bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystallins and hereditary cataracts: molecular mechanisms and potential for therapy
Authors: Andley Usha P.
Published: October 2006

Hereditary childhood cataracts can arise from single-point mutations in genes encoding crystallins, the major protein components of the lens. The cataracts are most commonly inherited by an autosomal dominant mechanism. The nature of the changes in the lens resulting from these point mutations in crystallin genes has not been fully characterised. While aggregation and light scattering associated with expression of the mutant crystallin protein may be an end point, it is also necessary to determine the progression of changes induced at the level of development and differentiation. A key finding in recent work is that cell death or cytotoxicity is associated with mutations in αA-crystallin. The variable morphology or localisation of the cataract in different pedigrees, even with the identical crystallin gene mutation, has led to the idea that other environmental or genetic factors interact to give the final lens phenotype. The study of mechanisms of formation of hereditary cataracts may lead to a greater understanding of the mechanisms that lead to age-related cataracts, a very common cause of blindness in the ageing population.
Tests und Tools
Authors: Fisseni Hermann-Josef
Published: October 2006

Zusammenfassung. Die “Arbeitsprobe zur berufsbezogenen Intelligenz - Büro- und kaufmännische Tätigkeiten (AZUBI-BK)” ist konzipiert, um spezielle Facetten der Intelligenz zu erfassen: Erfassen soll sie die speziellen Fähigkeiten von Personen, die in Büros arbeiten. Die AZUBI-BK beruht auf dem so genannten Berliner Intelligenzmodell (BIS).Die AZUBI-BK besteht aus drei Teilen, sie heißen Module. Der erste Teil, das “Grundmodul”, besteht aus acht Untertests, die vorwiegend drei Arten von “Operationen” messen: Verarbeitung sprachlicher und numerischer Reize, generelle Bearbeitungsgeschwindigkeit, außerdem das Gedächtnis. Der zweite Teil, das “Postmodul”, besteht aus vier Subtests, die vorwiegend Konzentration, Bearbeitungsgeschwindigkeit, Gewissenhaftigkeit erfassen. Eine Kurzversion, das Kurzmodul, umfasst vier Untertests; es soll eingesetzt werden, wenn nur eine globale Erfassung der speziellen Intelligenz vorgesehen ist. Die klassischen Gütekriterien (Objektivität, Reliabilität, Validität) erwiesen sich als vorzüglich. Auswertung und Interpretation übernimmt ein PC-Programm, das sich selbst erklärt und leicht zu handhaben ist.
New approach to ocean sciences draws on efficiency and partnership
Authors: Nelson Thomas
Published: October 2006

A paradigm shift is underway among the federal agencies that is changing the way we do business in the ocean sciences. This innovation, the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), is a legislatively mandated program that has produced new interactions between agencies, increased visibility for ocean issues on the national agenda, and achieved a level of coordinated community effort and a synergy never before seen.

NOPP will hold an open forum at the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday, January 26, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This session will provide an opportunity to learn more about NOPP and the topics on which the program is now focused.
The Moon: Resources, Future Development, and Colonization
Authors: Mendell Wendell
Published: October 2006

During the Apollo Program, NASA funded studies for future lunar surface activities beyond the initial landings. After rejection of the Space Task Group Report in 1969 by the Nixon Administration and after truncation of the Apollo landing sequence, NASA shut down internal work on permanent lunar facilities.

A decade later, a community of lunar base advocates arose, consisting largely of people outside the traditional NASA funding base. Following the seminal 1984 Conference on Lunar Bases and Space Activities of the 21st Century, the Aerospace Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers began a continuing series of biennial specialty conferences under the title of Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space. The conferences are better known as Space88, Space90, and so forth, including the upcoming Space2000. The proceedings contain papers by professionals who work on terrestrial infrastructure and who apply their experience to lunar scenarios.
Earth history and the evolution of life must be taught: Creationism is not science
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2006

The American Geophysical Union affirms the central importance of scientific theories of Earth history and organic evolution in science education. An educated citizenry must understand these theories in order to comprehend the dynamic world in which we live and nature's complex balance that sustains us.

