National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Engineering
Institute of Medicine
National Research Council

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

May 14 -- 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

May 14 -- 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

May 11 -- 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

May 10 -- 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

May 9 -- 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.