Alex Wild, an insect photographer Behind the lens of an insect photographer Driving Force May 9, 2013 Alex Wild never set out to be a professional photographer. In 2001 he was simply a graduate student researching insects and species classification. He wanted better images to use with talks and presentations, so he bought a simple camera and started taking pictures. This was before the rise of social media so rather than uploading them to Facebook or Instagram, he built a website and started to post his images there. 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. Patricia Brennan Attack on researcher highlights growing need for public education of basic science Capitol Connection May 10, 2013 Researcher Patricia Brennan poses a challenge question: Name one thing that doesn't use fundamental science? You'll be hard pressed to find one thing that we do or use in our modern world that hasn't come from using fundamental science. From the clothes we wear, to the food that's undergone millennia of artificial selection to smartphones we're permanently attached to, there is not a single thing that hasn't stemmed from our curiosity and desire to make our world better. With this said, we can plainly see how important fundamental science research is. However, as Brennan encountered, the general public may not understand the value of basic science and it's up to the science community to make sure they do. 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. Rat's long and important whiskers Sniff signals: Rats communicate social status by sniffing Qualia March 25, 2013 Sniffing is a common way for animals to greet each other. Most of us have seen dogs or cats vigorously inspecting a new acquaintance by sniffing, and we assume they're simply smelling each other. But there might be more to these encounters. New research, published March 7 in Current Biology, shows that rats sniff each other to reinforce their social hierarchy and prevent aggressive behavior. gelada monkey family group Cheating monkeys practice deception to conceal infidelity Qualia March 22, 2013 People who cheat on a loved one often try to cover their tracks to avoid discovery. It turns out this type of tactical deception isn't unique to humans. New research documents for the first time how wild gelada monkeys also actively try to conceal their infidelity from dominant males. Biodiversity may protect against spread of disease Biodiversity may protect against spread of disease Qualia March 15, 2013 Biodiversity matters when it comes to susceptibility to disease. A recent study shows a richer assortment of amphibians in a pond means more protection against the spread of a parasite that causes limb deformities. The findings support the long-held theory that biodiversity in an ecosystem dampens the spread of pathogens, and may also apply to diseases that affect humans. 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.
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