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Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade Could Worsen Reproductive Health in U.S., Exacerbate Health Inequities

In a statement, National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt and National Academy of Medicine President Victor J. Dzau said that the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade “will likely make it even more difficult for women to access high-quality health care in this country.”




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Winners Selected for the 2021-2022 TRB Airport Cooperative Research Program University Design Competition for Addressing Airport Needs

The Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has selected winners for its annual University Design Competition for Addressing Airport Needs. Now in its 16th year, the prestigious competition encourages students to design innovative and practical solutions to challenges at airports.




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Gulf Research Program Launches Initiative to Improve Sea Level Rise Predictions in the Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced $4.6 million in awards to support three project teams undertaking research to improve the forecasting of sea level rise along the Gulf Coast of the United States.




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Growing the Impacts of Climate-Smart Agriculture

A range of ‘climate-smart’ farming practices have the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and help sequester carbon dioxide emitted by other parts of the economy. A recent webinar explored how to expand use of these practices.




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New Report Calls for Expanded PFAS Testing for People With History of Elevated Exposure, Offers Advice for Clinical Treatment

Testing for exposure to PFAS — chemicals used in a broad range of consumer products for decades — should be offered to patients who are likely to have a history of elevated exposure. A new report provides advice to the CDC on how clinicians can interpret test results and deliver follow-up care.




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EPA Should Conduct Ecological Risk Assessment of UV Filters Found in Sunscreen to Understand Their Impact on Aquatic Environments, Says New Report

EPA should conduct an ecological risk assessment of ultraviolet filters used in sunscreens, given the evidence that aquatic ecosystems in the U.S. and possibly endangered species are exposed to these UV filters, and given the importance of these ingredients in skin cancer prevention.




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Gulf Research Program Announces Grant Awards for Two HBCUs for Research on the Social Determinants of Health in At-Risk Gulf Communities

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced $200,000 in planning grant awards for two historically Black universities as part of a partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to understand how data on social determinants of health can transform public health data systems in the Gulf of Mexico region.




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We Stand Ready to Put Landmark Legislation into Action, Say National Academies’ Presidents

Historic legislation has been enacted to boost U.S. competitiveness and security, spur innovation, and make real progress on climate change and human health, said the National Academies’ presidents in a statement. “The National Academies stand ready to mobilize the broader science, engineering, and medical and health communities to help inform and implement solutions.”




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‘A Marathon, Not a Sprint’ — How Can Cities Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Also Improve Mobility?

Emission reduction goals, changing transportation patterns caused by COVID, an influx of infrastructure investments, and the need to support mobility for all residents together present a challenge for planners. A recent webinar explored how cities can support a transition to more equitable, lower-emissions urban transportation systems.




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National Academies’ Gulf Research Program Announces 2022 Cohort of Science Policy Fellows

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced the four recipients of its 2022 Science Policy Fellowship.




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GRP Awards Over $1 Million for Empowering K-8 Youth Through Place-Based Education Projects and Programs

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced awards totaling $1,090,463 to support six projects that engage underserved children and youth in place-based educational activities.




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Potential Effects of Operating a Terrestrial Radio Network Near GPS Frequency Bands Assessed by New Report

The radio frequency spectrum is a natural resource that underpins all wireless activity. A new report assesses the likelihood of harmful interference from operating a radio network near GPS frequency bands, and considers approaches for evaluating concerns.




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The Gulf Research Program Announces Support for Regionally Focused Architectural Studio Design Courses at Five Universities

The Gulf Research Program is providing awards totaling nearly $900K to five universities for the creation of interdisciplinary architectural studio design courses that engage with the unique features of the Gulf of Mexico region, such as offshore energy safety, environmental protection and stewardship, and Gulf health and resilience.




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Maintaining U.S. Global Leadership in Science and Technology Requires Greater Focus on Strengthening Innovation, Not Solely on Restricting Access to Specific Technologies

To maintain U.S. global leadership in science and technology, federal agencies should pursue a coordinated risk-management approach that protects the United States’ own capacity to innovate, rather than emphasizing the protection of specific technologies from access by competitor nations.




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Eliminating Poverty for a Cooler Planet

In a new article, NAE members Robin Podmore and Anjan Bose make the case that engineers and businesspeople working or volunteering for professional associations and other organizations can have a significant impact on alleviating global poverty while creating a cooler planet.




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Coeur d’Alene Lake Recovering After Century of Mining, Not Currently at Risk of Anoxia, Says New Report

Coeur d’Alene Lake in northern Idaho is beginning to recover from nearly a century of mining in its watershed. A new report finds metal concentrations are slowly declining and the lake is not currently at risk of anoxia.




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As COP27 Approaches, Report Recommends New Global Emissions Information Clearinghouse, Steps to Improve Accuracy and Usability of Information

As the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP27) approaches, a new report recommends steps to improve the accuracy and usability of greenhouse gas emissions information for decision-makers, including creating a global information clearinghouse.