Science employs a logical and empirical methodology to understand the natural world. Scientific research entails observation of natural phenomena, formulation of hypotheses as tentative, testable statements to explain these phenomena, and experiments or observations to test these hypotheses. Scientific theories, like evolution and relativity and plate tectonics, are hypotheses that have survived extensive testing and repeated verification. Scientific theories are therefore the best substantiated statements that scientists can make to explain the organization and operation of the natural world.Thus, a scientific theory is not equal to a belief, a hunch, or an untested hypothesis. Our understanding of Earth's development over its 4.5 billion‐year history and of life's gradual evolution has achieved the status of scientific theory.
The status of publishing AGU journals electronically
Authors: O'Donnell James , Dressler Andrew
Published: October 2006

Publishing journals electronically is an important part of the future of academic publications. Virtually all publishers are aggressively moving in that direction, with many already providing electronic versions of their journals. AGU has set a deadline of July 1, 2000 for making electronic versions of all of its journals available to subscribers; however, this transition is complicated. The Publications Committee has spent a long time considering the issues and we are writing this to describe the status of electronic publishing at AGU to the scientific community
Effort explores 130 Million years of Antarctic paleoenvironment
Authors: Kristoffersen Yngve , Goodwin Ian D. , Cooper Alan K.
Published: October 2006

Antarctic climate history has been dominated by events and turning points with causes that are poorly understood. To fill the gaps in our knowledges new effort is underway in the international geologic community to acquire and coordinate the circum‐Antarctic geologic data needed to derive and model paleoenvironments of the past 130 m.y. The effort, which focuses principally on using shallow (<100 m) stratigraphic drilling and coring to acquire the geologic data, is being led by the Antarctic Offshore Stratigraphy Project (ANTOSTRAT), a group that works under the aegis of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).

About 40 scientists from 12 countries met this past summer in Wellington, New Zealand, at an ANTOSTRAT meeting to discuss strategies for implementing the desired paleoenvironmental field and modeling studies. The meeting was held in conjunction with the 8th International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences.
Renaming D double prime
Authors: Chao Benjamin F.
Published: October 2006

“Knowledge about the dynamics of the D double prime region is a key to unlocking some fundamental mysteries of the Earth's heat engine which governs a wide range of global geophysical processes from tectonics to the geodynamo.”

This benign sentence makes complete sense to many geophysicists. But for many others, it all makes sense except for the odd nomenclature “D double prime.” One knows about the crust, upper and lower mantle, outer and inner cores, but where is the D double prime region? What meaning does it convey? Where is the D prime region, or the D region, or the A, B, and C regions for that matter, and are there higher‐order primes? How did such an odd name come about anyway?
Intense magnetic storms: The topic of intense scientific discussion
Authors: Daglis Ioannis A.
Published: October 2006

The upcoming solar maximum, which is expected to peak around mid‐2000, causes concerns among users of spaceborne research and technological systems. Intense magnetic storms will most probably increase in number and magnitude and will affect the operation and integrity of scientific, commercial, and military spacecraft as well as ground‐based technology systems. Intense magnetic storms will be among the major natural hazards for today's society, which is increasingly connected to and dependent on space technology.

In order to address the particulars of storm development and dynamics, an international group of scientists who are especially active in storm research participated in the Workshop on Magnetic Storm Dynamics “Brazil VI.”
Solomon to receive 1999 National Medal of Science
Authors: Grant Shermonta L.
Published: October 2006

Last month, The White House named AGU Fellow Susan Solomon as one of 12 recipients of the 1999 National Medal of Science, the highest science honor in the nation. Established by Congress and managed by the National Science Foundation, the award recognizes individuals for contributions to the current state of knowledge across a broad spectrum of science frontiers.

