Science Education & Policy

While California has basic tracking system architecture in place to allow the state’s educators to closely follow the progress of students from kindergarten to post-secondary education, officials must overcome political and financial barriers, according to a RAND Corporation study issued today. The study shows that by developing such a data system -- known as a “student unit record” data system -- California policymakers and educators will be better equipped to create policies and adopt changes that decrease student dropout rates, encourage a smoother transition from secondary to post-…

A more attractive dollar, better undergraduate science education in other countries and more common-sense application and approval rates for U.S. student visas has resulted in a 16 percent enrollment of first-time, full-time foreign graduate students on temporary visas studying science and engineering (S&E). The increases in the past two years reflect a reversal of the declines in enrollments of new foreign S&E graduate students experienced after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. "The numbers indicate a rebound of first-time, full-time foreign S&E…

The authors of a new book, "Natural Security: A Darwinian Approach to a Dangerous World", say lessons learned from Mother Nature help protect us from terror threats -- if governments are willing to think outside the box. “Biological organisms have figured out millions of ways, over three and a half billion years of evolution, to keep themselves safe from a vast array of threats,” said Raphael Sagarin, a Duke University ecologist who co-edited the book with Terence Taylor, an international security expert. “Arms races among invertebrates, intelligence gathering by the immune system and alarm…

TEL AVIV, Israel, January 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanford Venture Capital Holdings has announced it has committed to invest US$10 million in AquAgro Fund L.P., a venture capital fund formed to focus on Israel's innovative water, agriculture and clean-tech technology businesses. AquAgro Fund aims to generate substantial long-term capital appreciation through private equity and equity-related investments in high-potential Israeli companies. The fund invests primarily in the water-related technology field, which encompasses desalination, filtering, water recycling, computerized irrigation…

NEW YORK, January 28 /PRNewswire/ -- - Landmark Worldwide Survey of Leading Plastic Surgeons - Jolie, Kidman, Anderson, Loren, Bundchen, Pitt, and Clooney Favored We hear it every day, "Oh, I wish I could look like Angelina." Or, "Oh, to have Brad's abs -- I'd do anything." With increasing availability of aesthetic plastic surgery, ongoing improvement and refinements in procedures, and numerous payment plans available, some of these wishes are coming true. But do the celebrity images that overwhelm popular media have any influence on the decisions people make about their plastic surgery…

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, January 27 /PRNewswire/ -- - New research shows Microsoft-related businesses make more than US$15 for every US$1 Microsoft earns. Today at the Government Leaders Forum-Arabia in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates highlighted the transformative power of education and the critical role public-private partnerships and information and communication technology (ICT) play to create a strong, vibrant economy across the region. During his keynote address, Gates announced a partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Foundation to enhance…

The new Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children’s Hospital announced that it will implement the nation’s first major “cocoon strategy” vaccination program to protect newborn infants from the life-threatening infection pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough. Whooping cough is a highly-contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory system. While the disease can occur at any age, whooping cough can be particularly serious and even life-threatening to very young infants. Recent statistics show that whooping cough is on the rise again. According to the Centers for…

GENEVA, January 24 /PRNewswire/ -- - Effort Focuses on Dangers of Parental Smoking in Homes and Cars It's a staggering statistic: 700 million children - almost half of the world's youth - breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke. People who smoke in confined spaces like the home or the car subject others to a dangerous mix of toxins including nicotine, carbon monoxide, and cyanide, even when the windows are open. Second-hand smoke exposes children to chronic health risks: -- Increases a baby's risk of dying suddenly from unexplained causes -- Contributes to low birth weight in newborns and…

Old people generally mellow with age. They are less likely to be confrontational and more likely to reflect on the world. They are also more likely to have families they care about and thus something to lose. That goes for terrorists also, according to a new theory by Mark Haas of Duquesne University in the latest Public Policy & Aging Report (PP&AR). It says several hotbed areas in the world that offer the motive and opportunity for political violence are due to stabilize by the year 2030 because current young people will be old. Countries such as Iraq, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia…

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina, January 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Quintiles Transnational Corp. today announced the completion of its previously announced new investor partnership to support the company's continued growth under the leadership of founder and current Chairman and CEO Dennis Gillings, CBE, and the management team. Gillings and global private investment firms Bain Capital and TPG Capital have become the lead investors in Quintiles, with 3i also becoming a significant investor. Temasek Holdings remains an investor in Quintiles. As part of the transaction, One Equity Partners,…