[DIALOGnews] DIALOG and DISCCRS News July 1, 2004
Susan Weiler
weilercs at whitman.edu
Thu Jul 1 15:18:34 CDT 2004
DIALOG and Disccrs News
July 1, 2004
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Science News
Check out this section both for news tidbits, and for
examples of how to communicate science to a non-scientist audience
DEEP SEA FISH STOCKS IN CRISIS
from BBC Online
Over-fishing in the north Atlantic is seriously damaging fish stocks, which
are being "mined" at over twice the recommended rate, say conservationists.
Fishing vessels currently catch stocks of blue whiting to feed farmed
salmon.
The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, which fixed the last quota
for blue whiting at 650,000 tons, says fishermen caught 2.3m tons in 2003.
http://snipurl.com/7gi9
STUDY: CLIMATE THREAT TO RICE CROP
from Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -- An average daily temperature increase of 1 degree
Celsius results in a 10 percent reduction in the rice crop, says a study
that shows global warming could be bad news for one of the world's most
important crops.
Increased nighttime temperatures were associated with significant declines
in crop yield at the International Rice Research Institute Farm in the
Philippines, according to a report in Monday's issue of Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences.
Increasing temperatures, thought to be a result of heat trapped by
industrial and other chemicals in the atmosphere, have caused mounting
concern in recent years.
http://snipurl.com/7eky
Arctic Census of Marine Life
FAIRBANKS, Alaska, June 24, 2004 (ENS) - A
multinational partnership of polar scientists is
poised to take an historic census of marine life
in the Arctic Ocean, including the planet's
oldest seawater - a vast, still pool unstirred
for millennia, walled by steep ridges and lidded
with ice.
Experts in biology, geology and physics from the
circumpolar and other nations will use
submersibles, modern sonar detection and
traditional techniques to record and inventory
biodiversity in the Arctic Ocean in anticipation
of additional climatic warming that, if realized,
could remove the ice cap and dramatically alter
aquatic life in the region.
The project is part of the 10 year, $1 billion
Census of Marine Life (CoML), an unprecedented
cooperative initiative involving leading marine
scientists from every world region. The Arctic
CoML has been seeded with a $600,000 grant from
the New York based Alfred P. Sloan Foundation,
announced today.
"The tremendous on-going changes make the effort
to identify the diversity of life in the three
major realms - sea ice, water column and sea
floor - an urgent issue," say researchers Rolf
Gradinger, Russ Hopcroft and Bodil Bluhm of the
University of Alaska-Fairbanks, the project's
headquarters.
International bathymetric chart of the Arctic
Ocean. The dark blue mass at left center is the
Canada Basin. (Map courtesy NOAA)
More than 300 scientists from 53 countries are at
work on the Census, designed to assess the
diversity, distribution and abundance of ocean
life and explain how it changes over time. The
scientists, their institutions and government
agencies are pooling their findings to create a
comprehensive and authoritative portrait of life
in the oceans today, yesterday and tomorrow.
The magnitude of predicted environmental change
on marine life requires long-term monitoring,
crucial to which is the availability of baseline
data. "Species level information is essential to
discussions of climate change, its expressions
and effects," the researchers say.
A particular focus of the Arctic project will be
the Canada Basin, a huge, largely unknown
underwater ice-lidded hole 3,800 meters deep
immediately north of the Yukon Territory and
Alaska. It connects to the Pacific Ocean through
the 70 meter deep Bering Strait, and is sheltered
from the North Atlantic's influence by the narrow
Fram Strait and Lomonossov ridge, which juts up
to within 1,400 metres of the surface.
Many species existing in the extreme frigid
depths of the Canada Basin do not travel to
shallower waters and are thought to have been
there isolated for millions of years. The genetic
characteristics that enable 'extremophile'
species to survive in such an environment are of
interest to science.
Among animals scientists expect to discover are
cephalopods, known to exist around Greenland and
Russia, that the researchers say, "probably occur
in the Canadian Basin although none have yet been
recorded."
"The shelf breaks and the deep-sea basins of the
Arctic Ocean are poorly studied for all taxonomic
groups, with the deep Canadian Basin being the
least known of all," the researchers say. "Given
the Canada Basin's long-time separation with
little exchange to other deep-sea basins, it will
be a particularly interesting area."
They will study life in the three main layers of
the water column - a low-density surface layer,
an intermediate layer which receives warm, salty
water from the Atlantic, and a deep dense layer
formed through convection.
Supercomputer Finds Climate Likely to Heat Up Fast
BOULDER, Colorado, June 24, 2004 (ENS) - A
powerful new supercomputer climate modeling
system at the National Center for Atmospheric
Research (NCAR) has found that global
temperatures may rise more than previous
projections if humans continue to emit large
quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The system, known as the Community Climate System
Model, version 3 (CCSM3) was unveiled Wednesday
in Boulder.
CCSM3 shows that global temperatures could rise
by 2.6 degrees Celsius (4.7 degrees Fahrenheit)
in a hypothetical scenario in which atmospheric
levels of carbon dioxide are suddenly doubled.