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Exploring Sanctions and Early Interventions for Faculty Sexual Harassment in Higher Education

This perspective paper is a product of the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. It is intended to identify and discuss a topic in need of research.




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National Academies Announce Inaugural Recipients of Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications

The 24 inaugural recipients of the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communication have been announced. Given by the National Academies in partnership with Schmidt Futures, the awards recognize science journalists and research scientists who have developed creative, original work about issues and advances in science, engineering, and medicine.




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Advising the Nation After Roe v. Wade - Cascading Impacts on Women’s Health, Family Well-Being, and Society

For decades the National Academies have provided objective, expert advice to help the nation understand issues related to maternal and reproductive health, unintended pregnancy, prenatal care, racial and ethnic disparities in health care, and abortion.




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VA Should Focus its Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry on Communications and Improving Health Care

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry should be optimized to be a user-friendly resource and focus on improving health care quality and access for veterans and providing two-way communication between veterans who participate and the VA.




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Current EPA Framework Effective for Evaluating Scientific Evidence Used in Setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards, Says New Report

The EPA’s current framework for evaluating the scientific evidence used to set national air quality standards is effective, reliable, and scientifically defensible, according to a new National Academies report.




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Gulf Research Program Awards $3.4 Million To Reduce the Burden of Disaster-Related Mental Health Consequences

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced awards totaling $3.4 million to support four projects that reduce the burden of disaster-related mental health consequences with a focus on acute disasters.




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Engineering and the Diversity Imperative - The 15th Grand Challenge

Engineering impacts everyone. Diversifying the field is imperative if we want to build on engineering’s legacy of extraordinary impact.




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Victoria Sheehan Named New Executive Director of Transportation Research Board at National Academies

Following a national search, Victoria Sheehan will join the National Academies on Dec. 5 as the new executive director of the Transportation Research Board. Sheehan comes to the organization from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, which she has led as its commissioner for the past seven years.




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To Improve Methods for Estimating the Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Low-Carbon Transportation Fuels, More Research and Focused Verification of Emissions Needed

Life cycle assessments of low-carbon transportation fuels — such as electricity, biofuels, or hydrogen — are valuable tools for measuring environmental impacts, but uncertainties remain in the models that are currently used, and further research should be conducted to strengthen their reliability.




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Charting a Course to Advance U.S. Innovation

At a recent symposium, leaders of U.S. academic and government research institutions, policymakers, the private sector, and philanthropy came together to explore the future of science and discuss the transformations that will be needed to address complex and global challenges such as pandemics.




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Scientific Organizations Form International Group to Advance Ukrainian Science and Support Researchers - Breakthrough Prize Foundation Provides $3 Million

With a $3 million donation from the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, a high-level, international coordinating group of scientific organizations has been established to take concrete steps to support Ukraine’s scientists and research community with the aim of rebuilding a successful global science and innovation system in Ukraine.




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Gulf Research Program Awards $1M in Planning Grants to Support Nature-Based Solutions

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced awards totaling $997,523 to support 10 projects that will engage communities in co-developing full proposals to advance nature-based solutions to mitigate climate-related hazards.




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Virginia Regulations Should Be Updated to Protect Against Potential Environmental and Health Impacts of Gold Mining, Says New Report

With renewed attention on mining gold at both new and historical sites in Virginia, the state’s regulations and practices should be updated to protect against the potential environmental and health impacts of gold mining — though the risk of adverse impacts cannot be eliminated completely, says a new report.




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To Improve Research Collaboration Among Land-Grant Universities, Congress Should Facilitate Participation of Historically Black and Tribal Colleges and Universities, Says New Report

Congress should take action to facilitate the participation of all land-grant colleges and universities in multistate research projects, says a new report. Funding disparities have prevented many historically Black and tribal colleges and universities from fully collaborating with other land-grant institutions.




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A Message from the Presidents of the U.S. National Academies as COP27 Begins in Egypt

As the COP27 climate summit begins, the National Academies’ presidents urge world leaders to forge equitable solutions to the climate crisis. “[W]e are committed to enlisting science, engineering, and medicine to inform these efforts so that together, we can create a more secure, more sustainable, and more prosperous future for all.”




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Participants in the Gulf Scholars Program Gather for the First Time to Share Ideas and Make Connections

Nearly 100 students, faculty, and other experts recently gathered online for the first-ever Fall Forum of the Gulf Scholars Program, a pilot program of the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program aimed at preparing undergraduate students to address environmental, health, energy, and infrastructure challenges in the Gulf of Mexico region.




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New Report Identifies Action Steps and Research to Accelerate Progress on Sustainable Development Goals

A new report identifies research and possible action steps that governments, nongovernmental and philanthropic organizations, universities, and the private sector can take to operationalize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.