We honor these exceptional U.S. scientists and engineers for their achievements, contributions, and innovations that have sustained U.S. leadership across the frontiers of scientific and technological knowledge, thereby enhancing our ability to shape and improve our nations future, said President Clinton.
The Earth in Turmoil: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Their Impact on Humankind
Authors: Stein Seth
Published: October 2006

A common complaint among Earth scientists is that much of the public at least if undergraduates satisfying distribution requirements are any indication does not share our fascination with the Earth. However, we generally believe that if we could convey the essence of the Earth sciences, even the most jaded student driving toward an MBA (and BMW) could somehow be excited by the grandeur and elegance of the planets workings. Support for this (perhaps unduly) optimistic view can be found from Sieh and LeVays superb popular account of active tectonic processes. The book takes a virtual field trip across the United States, visiting sites including the Cascadia subduction zone, the San Andreas fault, the Long Valley caldera, the Basin and Range, New Madrid, and Hawaii. At each site, readers are treated to a vivid description of the visible features, an incisive explanation of the tectonics at work, and an entertaining account of how both scientists and local people have been affected.
Low‐cost airborne astronomy imager to begin research phase
Authors: Stern Alan , Durda Daniel D. , Tomlinson Bill , Vilas Faith
Published: October 2006

For decades, airborne astronomy and geophysical observations have proven useful adjuncts to ground‐based and space‐based instrumentation, particularly for optical and infrared studies [e.g., Larson, 1995].Compared to ground‐based instruments, airborne research platforms offer superior atmospheric transmission, the ability to reach remote and often otherwise inaccessible locations over the Earth, and virtually guaranteed good weather for observing the sky.Airborne platforms also offer substantial cost advantages over space‐based instruments.With funding from Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and NASA, we have developed the hardware and tech‐niques to routinely conduct valuable astronomical and aeronomical observations from high‐performance, two‐seater military‐type aire raft. These platforms cost far less than larger, more conventional airborne platforms, offering savings that are often of an order of 10:1 per flight hour. Smaller platforms based throughout the world eliminate the need for expensive, campaignstyle movement of specialized large aircraft and logistics support teams, and can react faster to transient events. The Southwest Ultraviolet Imaging System‐Airborne (SWUIS‐A) imager has been flight tested in 14 airborne missions since 1997. With initial systems development and operational trials completed, a vigorous operational research phase is beginning.
Two communities join forces to study ice‐covered rivers and lakes
Authors: Ferrick Michael G. , Prowse Terry D.
Published: October 2006

Lake and river ice are important hydrologic variables that increase in significance with latitude and elevation and produce a diverse array of impacts on physical, chemical, and ecological processes in lentic and lotic systems. For instance, ice jam or ice dam events in rivers impede flow and cause rapid and severe flooding upstream and low flow downstream. Such events produce flow magnitudes that mimic the annual extremes of flood and drought. Sequential flow extremes, where “drought” conditions are followed immediately by flooding, are unique to ice jam and release events. These dynamic flow conditions have important implications for erosion, transport, and deposition of sediment; movement of nutrients and contaminants; and quality of stream habitat. Ice jam processes depend on ice cover characteristics and stream flow, both of which are influenced by and sensitive to climate variability
National Research Council report cites radiation control for astronauts and International Space Station
Authors: Siscoe George , Kelly Michael
Published: October 2006

The affiliated committees of the National Research Council (NRC)—the Committee on Solar and Space Physics (CSSP) and the Committee on Solar‐Terrestrial Relations (CSTR)—conducted a study to assess the radiation hazard to astronauts engaged in extravehicular activities (EVAs) needed to construct the International Space Station (ISS). The committees' findings and recommendations appear in a just‐released NRC report titled “Radiation and the International Space Station: Recommendations to Reduce Risk.” What motivated the study was the fact that while solar storms bearing intense radiation are rare, EVAs during ISS construction flights are frequent, and so the two might, by chance, coincide. Indeed, an analysis conducted for the study indicates that at least one and probably two ISS construction flights will be in progress when a highlatitude radiation event occurs. The report considers options to reduce radiation risk to astronauts and to minimize the impact radiation events might have on ISS construction.
Lambert receives 1999 Ocean Sciences Award
Authors: Barber Richard , Lambert Richard B.
Published: October 2006

Richard B. Lambert, Jr. was given the 1999 Ocean Sciences Award at the AGU Ocean Sciences Luncheon, held on January 26, 2000, in San Antonio, Texas. The award recognizes outstanding and longstanding service to the discipline.
Atmospheric Dynamics
Authors: Hakim Gregory J.
Published: October 2006