That is greater than the two degree Celsius (3.6
degree Fahrenheit) increase that had been
indicated by the previous version of the model.
William Collins, a NCAR scientist who oversaw the
development of the new system, says researchers
have yet to pin down exactly what is making the
model more sensitive to an increased level of
carbon dioxide. But he says the model overall is
"significantly more accurate" than its
predecessor.
"This model makes substantial improvements in
simulating atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial
processes," Collins said. "It has done remarkably
well in reproducing the climate of the last
century, and we're now ready to begin using it to
study the climate of the next century."
CCSM3 is one of the world's leading general
circulation climate models, sophisticated
computer tools that incorporate phenomena ranging
from the effect that volcanic eruptions have on
temperature patterns to the impact of shifting
sea ice on sunlight absorbed by the oceans.
Climate models work by solving mathematical
formulas, which represent the chemical and
physical processes that drive Earth's climate,
for thousands of points in the atmosphere,
oceans, sea ice, and land surface.
CCSM3 is so complex that it requires about three
trillion computer calculations to simulate a
single day of global climate, NCAR explains.
NCAR developed the model in collaboration with
researchers at universities and laboratories
across the country, with funding from the
National Science Foundation, the Department of
Energy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, and the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.
NCAR is sharing the model results and the
underlying computer codes with atmospheric
researchers and other users worldwide.
As scientists learn more about the atmosphere,
the world's most powerful climate models are in
general agreement over the climatic effects of
carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse
gas, which is emitted by burning of fossil fuels
in motor vehicles and industrial plants.
Observations show that atmospheric levels of
carbon dioxide have increased from 280 parts per
million by volume (ppmv) in preindustrial times
to more than 370 ppmv today, and the increase is
continuing.
A doubling of carbon dioxide over present-day
levels would significantly increase global
temperatures, according to all the major models.
The models do not always agree, however, on the
complex impacts of clouds, sea ice, and other
pieces of the climate system.
Scientists will contribute findings from CCSM3 to
the next assessment by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, an international
research body that advises policymakers on the
likely impacts of climate change.
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Forum
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Summer Programs, Courses, Internships, Meetings
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Jobs for PhDs
Post-Doctoral Opportunity
Polar Research Board (PRB)
The National Academies
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 1 September 2004
To apply online and for further information, please go to:
http://www.national-academies.org/basc
For further information on the PRB, please go to:
http://www7.nationalacademies.org/prb
------------------------------------
BACKGROUND
The National Academies, the collective name for the National Academy of
Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine,
and the National Research Council, are nonprofit organizations chartered
by Congress to provide a unique public service by working outside the
framework of government to ensure independent advice to government on
matters of science, technology, and medicine.
The Polar Research Board (PRB) is a unit of the National Academies that
provides independent analysis on research needs and management,
environment and natural resources, and other science issues in the
Arctic, the Antarctic, and cold regions in general.
The PRB is seeking an exceptional person with strong scientific
expertise and an interest in applying science in the policy arena. The
person selected will be part of a small group responsible for all
aspects of the Board's work - participating in the design of new
studies, interacting with agency decision makers, working with
committees of experts, analyzing complex issues, and contributing to our
scientific reports. This is a dynamic work environment - the National
Academies' staff is composed of more than 1000 people addressing all the
issues in today's headlines, from stem cell research to alternative
energy sources to climate change.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in planning and conducting studies related to a range of
scientific issues in the polar sciences, such as ship needs in polar
regions and design of observing networks
- Assist in the study process, including committee selection, meetings,
gathering and analyzing information, research and writing of reports,
and report review and dissemination
- Express complex technical and policy information in various written
forms, including status reports, project summaries, and detailed
committee reports
- Work on special projects such as planning for International Polar Year
2007-2008
JOB SPECIFICS
The position is open to all recent PhD's. Requires the ability to review
and analyze scientific literature; good organization, interpersonal, and
leadership skills; and the ability to work productively in a team
environment. Excellent oral and written communication skills are
essential. Open to backgrounds in any discipline of polar science
(oceanography, atmospheric science, geology, ecology, social science,
engineering, or interdisciplinary areas). The job is located in
Washington D.C. Some travel is required. This job is an appointment for
12 months.
To apply online, please go to http://www.national-academies.org. Under
"Employment" click on "Job opportunities," select "Department - Division
on Earth & Life Studies" and hit search. Look for Postdoctoral Research
Associate #040164-7.
or go directly to:
http://nationalacademies.wfrecruiter.com/jobs_details1.asp?Job_id=31585&
Page_Id=5911&Published=1
Or send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three
references to:
The National Academies
Office of Human Resources,
500 Fifth Street, NW, Keck M-105
Washington, DC 20001
Cite position #040164-7 and send a copy of your application and cover
letter directly to Chris Elfring, Director, Polar Research Board at:
celfring at nas.edu
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 1 September 2004
For further information on the PRB, please go to:
http://www7.nationalacademies.org/prb
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INTERDISCIPLINARY PUBLISHING JOB IN EUROPE
Dear colleagues,
I’m writing to inform you of an open position as manager for the publishing
department of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
(IIASA), located just outside Vienna, Austria. IIASA is an international
institution, supported by the U.S. and sixteen other governments, that
engages in scientific research aimed at providing policy insight on issues
of regional and global importance. More information about the Institute is
available on its web site (<http://www.iiasa.ac.at>).
