Climate Change

Climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for a broad range of human and natural systems. Human activities largely determine the evolution of the Earth's climate, which not only impact the next few decades, but the coming centuries and millennia. This collection emphasizes the importance of 21st century choices regarding long-term climate stabilization through improving understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change and expanding the options available to limit the magnitude of climate change.
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Competitiveness

In a world where advanced knowledge is widespread and low-cost labor is readily available, U.S. advantages in the marketplace and in science and technology have begun to erode. A comprehensive and coordinated federal effort is urgently needed to bolster U.S. competitiveness and pre-eminence in these areas. This collection focuses on recommendations and implementation actions that federal policy-makers should take to create high-quality jobs and focus new science and technology efforts on meeting the nation’s needs. This collection is beneficial for federal and state government agencies and representatives, educators and schools, public decision makers, business leaders, economists, research sponsors, regulatory analysts and scholars.
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Cybersecurity

In a world of increasing dependence on information technology, the prevention of cyberattacks on a nation's important computer and communications system and networks is a problem that looms large. In order to best prevent such attacks, this collection explains the importance of increasing the usability of security technologies, recommends strategies for future research aimed at countering cyberattacks, and considers how information technology systems can be used to not only maximize protection against attacks, but also respond to threats.
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Deepwater Horizon

The U.S. Department of Justice announced a $4 billion settlement between the federal government and BP Exploration and Production, Inc. concerning the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The Department of Justice also announced a second legal settlement where Transocean Deepwater Inc., the operator of the drilling platform, has agreed to pay $1.4 billion in civil and criminal fines to the federal government. As part of the settlement, NAS has been asked by the department to establish a new $350 million, 30-year program on human health and environmental protection in the Gulf of Mexico. The program will be conducted in partnership with the NAE, IOM, and NRC.

The Transocean and BP agreements both recognize that the Gulf program will be conducted solely at our direction, based on scientific merit and integrity with emphasis on freedom of inquiry and independent, nonpartisan advice and recommendations. This collection is comprised of titles that address issues and provide recommendations surrounding the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
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Emergency Preparedness/Disaster Management

The tornado in Joplin, Missouri, the H1N1 pandemic, the tsunami in Japan, and the earthquake in New Zealand have proved that even prepared communities can be overwhelmed in a state of state of emergency. This collection of reports provides guidelines and targeted resources for all stakeholders in a disaster response, including state and local governments, emergency medical services and health care centers. These reports also examine the improvement of emergency services in rural communities and recommends post-disaster public engagement practices.
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Energy

Energy touches our lives in countless ways and its costs are felt when we fill up at the gas pump, pay our home heating bills, and keep our businesses running. Our country faces the challenge of developing an energy portfolio that addresses these concerns while still providing sufficient, affordable energy reserves for the nation. This collection analyzes the potential of a wide range of technologies for generation, distribution, and conservation of energy. These reports are necessary in assessing associated impacts and projected costs of increased energy efficiency, coal-fired power generation, nuclear power, renewable energy, oil and natural gas, and alternative transportation fuels.
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Ethical Foundations of Science

The scientific research enterprise is built on a foundation of trust. Scientists trust that the results reported by others are valid and society trusts that the results of research reflect an honest attempt to describe the world with unbiased accuracy. This collection describes the ethical foundations of scientific practices and some of the personal and professional issues that researchers encounter in their works, as well as recommends the appropriate training in the management of research projects in the digital age. Whether in an academic, industrial, or government setting, this collection applies to all forms of research.
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Evolution

How did life evolve on Earth? The answer can help us understand our past and prepare for our future. This collection documents the overwhelming evidence in support of biological evolution, stresses the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem management, and evaluates the alternative perspectives offered by various kinds of creationism. These reports also focus on how science and religion can be viewed as different ways of understanding the world, rather than as frameworks that are in conflict with each other. For educators, students, teachers, community leaders, legislators, policy makers, and parents who seek to better understand all aspects of evolutionary science, this collection is an essential resource.
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Higher Education

In order for the United States to maintain the global leadership and competitiveness in science and technology that are critical to achieving national goals, we must invest in research, encourage innovation, and grow a strong and talented science and technology workforce. This collection offers a comprehensive road map for increasing involvement of underrepresented minorities and improving the quality of their education, as well as eliminating gender bias in academia and recruiting women students and faculty in science and engineering.
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Infectious Disease

A quarter of deaths worldwide are caused by infectious organisms. As new infectious diseases are continuing to emerge in new locations around the globe, it is essential society understands the environmental, human health, and ecological impacts cause by infectious diseases. This collection provides an overview of infectious disease, including the biology, history, the future trends of widespread and harmful infections, and what we need to do individually, and as a society, to address this growing global challenge.
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Mathematics

The mathematical sciences are part of everyday life. Modern communication, transportation, science, engineering, technology, medicine, manufacturing, security, and finance all depend on the mathematical sciences. This collection of books is geared towards general readers who would like to know more about how the mathematical sciences contribute to modern life and advance discovery, biology, code, math learning in the classroom, and more.
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Obesity Prevention

Nearly 34 Percent of U.S. adults and 17 percent of U.S. children are obese. Those living with obesity have increased risks of disability, disease, and premature death, as well as substantial health, economic, and social costs. This collection presents a fresh perspective about the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to the growing obesity epidemic by recommending obesity prevention actions, programs, and policies.
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Space Exploration and Weather

Since a human first stepped foot on the moon four decades ago, great strides have been made in understanding what is required to support an enduring presence in space. These reports will enable the U.S. space program to deliver on new exploration initiatives, excite the public, and address the questions of space weather risk assessment and management. This collection develops a forward-looking portfolio of research that will provide the basis for recapturing the value of human spaceflight and once again place the United States at the forefront of space exploration for the global good.
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STEM Education

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are cultural achievements that reflect our humanity, power our economy, and constitute fundamental aspects of our lives that contribute to our nation's competitiveness. This collection considers difference school models of STEM education, highlights research on effective STEM education practices, and identifies conditions that promote and limit school success in STEM. These reports are essential for all educators, policy makers, decision makers in school districts, government agencies, curriculum developers, and parent and education advocacy groups.
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Veterans Health

Nearly 1.9 million U.S. troops have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq since October 2001. These service members face serious challenges in readjusting to normal life after returning home, while Gulf War and Vietnam veterans are facing long term health effects from war. This collection presents findings on the most critical challenges, and lays out the blueprint for the second phase of the study to determine how best to meet the needs of returning troops, veterans, and their families.
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