The subject of atmospheric dynamics is featured in a large and steadily increasing number of textbooks. John Green's Atmospheric Dynamics is distinctly different from other books on the topic in several respects. Most important, the reader is expected to have prior knowledge of atmospheric dynamics; significant knowledge in some aspects. There are few figures and even fewer references to outside sources. Thus this book may serve as supplemental reading in a graduate course on dynamics, but it may be less suitable as a primary text.
Clean air act and acid precipitation receiving increased attention
Authors: Burns Douglas A. , Lawrence Gregory B. , Murdoch Peter S.
Published: October 2006

In 1990 the U.S. Congress passed Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments, which was intended to reduce the adverse effects of acid deposition by reducing emissions of the acid precursors,sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (Nox). Passage of Title IV was a response to the findings of a decade of research performed in large part through the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP), which concluded that acid deposition posed a current and future threat to vulnerable forest and aquatic ecosystems [NAPAP, 1991].Now,with reauthorization of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments scheduled for 2000, Congress is considering several bills that would further reduce emissions to ensure the restoration of damaged ecosystems.

Title IV requires a 10 million ton per year reduction in SO2 emissions below 1980 levels by 2010 and establishes a national cap of 8.95 million tons per year on utility emissions by 2010. Atmospheric sulfur deposition began to decline in the late 1970s as a result of energy conservation and provisions of the Clean Air Act of 1980. Since implementation of Phase I of Title IV in 1995, SO2 emissions have dropped from more than 20 million tons per year in the early 1990s to 18.3 million tons in 1995 [NAPAP, 1998].Consequently, reductions in atmospheric sulfur deposition have accelerated throughout the United States since 1995.
Outstanding student paper awards
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2006

The Geodesy Section presented four outstanding student paper awards at the 1999 Fall Meeting in San Francisco, California, last December.
National ocean partnership project advances real‐time coastal ocean forecasting
Authors: Thiebaux Jean , Katz Bert , Kelley John , Breaker Laurence , Balasubramaniyan Bhavani
Published: October 2006

A 1999–2000 National Ocean Partnership Project (NOPP) has demonstrated highly accurate predictions of ocean temperatures, currents, and surface elevation through a model that integrates the state of the ocean to routinely produce real‐time nowcasts and forecasts. The success is attributed to a new technology for model‐assimilation of satellite‐derived surface observations with observations from in situ equipment.

Because the Chesapeake Bay and the northwestern Atlantic boarding the east coast of the United States is an area of intense ocean harvest, recreational boating, and major shipping —activities that depend on near‐term prediction of near‐surface conditions of the waters off the eastern coast—it served as the test‐bed for the “Coastal Marine Demonstration Project”
New focus on biogeosciences
Authors: McKnight Diane
Published: October 2006

At the 1999 Fall Meeting the AGU Council voted to create a new section called Biogeosciences. This vote is the first of two Council votes required to change the bylaws by adding the new section name (see Eos, Vol.81, No. 13, March 28, 2000). The second vote may be taken as early as the 2000 Spring Meeting.

Biogeosciences is currently a technical committee that serves as an organizational structure for current and new members to participate in meeting sessions and other activities. This section will explore the coupling of biological and geophysical processes to develop a more complete and fundamental understanding of the Earth and other planets. It is now widely recognized that the understanding of the Earth system can only be achieved by consideration of the role of biological agents and processes and interactions with geophysical and geochemical processes.
Bacon receives 1999 Bowen Award
Authors: Hildreth Wes , Bacon Charles R.
Published: October 2006

Charles R. Bacon received the 1999 Bowen Award, presented by the Volcanology Geochemistry, and Petrology Section during the 1999 AGU Fall Meeting.
AVHRR images capture natural calamities in Mid‐Atlantic Region
Authors: Kalluri S. N. V. , Borak J. S.
Published: October 2006

The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on board the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Fblar Orbiting Environmental satellite is used to assess the severity of natural disasters including drought and vegetative conditions in this study. Satellite images captured the impact of extremely dry conditions suffered throughout the Mid‐Atlantic region during the summer of 1999, which was dubbed as the drought of the century [Eos, August 17, 1999, p.365]. According to NOAA, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Rhode Island endured their driest periods from April through July 1999 in 105 years of recordkeeping. Based on statistics from the Northeast Regional Climate Center at Cornell University Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia exhibited departures of 26%, 29%, 32%, and 35%, respectively from normal precipitation totals during the 1999 summer According to the National Weather Service, a deficiency of 15% or more over a 6‐month period can be considered as the onset of drought. Reduced rainfall in this region resulted in low soil moisture, which has a significant impact on vegetation conditions.
New procedures for Fellows nominations
Authors: Wood Eric
Published: October 2006

On January 30, 2000, the Union Fellows Committee met and elected 37 new members for Fellowship.

