Climate models will need to evolve substantially to deliver climate projections at the scale and level of detail desired by decision makers, a new report finds. Despite recent progress in developing climate models, there are still efficiencies to be gained across the U.S. climate modeling community. Evolving to a more unified climate modeling enterprise—in particular by developing a common software infrastructure and holding an annual climate modeling forum— could help speed progress.

A new focus on the field of glycoscience--which explores the structure and function of complex carbohydrate molecules called glycans (also known as saccharides or sugars) promises great advances in medicine, biofuel production, and materials science, a new report finds. The report sets out a roadmap for transforming glycoscience from a field dominated by specialists to a widely studied and integrated discipline. Read a 4-page report-in brief here.

After successfully completing a multibillion-dollar modernization program, the National Weather Service should continue to evolve as it faces new challenges, this report finds. These challenges include keeping pace with advances in science and technology, meeting expanding user needs for weather information, and partnering with an increasingly capable weather, water, and climate enterprise. The report uses lessons learned from the 1990's modernization process to develop guidance on how best to plan, deploy, and oversee future improvements to the National Weather Service.

In recent years, the focus of veterinary medicine has shifted from farm animal health to companion animal care. Now, concerns are growing that this emphasis is directing resources away from veterinary medicine’s other, equally important roles in basic research, public service, food production, and other sectors.

Despite the growing use of nuclear medicine, the potential expansion of nuclear power generation, and the need to protect the nation against nuclear threats, the number of students studying nuclear and radiochemistry has decreased significantly in recent years. Now, with many experts in these topics approaching retirement age, action is needed to avoid a workforce gap. Please submit your questions about the report to the committee chair, Dr. C. Bradley Moore.

Do you have questions about the new Water Reuse report? Visit the online Q & A forum to submit them to the Chair of the report’s authoring committee, Dr. Rhodes Trussell. Dr. Trussell is a recognized authority on methods and criteria for assessing water quality and developing advanced processes for treating wastewater.

The National Research Council released the final report in the America's Climate Choices series on May 12. The new report brings together findings from the four panel reports and emphasizes the need for immediate, substantial action to limit the magnitude of climate change and to prepare for its impacts. In addition to this info on the final report, five videos about the study and its findings are available here.

For even more info on ocean acidification, check out this new website bringing together the division's many related resources. You'll find our booklet, info on the original report, figures for download, and interviews with researchers involved in producing the report.

Restoring the Chesapeake Bay will require efforts to reduce nutrient and sediment inputs–from sources such as agriculture, wastewater, and air pollution–to the Bay watershed.

This report identifies major research questions that will drive ocean science over the next two decades and sets out critical investments in ocean infrastructure -- such as ships, sensors, data systems and supporting facilities -- needed to support ocean research through 2030.

Outbreaks of foodborne illness caused by ground beef have made headlines in the past few years—but it’s likely that many of these illnesses could be avoided by using safe food handling practices. This factsheet explains the dangers of ground beef and outlines how to make sure it is safe to eat.

Reflecting recent scientific developments and new regulations, a new edition of Prudent Practices in the Laboratory provides updated guidelines for the safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals in the laboratory. Read more in this 4-page report-in-brief.

For many of its reports, the division produces 4-page “briefs” that make it easy to find out about the report’s main findings and conclusions. The Report in Brief series offers the complete set of those briefs for the years 2002-2010.  The sets are being offered FREE  through July 2011.

In March, the Disasters Roundtable hosted a workshop to identify, clarify, and transfer knowledge from the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile to reduce risk in future earthquake disasters. Watch videos and download presentations from that workshop here.

The burning of fossil fuels has ushered in a new epoch, known as the Anthropocene, in which humans will largely determine the future of Earth's climate system. This finding and more in a new, free booklet based on a 2011 report.

It is not possible to reach a definitive conclusion about the origins of the Bacillus anthracis used in the 2001 anthrax mailings based on the available scientific evidence alone, this National Research Council report finds.

This educational resource illuminates biosecurity, the challenge of moving the life sciences forward while reducing the risk that some tools and technologies could also be used to do harm. Request a free booklet.