atmopheric and climate sciences, but the agency needs to better deploy its education resources, says a new report. It recommends that NOAA increase attention to education about climate and atmospheric science, as well as broaden the participation of underrepresented groups.

  NAS Elects Foreign Secretary and Councilors
Mar. 1, 2010: Members of the National Academy of Sciences have re-elected Michael T. Clegg as the Academy's foreign secretary. Members Robert C. Dynes, Paul G. Falkowski, Diane E. Griffin, and Susan S. Taylor were elected to the NAS governing council.

  NASA Should Strengthen Suborbital Program
Feb. 26, 2010: NASA's suborbital program -- which conducts research using aircraft, balloons, and rockets -- enables cutting-edge research in areas such as climate science and astrophysics and is vital in developing technologies and training personnel, says a new report. The report recommends that NASA reorder its priorities to increase funding for the program and create a new leadership position to coordinate it.

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