The Fellows Committee's selection of Fellows is the last step in a process that begins with the nomination of members by their colleagues.
Antarctic research yields circumpolar sea ice thickness data
Authors: Worby A. P. , Ackley S. F.
Published: October 2006

One of the great questions about a global warming scenario is, what will happen to Antarctic sea ice? Studies of past climates, which provide evidence for polar amplification of warming, suggest that under any global warming scenario, Northern Hemisphere sea ice will probably be reduced. Recent results already suggest a 40% decrease in ice thickness over the past 2–4 decades [Rothrock et al, 1999]. However, projected changes and their timing in the Southern Hemisphere sea ice cover are less certain, and current coupled model studies of an increased carbon dioxide atmosphere disagree in their predicted Southern Hemisphere responses.
Democracy requires involvement
Authors: Folger Peter
Published: October 2006

Three hundred scientists and engineers from around the United States converged on Washington, D.C., on April 5 to personally urge Congress to increase federal support for scientific research. The 5th annual Science, Engineering, and Technology Congressional Visits Day drew 33 Earth and space scientists, including a contingent of AGU members, to Capitol Hill for a series of face‐to‐face meetings with senators, representatives, and legislative staff. These visitors advocated two common themes to the lawmakers: 1) supporting a balanced federal investment in science, engineering, and technology is fundamental to the nation s continued prosperity, and 2) science, engineering, and technology partnerships between government, universities, and industries means progress, economic growth, and jobs.
The Earth's Magnetic Field
Authors: McElhinny Michael W.
Published: October 2006

The study of the Earth's magnetic field is one of the oldest scientific disciplines. Research in geomagnetism enabled information to be deduced about the Earth's interior, the electrodynamics of the upper atmosphere at altitudes above 100 km, and the processes at work in interplanetary space and even on the surface of the Sun.

Regular recordings of the geomagnetic field elements were commenced on a global scale in 1841, initially with hourly recordings, but 5 years later, continuous recordings were introduced. One of the oldest of these continuous recording stations is the Colaba‐Alibag magnetic observatory in India. The Earth's Magnetic Field was commissioned to commemorate 150 years (1841–1991) of continuous, uninterrupted observations of the Earth's magnetic field by that observatory. Therefore, it is inevitable that the book emphasizes much of the Indian contributions to studies in geomagnetism. Two of the eight chapters are devoted to this aspect: Chapter 5 on the historical aspects of geomagnetism in India and chapter 7 on the Indian contributions to modern geomagnetism.
Stepping Stones: Evolving the Earth and Its Life
Authors: McKay Christopher P.
Published: October 2006

In recent years, science has begun to consider more system‐level studies that cross disciplines. These studies challenge our traditional disciplinary training. It is no longer enough to be just a geologist when the problems of interest deal with an entire planet. Indeed, a knowledge of biology, geology astronomy, and myriad subfields is needed.

In Stepping Stones, Stephen Drury steps up to the daunting task of writing a general treatment of the science of the entire Earth. He not only ranges through all of the relevant physical sciences but also reaches to economics and political theory. The material is presented at a general level with reading lists but no specific references. Equations have been minimized.
That “Dahm” layer comments on renaming the D”
Authors: Howell Benjamin F. , Kisslinger Carl
Published: October 2006

Benjamin F. Chao has suggested that Bullen's layer just above the mantle‐core boundary be renamed the Bullen layer. I believe that this is inappropriate. Boundaries and layers in the Earth are most properly named after their discoverers or those who first measured their location or properties. Cornelius G. Dahm [1936] first described this layer and deserves to have it named after him. This is appropriate also because it is convenient to have a short, easy‐to‐remember name that is similar to D″, which has been in use for a long time.
Scientists push for an integrated ocean observing system
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: October 2006

