Books by National Research Council

In making decisions about human activities, such as draining a wetland for a housing development, it is essential to consider both the value of the development and the value of the ecosystem services that could be lost. This report identifies methods for assigning economic value to ecosystem services even for the intangible ones.

The genomes of thousands of organisms have been sequenced or partially sequenced and deposited in databases accessible to scientists. Based in part on views from working biological scientists, this report concludes that policies that allow scientists and the public unrestricted access to genome data on microbial pathogens should not be changed.

Explores whether there are core pedagogical and skill-based homeland security program needs. This report examines education programs focusing on various aspects of homeland security. It comments on the possible parallels between homeland security, area studies, international relations, and science policy, as developed or emerging academic thrusts.

In December 2002, a group of specialists on water resources from the United States and Iran met in Tunis, Tunisia, for an interacademy workshop on water resources management, conservation, and recycling. This report includes the agenda for the workshop, the papers that were presented, and the list of site visits.

Methane hydrate is a natural form of clathrate - a chemical substance in which one molecule forms a lattice around a 'guest' molecule with chemical bonding. This report reviews the Department of Energy's (DOE) Methane Hydrate Research and Development Program, the project selection process, and projects funded to date.

Describes 64 inbred, hybrid, and mutant strains of rodents, each with some immune defect. This book explains mechanisms for ensuring genetic purity and provides a standardized nomenclature for different varieties. It summarizes and provides references on the genetics, pathophysiology, husbandry, and reproduction of the various strains.

The glassy-winged sharpshooter is one of the invasive pests to afflict California agriculture. This report recommends strengthening the process and the priorities for research funded by state agencies and wine industry groups to address Pierce's disease and its vector.

Outlines a national strategy for aquatic restoration, with practical recommendations, and features case studies of aquatic restoration activities around the country. This volume examines the prospects for repairing the damage society has done to the nation's aquatic resources: lakes, rivers and streams, and wetlands.

Considers possible explanations for racial and ethnic health differentials within an integrated framework. This book recommends looking at health differentials across the life course and deciphering the links between factors presumably producing differentials and biopsychosocial mechanisms that lead to impaired health.

Presents an assessment of mass spectrometry for enhanced trace detection (ETD) of chemicals contained in explosives. This report describes limitations of trace detection in technologies. It offers a discussion of the potential for mass spectrometry to improve EDT including challenges faced by such a system.

In Africa many of the refugee flows in have had a strong ethnic dimension; interethnic conflict or conflict between politically powerful groups with minority populations. This report focuses on the experience of a single persecuted population whose sociopolitical history, with their underlying marital and fertility regimes, responses to conflict.

US Navy personnel in submarines are in an enclosed and isolated environment for days or weeks at a time when at sea. This work presents a review of the National Research Council. It finds there is little data available and feels monitoring would provide a complete analysis of submarine air and data on exposure of personnel to contaminants.

Due to the combination of improved treatments and the benefits of mammography screening, breast cancer mortality has decreased steadily since 1989. Building on the 2001 report "Mammography and Beyond", this book examines ways to improve implementation and use of breast cancer detection technologies.

To help define and systematize the universal aspects of the field of space physics, the National Research Council was asked by NASA's Office of Space Science to provide a scientific assessment and strategy for the study of magnetized plasmas in the solar system. This report presents that assessment.

From warning the public of impending floods to settling legal arguments over water rights, the measurement of streamflow ('streamgaging') plays a vital role in our society. This book sees the ultimate goal of NSIP as developing the ability to use existing data-gathering sites to generate streamflow information.

Assists policymakers in evaluating the scientific methods for detecting unintended changes in food and assessing the potential for adverse health effects from genetically modified products. This work feels that scrutiny should be given to foods containing new compounds or unusual amounts of substances and of the method used to create them.

Spatial thinking - a constructive combination of concepts of space, tools of representation, and processes of reasoning - uses space to structure problems, find answers, and express solutions. This book examines how spatial thinking might be incorporated into existing standards-based instruction across the school curriculum.

A report that presents the summary of a workshop held in May 2003 by the Space Studies Board's Committee on Solar and Space Physics to synthesize understanding of the physics of the outer heliosphere and the critical role played by the local interstellar medium (LISM) and to identify directions for the further exploration of this environment.

In 1997, the Congress directed the NRC to carry out a series of assessments of project management at the Department of Energy (DOE). The final part of that series, this report presents an examination of DOE's progress in improving program management, including the Department's response to recommendations of the previous assessments in the series.

Assesses issues related to animal management, husbandry, health, and care at the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park. The report finds that there are shortcomings in care and management that are threatening the well-being of the animal collection and identifies the "most pressing" issues that should be addressed.