Winners of 2013 AAAS Student Poster Competition Tuesday, April 30, 2013 The 2013 Student Poster Competition took place at the AAAS Annual Meeting In Boston February 14-18. The student winners' work displayed originality and understanding that set them apart from their peers. The AAAS Poster Sessions provide individuals with an opportunity to present their research, offering an excellent venue for extended informal discussion with meeting attendees. All posters are peer-reviewed, and accepted posters are listed in the AAAS Annual Meeting Poster Book. Abstracts appear on the Annual Meeting Abstract CD, within the Program Book. Patenting genes: How much science must judges know to decide legality? Patenting genes: How much science must judges know to decide legality? Capitol Connection May 8, 2013 In April, the Supreme Court of the United States decided to hear arguments regarding the patentability of genes. The argument was brought forth specifically because the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are of considerable interest to breast cancer researchers, have been patented by a company called Myriad Genetics Inc. In the opening argument, Mr. Christopher Hansen, who is arguing on behalf of petitioners said, “One way to address the question presented by this case is what exactly did Myriad invent? And the answer is nothing” -- in reference to their claim on the patents of the BRCA genes. The core of the argument can be boiled down to this: Is what Myriad patented something that occurs naturally or is it something that does not occur in natural form? The other discoverers of DNA The other discoverers of DNA Scientia April 25, 2013 Sixty years ago, James Watson and Francis Crick formally announced they had discovered "the secret of life"— the double helix that forms DNA, the molecule containing the genetic instructions for all living organisms. Although Watson and Crick are credited with this discovery, their research stands on the shoulders of others who came before them. OSTP seeks nominations for presidential mentoring award OSTP seeks nominations for presidential mentoring award Capitol Connection April 8, 2013 The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are now accepting nominations for PAESMEM, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. OSTP/NSF seeks individuals and organizations that have demonstrated at least five years of excellence in mentoring students, trainees, and/or early career scientists and engineers from groups that are underrepresented in STEM. Marcia McNutt appointed new Editor-in-Chief of Science Marcia McNutt appointed new Editor-in-Chief of Science Tuesday, April 2, 2013 Marcia McNutt, most recently Director of the US Geological Survey, has been appointed the new, full-time Editor-in-Chief of Science. She will begin her tenure at Science on June 1. McNutt will take over the position from Bruce Alberts who decided to step down at the end of his five-year term. Scott Edwards Scott Edwards job is for the birds Member Spotlight March 19, 2013 Even on a bitterly cold morning like this, birds on the grounds of Harvard University are making a ruckus. Even through the thick stone walls and narrow windows of the basement offices of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, squawks and chirps are clearly audible. In the main room of the museum’s ornithology collection, however, the birds are much quieter. VIDEO: Cynthia Kenyon on aging and biology Video February 19, 2013 Discovery that a single-gene mutation could double the lifespan of the worm C. elegans sparked an intensive study of the molecular biology of aging. Kenyon was apart of the team that made this discovery. Her findings have since led to the discovery that an evolutionarily conserved hormone signaling system controls aging in other organisms as well, including mammals. She highlights her work and what the future holds as we seek to unlock the secrets of aging. Learn more abou this speaker VIDEO: 2013 AAAS Annual Meeting reception Video February 15, 2013 Find out what attendees are looking forward to at this year's meeting in Boston. Related Links: AAASMC's complete video coverage from the 2013 Annual Meeting in Boston VIDEO: 2013 Annual Meeting: The president's address Video February 15, 2013 AAAS President William Press, researcher in computer science, genomics, statistical methods, astrophysics, and international security, welcomes attendees to Boston. This year's AAAS Annual Meeting highlights the rich and complicated connections between basic and applied research, and how they bring about both practical benefits and the beauty of pure understanding. Read more about Press's keynote. Toxicological impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico Looking for signs of lasting toxicity after Gulf oil spill Member Spotlight February 14, 2013 John Pierce Wise Sr. is investigating the toxicological impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Massive amounts of chemical dispersants were added to the crude oil in an attempt to protect inshore lands and waters. At this year's AAAS Annual Meeting, Wise will present his initial findings on the toxicity of the dispersants and oil still present in offshore Gulf waters.
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