ways, advocates out passed lapel dominated much of meeting: the hall- inthe Thehotlysetts. contested presidential race Massachu- (AAAS)inBoston, of Science American Association for Advancement the ing researchers at annual the meeting of the complaining that politicians don’t science take tostop them at advised weekend. They the gave scientists experts that policy message Quit whining and get proactive. That’s the for thenext USpresident Scientists urged toplan NATURE for instance, community said the needsto line to changeto waste notimeintrying that. Lane, researchers663; 2004).Policy advised experts tion of for science political ends(see have spoken out about perceived the manipula- Bush’s administration, scientists during which W. George President of years eight with tion candidates hold and on technology. science spoke to apacked room about positions the their candidates Barack Obama and Clinton Hillary And representatives of Democratic presidential House to support integrity infederal science. publicthe good”, asking Congress and White the to action for scientific freedom and group,advocacy announced a“call Union an Scientists, of Concerned (see ence debate between the candidates buttons promoting of idea the asci- ogy. “It’s ahuge undertaking,” says. Lane particularly important and to science technol- up, including some 50positions set must be government the of days, entire the executive branch Bill Clinton. 77 During those as science adviser to President in Houston, Texas, served who Public Policy at RiceUniversity James IIIInstitute A.Baker for aseniorLane, fellow at the 2009 inauguration, notes Neal election and 20January the 4Novemberthe presidential runs it. administration, nomatter who for high-profile positions science new inthe instance, by coming up with alistof names tial changeover next January. seriously and instead prepare for presiden- the Lane and other experts were andLane address- other experts There are just 77days between wereScientists urged to organize now —for Underlying activity this isapalpable frustra- Nature | Vol 451

451, | 21 February 2008 621;2008).The such asBarack andHillaryClinton. Obama(left) Don’t wait: lobbying presidential scientiststoldtostart candidates Nature where we are.” years aheadof wins, we’ll belight “No matterwho

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Alexandra Witze where we are”. wins,who hesays, “we’ll light be years of ahead McCain issues.But stands on science nomatter cratic candidates, and knows little about where littlesays he sees difference Demo- the between none sent arepresentative. were invited all to AAAS meeting, the although Huckabee.The pair, together with Ron Paul, tions have gone also to John McCain and Mike Institute inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. Invita- ence debate, planned for 18April at Franklin the dates were considering participating sci- inthe adviser to on Obama, hiscandidate’s focused entrepreneurAlec Ross,atechnology and doubling basicresearch fundingover 10years. Clinton’s ‘innovation agenda’, includes which California, Berkeley, ran through key points in Clinton adviser Tom Kalil of University the of ofto assembled hearts the winthe scientists. Obama and Clinton campaigns competed Health and NASA. Foundation,Science National the Institutes of include of heads National filled possible the be was removed by Bush. key positions Other to reporting— adirect president linetothe that of title the ‘special assistant president’ tothe adviser,as science aslobby aswell torestore up names the of top scientists could who serve At conference, the representatives from the Outgoing AAASpresident David Baltimore space exploration. unveil plan anew for NASA and within weeks Obama would Americans. He hinted that also all to infrastructure technology plans to expand broadband and Both advisers said their candi- ■

J. REED/REUTERS E. RYAN/GETTY IMAGES this year. Union’s listofendangered species added totheWorld Conservation worldwide in2007 —a20-year low. pregnant. old daughtertobecome allowing your 12-year- is theequivalent of old elephanttoconceive SCORECARD rather tooquickly. Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, hasgrown up news thatThong Dee,wholives at Fund for AnimalWelfare reacts to A spokesperson for theInternational “ ON THERECORD speak outagainstCanada’s her publicity-courting skillsto Pamela Anderson hasused Former Baywatch babe Seal appeal SHOWBIZ NEWS worsening theirplight. eyes ofsomeconservationists, fearsome reputation and,inthe released 33 1 9 NUMBER CRUNCH fewer papers andget their problems inorbit. recipe thatcould posehealth a bacteriumusuallyusedinthe expedition thisApril—minus launch onthenation’s first space treat, hasbeencleared for according toCzech research. more abstemiouscolleagues, work thantheir citedlessoften

Allowing an8-year- fatal sharkattacktookplace shark speciesare settobe years ago, Steven Spielberg Jaws pickled-cabbage-based Kimchi, SouthKorea’s Space veg a few beers publish Scientists wholike Bad brew culling ofbaby seals. “It sickens me, , addingtosharks’ ” not justasa Canadian but

as ahuman explains. Sources: being,” she Null Hypothesis, The Times, BBC, The Guardian, Reuters PhysOrg.com,

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