The publications manager is responsible for the general administration of
institution publishing, including oversight of the production of
camera-ready copy; supervising an office of seven editors, typesetters,
graphics designers, and printing & mailing personnel; and dealing with
scientific publishers and manuscript reviewers. The publications manager
also should be an able science writer, capable of working with IIASA
researchers in developing popular articles based on their research work.
IIASA’s working language is English, and therefore the publications manager
should be a native English speaker, able to work with authors from many
countries. A scientific background is essential, as are computer skills,
familiarity with the Internet and Internet publishing, and managerial and
supervisory experience. The position is available immediately, and
applications are due by 15 July. Initial appointment will be for one year,
with expectation of extension. Applicants should send a cover letter,
resume, two recent examples of published work, plus the names, addresses
(including e-mail), telephone and fax numbers of two work-related references
to: Walter Foith, Personnel Administrator International Institute for
Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Tel: (+43) 2236 807-243
Fax: (+43) 2236-713-13
E-mail: foithw at iiasa.ac.at
More details about the position can be found on the IIASA Website at
<http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Admin/PE/Jobs/2004-07-pub-man-sci-wri.html>
If you have questions, get in touch with the contacts listed on the IIASA
website, or email or call me at the address below.
Sincerely,
Maggie Goud Collins
Margaret R. Goud Collins, PhD
Program Director, US Committee for IIASA
The National Academies
Board on International Scientific Organizations
Policy and Global Affairs
The National Academies, W541
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
phone: (508)548-2502
email: mcollins at nas.edu
mailing address:
29 Loop Rd.
Falmouth, MA 02540
Staff Assistant:
Amy Franklin
TEL (+1) 202-334-2807
FAX (+1) 202-334-2231
email: afranklin at nas.edu
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Research technician position in dissolved organic matter cycling
A research technician is sought to work on a
large interdisciplinary Biocomplexity project
based at the Virginia Institute of Marine
Science. The goal of the project is to provide a
conceptual and mechanistic understanding of DOC
and DON production via the three processes of
direct release, viral lysis, and zooplankton
grazing. Research will be conducted in three
systems: batch cultures of phytoplankton,
Chesapeake Bay, and Monterey Bay. The position
will be open September 1 2004 with a negotiable
start date.
The successful applicant will be expected to
perform analyses and experiments in chemical and
biological oceanography and stable isotope
biogeochemistry. This position will also be
charged with coordinating research activities
with other VIMS researchers as well as other
marine institutes as appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications:
Advanced knowledge of lab and field programs in
biological and chemical oceanography and
analytical methods used to study the cycling of
nitrogen or dissolved organic matter in aquatic
systems. Ability to work without supervision and
to supervise students in the laboratory. To be
comfortable working at sea and have a willingness
to travel. B.S in some aspect of biology,
chemistry, marine science, or oceanography.
Preferred Qualifications:
M. S. in some aspect of biology, chemistry, marine science, or
oceanography. Experience operating an isotope
ratio mass spectrometer, automated nutrient
analyzer, and/or certified in the use of
radioisotopes.
This position will be filled for two years
with possible extension into a third. Starting
salary is up to $34,000 with full health and
retirement benefits. Interested individuals
should submit a letter of interest, curriculum
vitae, and names of three references (address,
e-mail, and phone number).
Deborah Bronk
Physical Science Department
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
College of William and Mary
Route 1208; Greate Rd.
Gloucester Point, VA 23062-1346
phone: (804) 684-7779
fax: (804) 684-7786
e-mail: bronk at vims.edu
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This newsletter has been developed by C. Susan
Weiler for the purpose of distributing
information of potential interest to recent PhDs
engaged in interdisciplinary aquatic science or
climate change research, and to build an
international sense of community among recent
grads. It provides an international forum for the
exchange of information and opinions regarding
research, professional and social issues.
The views and opinions expressed are strictly
those of C.S. Weiler or of the individual who has
submitted a particular item for distribution. The
opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect
those of the funding agencies or sponsoring
societies. Dr. Weiler serves as producer and
editor and reserves the right to edit or reject
material submitted to the list.
Please submit announcements of interest to recent
PhDs to phd at whitman.edu or weiler at whitman.edu.
For ease of transmission, please do not send
attachments. Send a short message in the body of
an e-mail message, and link to any appropriate
websites.
--
C. Susan Weiler, Ph.D.
Biology Department Tel: 509-527-5948
Whitman College Fax: 509-527-5961
Walla Walla, WA 99362
weiler at whitman.edu
Programs for Recent PhDs http://aslo.org/phd.html
Minorities in the Aquatic Sciences http://www.aslo.org/mas.html
DIALOG poster http://www.aslo.org/phd/dialogposter.pdf
DISCCRS poster http://www.aslo.org/phd/disccrsposter.pdf
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