Books by National Research Council

Aging is a process that encompasses virtually all aspects of life. This work looks at the behavioral and socio-economic aspects of aging; and focuses on work, retirement, and pensions; wealth and savings behavior; health and disability; intergenerational transfers; and concepts of well-being.

We are at a special moment in our journey to understand the universe and the physical laws that govern it. In this text, the Committee on the Physics of the Universe has posed 11 questions that encapsulate the most pressing physics issues that we face.

Presents the results of studies of hazardous wastes in the air, water, soil, and food, and examines the potential of biological markers in health risk assessment. This volume is of interest to toxicologists, environmental health professionals, epidemiologists, and other biologists.

Explores the mortality patterns in humanitarian emergencies of forced migration, by examining four recent case studies: Rwanda, North Korea, Kosovo and Cambodia. The text highlights the need for research in this field.

Disposition of radioactive wastes in a deep geological repository is a sound approach if it progresses through a stepwise decision-making process. This book, written for concerned citizens as well as policymakers, is sponsored by the US Department of Energy, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and waste management organizations in 8 other countries.

Evaluate how marine protected areas can be employed to support specific conservation needs of marine and coastal waters. This work compares conventional management of marine resources with proposals to augment these management strategies with a system of protected areas. It argues that implementation of MPAs should be incremental and adaptive.

Examines the scientific basis for connecting musculoskeletal disorders with the workplace, considering people, job tasks, and work environments. This work draws conclusions about the likelihood of causal links and the effectiveness of intervention strategies. It offers recommendations for what actions can be considered on the basis of information.

The Mathematics Teacher Preparation Content Workshop activities focused on using actual acts of teaching such as examining student work, designing tasks, or posing questions, as a medium for teacher learning. This work is a collection of the papers presented, the activities, and plenary sessions that took place.

A study of the status and future of marine biotechnology. It addresses the question of where the federal government should invest its limited funds and what future initiatives should be planned.

A summary of a symposium on careers of women in science. This work incorporates 3 panels of presenters: one focusing on the next generation; a second that looks at the issues reflected in one particular field of science; and a third that focuses on strategies and policies to recruit and promote career advancement for women scientists.

Discusses the issue of digital information and networks challenging core practices of all organizations with intensive information management needs. This text also provides recommendations for moving forward at the Libary of Congress, the world's largest library.

Discusses the link between basic research and societal needs, and how improvements in technology have provided opportunities for observing the processes of present-day Earth. This text examines six main areas in which the opportunities for research are especially complelling.

The Helium Privatization Act of 1996 (PL 104-273) directs the Department of the Interior to begin liquidating the US Federal Helium Reserve by 2005 in a manner consistent with "minimum market disruption" and at a price given by a formula specified in the act. This report is the product of that mandate.

Synthesizes what we know about the quality of math and science teaching, drawing conclusions about why teacher preparation needs reform, and then outlining recommendations for accomplishing several important goals before us. This book also reviews Professional Development Schools.

Offers recommendations for the programs in astronomy and astrophysics, including initiatives for observing the universe. With the goal of optimum value, in this book, a distinguished panel addresses the role of federal research agencies, allocation of funding, training for scientists, and competition and collaboration among space facilities.

An accompanying volume to the National Science Education Standards. Focusing on the teacher as the primary player in assessment, this book offers assessment guidelines and explores how they can be adapted to the individual classroom. It features examples, definitions, illustrative vignettes, and practical suggestions to help teachers.

Operational needs, such as weather forecasting, add a distinct set of requirements for continual and highly reliable monitoring of global conditions. This book confronts these diverse requirements and assesses how they might be met by small satellites.

States that US Air Force (USAF) planners have envisioned that uninhabited air vehicles (UAVs), working in concert with inhabited vehicles, will become an integral part of the future force structure. This title also states that plans are based on the premise that UAVs have the potential to augment, or even replace, inhabited aircraft in missions.

The International Space Station (ISS) is truly an international undertaking. The project is being led by the United States, with the participation of Japan, the European Space Agency, Canada, Italy, Russia, and Brazil. This title offers a study of the engineering challenges posed by longterm operation of the ISS.

In 1997, for the first time commercial launches outnumbered government launches at the Eastern Range (ER), located at Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida. This title discusses whether range safety processes can be made more efficient and less costly without compromising public safety.

Deployment of forces in hostile or unfamiliar environments is inherently risky. This title develops an analytical framework for assessing risks, which would encompass the risks of adversed health effects from battle injuries, including those from chemical- and biological-warfare agents, and non-battle-related health problems.

Sound has become a major tool for studying the ocean. Although the ocean is relatively opaque to light, it is relatively transparent to sound. Sound having frequencies below 1,000 Hertz is often defined as low-frequency sound. The speed of sound is proportional to the temperature of the water through which it passes. This title deals with sound.

Presents recommendations for addressing the various aspects of America's youth crime problem. This book explores desistance - the probability that delinquency or criminal activities decrease with age - and evaluates different approaches to predicting future crime rates.

The 20th Century has been marked by enormous change in terms of how we define race. This volume explores trends among African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Native Americans in the context of a white majority. It presents the findings and analysis on racial and social dynamics, with recommendations for ongoing research.

Presents a comprehensive picture of early childhood learning. This book discusses: evidence for competing theories, models, and approaches in the field and looks at some day-to-day practices and activities used in preschool; the role of the teacher, the importance of peer interactions, and other relationships in the child's life; and more.

Recommends that New York City place its highest priority on pathogenic microorganisms in the watershed and direct its resources toward improving methods for detecting pathogens and understanding pathogen transport and fate. This book also focuses on buffer zones, stormwater management, water quality monitoring, and effluent trading.

Second in a four-part series requested by Congress, this book describes the plans of the committee to monitor the progress of the research on particulate matter conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal and state government agencies. It also reviews the committee's portfolio of recommended research.