Articles by Prominent Scientists Featured in 25th Anniversary Issue

DALLAS, June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- What can science and technology
contribute to solving the world's major problems over the next five years?
Quite a lot say 15 prominent scientists writing in a special 25th anniversary
edition of Issues in Science and Technology. The issue opens with a challenge
from President Barack Obama for science to deliver on its potential to enhance
prosperity, security, health and quality of life. Experts from across the
globe respond.

Vaclav Smil on the need for radical departures in U.S. energy policy. The
University of Manitoba professor writes that the dream of a near-term
transformation in the energy system is illusory. Indeed, because of the
massive size and inertial nature of the U.S. energy infrastructure, change
will occur only over decades. The next five years should be long enough to
build a broad consensus on the need to phase out fossil fuels and to begin
reducing per-capita energy use.

Carl Safina on moving to a new era of fisheries management. The prominent
marine scientist writes that ineffectual federal management has resulted in
severely depleted fish stocks that continue to decline. Safina calls for a
policy focused on restoration under which regulatory and management agencies
must move from basing their actions on "how much can we take?" to "how much
must we leave?"

Don Detmer on the arrival of electronic health records (EHRs). After almost
two decades of advocacy, the health care system is finally poised to take full
advantage of information technology to improve quality and efficiency. The
University of Virginia professor writes that EHRs will be critical in helping
to foster change at the most basic level in how health professionals do their
work, while also empowering the public and patients to take a more active role
in protecting their health.

Martin Wachs on the developing big gap in transportation funding. Taxes on
motor fuels are no longer adequate to pay for the upkeep and expansion of the
nation's road system, writes the RAND Corporation transportation expert. He
recommends a system of direct user fees based on miles driven to support
transportation activities.

ISSUES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY is the award-winning journal of the National
Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine,
and the University of Texas at Dallas.
www.issues.org

Contact: Sonja Gold 972-883-6325
Kevin Finneran 202-965-5648

SOURCE Issues in Science and Technology

Sonja Gold, +1-972-883-6325, or Kevin Finneran, +1-202-965-5648, both of
Issues in Science and Technology