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Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing to Take Place in London March 6-8, 2023

Registration is now open for the Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing, to be held March 6-8, 2023, in London. The three-day summit is being organized by the Royal Society and U.K. Academy of Medical Sciences, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine, and the World Academy of Sciences.




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U.S. NAS President Marcia McNutt Receives Honorary Doctorate from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for her “significant contributions to the development of science and international scientific collaboration.”




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Industry and Government Should Begin Planning Carbon Dioxide Utilization in Circular Economy, Says New Report

As part of the shift to a net-zero carbon emissions economy, industry and government should begin planning for the deployment of carbon dioxide utilization systems to turn captured CO2 into useful products, such as aviation fuel and aggregates for construction.




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Eight Winners Selected for the TRB Airport Cooperative Research Program Graduate Research Awards

The Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has announced the winners of its annual Graduate Research Awards. The prestigious awards focus on applied research on airport and related aviation system issues to help the public sector continue to improve the quality, reliability, safety, and security of the U.S. civil aviation system.




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Strengthening Talent for National Defense - Infusing Advanced Manufacturing in Engineering Education – New Report

Advanced manufacturing brings the potential for positive transformational change to a variety of areas, including the defense industry. It is essential that universities, companies, and the government take steps to better prepare the next generation of engineers to work with these emerging technologies.




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National Academies Reports Featured at AGU Fall Meeting

The American Geophysical Union’s 2022 fall meeting, taking place Dec. 12-16, features several presentations from National Academies staff and experts on recent reports and ongoing studies on the environment, climate change, higher education, and space.




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Insurance for a Changing Climate

Among the many facets of the economy being challenged by warming global temperatures is the insurance industry. As damaging extreme events increase in frequency and intensity, insurance companies face larger financial risks and costs, and policy holders face higher premiums. A webinar explored how industry, policymakers, and consumers are responding.




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Taliban’s Ban on Education for Afghan Women and Girls Will Have Potentially Disastrous Consequences, Say U.S. National Academies Presidents

The presidents of the U.S. National Academies warn that the Taliban’s decision to prevent Afghan women and girls from participating in higher education or attending secondary school ignores the scientific evidence on the benefits of education for women and could have “potentially disastrous consequences” for the future of Afghanistan.




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New Report Proposes Criteria the Department of Defense Could Use to Determine Whether a College or University that Hosts a Confucius Institute May Receive DOD Funding

Confucius Institutes are Chinese government-funded language and culture centers located worldwide. A new report proposes a set of criteria for the U.S. Department of Defense to consider in developing a waiver process that would potentially allow U.S. institutions of higher education to receive DOD funding while hosting a Confucius Institute.




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Gulf Research Program Announces Early-Career Research Fellows in Offshore Energy Safety and Education Research

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced today its 2022-2024 cohorts of Early-Career Research Fellows in the Offshore Energy Safety and Education Research tracks.




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Secretaries of Energy and Transportation Discuss Getting to ‘Net-Zero’ in U.S. Transportation During TRB’s 2023 Annual Meeting

Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took the stage at the 2023 annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board to discuss the federal government’s plan to reach “net-zero” carbon emissions in the U.S. transportation sector by 2050.




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National Wastewater Surveillance for Infectious Diseases Worthy of Further Investment, Says New

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance has provided advance indications of community-level outbreaks, sometimes weeks before other indicators. A new report says that wastewater surveillance is worthy of investment and outlines a vision for the future of a national system.




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National Academies’ Roundtable on Macroeconomics and Climate-Related Risks and Opportunities to Hold First Public Meeting on Jan. 23

A new roundtable will hold its first public meeting on Jan. 23 to discuss challenges associated with incorporating climate change into the macroeconomic analyses used for federal policymaking. The roundtable’s activities will inform a new White House interagency working group.




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Supply of Native Seeds Insufficient to Meet the Needs of Current and Future Ecological Restoration Projects, Says New Report

The insufficient supply of seeds from native plants is a major barrier to ecological restoration and other revegetation projects across the U.S., especially as climate change increases the possibility of extreme weather events that can damage natural areas.




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Nobel Prize Summit on Countering Misinformation and Building Trust in Science To Be Held May 24-26

Nobel Prize laureates and other esteemed experts and leaders will gather at “Truth, Trust and Hope” for a global dialogue on how to stop misinformation from eroding public trust in science. Hosted by NAS and the Nobel Foundation, the summit takes place May 24-26 in Washington, D.C., and virtually.




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Deficient Facilities Adversely Affect National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Mission, With Economic, National Security, and Safety Impacts, Says New Report

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s facilities should be modernized to ensure that the agency can continue to deliver measurement science and standards that advance U.S. innovation and competitiveness on national technology priorities. Substandard facilities brought about through lack of investment have created ongoing problems that affect research.