News from the National Academies

National Academy of Engineering Elects Chair, Home Secretary, and Four Councillors

14 May 2012 05:03:02 EST

The National Academy of Engineering has elected a chair, home secretary, and four members to its governing Council. All terms begin July 1, 2012.

Harnessing U.S. Census Data Could Expand Access to School Meals Programs

14 May 2012 10:38:19 EST

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs provide tens of millions of meals to school children each day. School districts receive reimbursements from USDA for each child that qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, and so must determine the percentage of eligible children through formal applications or periodic household surveys. A new report from the National Research Council says that the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey could provide such information, reducing the burden on families and schools and potentially increasing the number of eligible children who participate in the programs.

Bayer CropScience Tried to Reduce Risks of MIC at W.Va. Plant

11 May 2012 11:00:52 EST

Bayer CropScience sought to reduce risks associated with the manufacturing and storage of the toxic chemical methyl isocyanate at its processing plant in Institute, W.Va., says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council. However, the company did not make an effort to incorporate all possible hazard control methods, and the report found that not all chemical manufacturing plants have adopted safer processes that aim to minimize or eliminate hazards.

Urban Meteorology and Emerging Technologies

10 May 2012 10:55:08 EST

A new National Research Council report explores forecasting and monitoring technologies that could help predict weather events unique to urban environments. The high density of people and infrastructures in urban areas makes these zones particularly vulnerable to weather-related events such as severe thunderstorms, heat waves, and air pollution. Moreover, urban settings consist of large areas covered by buildings of varying of heights, paved streets, and parking areas. These and other elements often combine in various ways to create distinct local weather environments that include heat island effects, urban flooding, changes in precipitation patterns, elevated levels of gaseous pollutant and aerosols, and street canyon winds. The report examines how this information could benefit users such as municipal and public safety officials, local utility companies, public and private service providers, urban planners, transportation officials, public health officials, and emergency responders.

Science Academies Issue 'G-Science' Statements to Call World Leaders' Attention to How Science and Technology Can Help Solve Global Challenges

09 May 2012 04:40:14 EST

America's progress in arresting its obesity epidemic has been too slow, says a new Institute of Medicine report that offers a blueprint for comprehensive action.

IOM Report Identifies Key Obesity Prevention Strategies to Scale Back 'Weight of the Nation'

07 May 2012 04:57:24 EST

America's progress in arresting its obesity epidemic has been too slow, says a new Institute of Medicine report that offers a blueprint for comprehensive action.

Report Warns of Rapid Decline in U.S. Earth Observation Capabilities

03 May 2012 02:32:46 EST

A new National Research Council report says that budget shortfalls, cost-estimate growth, launch failures, and changes in mission design and scope have left U.S. earth observation systems in a more precarious position than they were five years ago. The report cautions that the nation's earth observing system is beginning a rapid decline in capability, as long-running missions end and key new missions are delayed, lost, or cancelled.

Creation of a Central Management Plan for Each New Drug Is Among Steps Needed to Strengthen FDA's Oversight of Approved Drugs' Safety

01 May 2012 10:47:58 EST

Problems associated with some drugs that have been approved for the market, such as the pain reliever Vioxx and anti-diabetes drug Avandia, illustrate the need for a more systematic and transparent process to collect, assess, and act on data about a medication's benefit-risk profile throughout its entire "life cycle" from approval until it is no longer marketed, says a new report by the Institute of Medicine. One of the committee's key recommendations is that FDA should create a benefit and risk assessment and management plan for each drug. This would be a single, comprehensive, publicly available document that serves as a central repository of information for each product from its approval throughout its entire time on the market.

Academy Elects New Members, Foreign Associates

01 May 2012 09:41:56 EST

The National Academy of Sciences elected 84 new members and 21 foreign associates from 15 countries in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors that can be accorded a U.S. scientist or engineer.

NAS Annual Meeting Begins This Weekend

27 Apr 2012 03:53:51 EST

The National Academy of Sciences will hold its 149th annual meeting from April 28 to May 1 at its recently renovated historic building. During the meeting, the Academy will elect new members, induct members elected in 2011, and present awards recognizing excellence in research or public service.