http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/
Latest data covering corn, cotton, and soybeans for the 2000 to 2008 period has been added. Chart shows increase in acreage for these crops since 1996. From the Economic Research Service.
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2008008
Details findings from a 2004-05 survey and compares to baseline data from 2002-2003. Reports that 37% of public school districts and 10% of public schools had students enrolled in technology-based distance education courses during 2004-05. From the National Center for Education Statistics.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34546.pdf
Latest report on the state of wind power as an energy source in the U.S. Covers background, wind resources and technology, composition and trends in the wind industry, wind power economics, and wind power controversies. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn309.pdf
Examines the causes, impacts and benefits of migration of scientists and engineers. From the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.
http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap3-3/final-report/default.htm
Warns that heat waves and heavy downpours are very likely to increase in frequency and intensity because of global warming. Also predicts more frequent droughts of greater severity and increase in hurricane wind speeds and storm surge levels for North America. From the U.S. Climate Change Science Program.
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34497_20080520.pdf
Discusses the current debate about whether to create an advanced research projects agency, modeled after a Defense Department counterpart, within the Energy Department to work on transformational energy technology research projects. Examines the arguments for and against and what sources would be available for funding such an agency. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.
http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/dod/jason/human.pdf
Evaluates the potential for adversaries to exploit advances in human performance modification and pose a threat to national security. Considers the current state of pharmaceutical intervention in cognition and brain-computer interfaces. Contractor study from the Department of Defense, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
Updates the 2003 Strategic Plan of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program to reflect scientific advances and the evolving needs of society. Focuses on specific research plans for the 2008-2010 period. From the Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34503.pdf
Provides an overview of current U.S. international science and technology policy and discusses the role of key players in shaping American foreign policy, including the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary of State, the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Agency for International Development. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2008077
Reviews departures from school teaching by science and math teachers over a 16 year period and their reasons for leaving teaching. From the National Center for Education Statistics.
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/91xx/doc9168/05-20-HealthIT.pdf
Some people see information technology as a means for reducing health care costs and improving quality. This paper examines potential costs and benefits, possible barriers to broader use of information technology in hospitals and clinics, and options for promoting health IT by the federal government. From the Congressional Budget Office
