Why all the talk about biodiversity? Is malaria really making a comeback? Just what are computer viruses? Many Americans are confused about these and other issues involving science, technology, and health care. But they lack the time or technical background to read scientific reports. Headline News, Science Views II provides short, readable answers directly from the experts. Leading scientists, engineers, and others discuss today's issues in language that is understandable and compellingâ€"without jargon. This engaging book "can be warmly recommended to card-carrying scientists and laypeople alike," New Scientist wrote about the first edition of Headline News, Science Views. "Try the opening items and say goodbye to your next couple of hours." Now, in a completely new edition packed with 75 engaging articles, Headline News, Science Views II probes further into scientific issues behind today's headlines, issues like highway safety, global warming, industrial competitiveness, and women's health. Experts on these and other topics discuss where the problems lie and how to fix them. The essays originally were distributed by the National Academy Op-Ed Service and published in more than 250 newspapers. Many are tied to studies of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council. Together, they make ground-breaking scientific achievement accessible, fascinatingâ€"and fun.

This report, developed by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), is intended to provide the Congress of the United States, during its deliberation on the creation of a new Department of Education, with a range of options for dealing with science and technology educational issues. It consists of two chapters. The first chapter includes potential long-term impacts, both positive and negative, of the proposed Department of Education on three key science and technology-related areas. These are the programs of the National Science Foundation's Science Education Directorate, general support programs for graduate science and engineering training across the country, and educational analysis and research which should be the responsibility of an appropriate Federal agency. Key criteria to be utilized in these evaluations are presented for the use of congressional committees. Specific options dealing with these science education activities are also presented. The second chapter presents an analysis of the effects of the establishment of the proposed Department of Education on science and technology activities of the federal government. An appendix including a bill to establish a Department of Education and for other purposes is also presented at the end of this publication.