Some elements of a U.S. system to monitor the world s oceans already are in place. For instance, the El Niæo‐Southern Oscillation Observing System provided important data to scientists and planners tracking the 1998 El Niæo in the Pacific Ocean. The VENTS program, established in 1984, is helping to increase understanding of the spreading of the sea floor in the Pacific. The Long‐Term Ecosystem Observatory in 15 meters of water (LEO‐15) monitors the marine environment off the coast of New Jersey. Additional programs include a federal network of 22 National Estuarine Research reserve monitoring sites, the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE), RIDGE (Ridge Inter‐Disciplinary Global Experiments), and other projects and observing stations maintained by research institutions and government agencies.

These pieces, however, do not yet add up to an integrated ocean observing system (IOOS), according to proponents, who argue that an investment to create a national ocean information system that fits in with an international oceans system would be similar to existing national and global weather information systems. While the price tag for an IOOS and an international oceans system could be expensive, the human, ecological, and economic benefits far outweigh the costs, these individuals say.
Principles of Hydrogeology, Second Edition
Authors: Ferø Paul
Published: October 2006

Hydrogeology is a broadbased field of study, bringing together geology, physics, hydraulics, chemistry, geography, biology, and many branches of engineering. As a result, practicing hydrogeologists come from diverse back‐grounds and must work closely with professionals with skills and experiences different from their own. Thorough understanding of the underlying physical, geological, and chemical principles of hydrogeology is a requisite basis for technical communication among hydrogeologists. A convenient source of working definitions and commonly used parameters is a useful tool for hydrogeologic practice.

Principles of Hydrogeology falls somewhere between a complete introduction to the underlying concepts of hydrogeology and a detailed description of hydrogeologic methods. The simplified, schematic figures used throughout the text are clear and readable, well‐suited for use in classroom instruction. Many sample calculations are provided together with tables of useful parameter values. A wide range of topics relevant to the practice of hydrogeology are introduced. Its clarity and brevity will make this book a useful primer for professionals working in fields related to hydrogeology for students at the beginning of their careers, and for hydrogeologic technicians who need an accessible source of definitions of hydrogeologic concepts.
Outstanding student paper awards
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2006

The Tectonophysics Section presented seven outstanding student paper awards at the 1999 Fall Meeting in San Francisco, California, last December.
Trish' Rogers Campbell (1963–2000)
Authors: Campbell Bruce A.
Published: October 2006

Patricia Grizzaffi Campbell (Rogers), a planetary scientist with RAND and NASA, passed away at her home March 9 after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. She was 37 years old.

Dr. Campbell received her B.A. in geological sciences from Harvard University in 1985, and her M.S. in planetary geology from Brown University in 1987. From 1988 to 1991, she worked for RAND in Santa Monica California, on a variety of planetary science programs, including geodetic control networks for Mars, Mercury Triton, and Venus, and Magellan mission planning and data analysis. She also participated in the development of mission concepts and architectures for the NASA Space Exploration Initiative.
Fifty‐five million years of Tibetan evolution recorded in the Indus Fan
Authors: Clift Peter , Shimizu Nobu , Layne Graham , Gaedicke Christoph , Schlter H.‐U. , Clark Marin , Amjad Shahid
Published: October 2006

Although the Indus Fan is only about one‐third of the volume of its giant neighbor in the Bay of Bengal, it is one of the largest sediment bodies in the ocean basins, totaling ∼5×106 km3. Its detrital sedimentary record is an important repository of information on the uplift and erosion of the western Himalaya. New seismic and provenance data from the Pakistan margin now suggest that the Indus River and fan system was initiated shortly after the India‐Asia collision at ˜5 Ma.

The modern Indus drainage basin is dominated by the high peaks of the Karakoram, Kohistan, and other tectonic units of the Indus Suture Zone rather than the High Himalaya. The Indus River, which rises in western Tibet near Mount Kailas, follows the Indus Suture Zone along strike before cutting orthogonally through the Himalaya to the Arabian Sea. The other tributaries to the Indus, such as the Chenab and Sutlej, do drain the crystalline High Himalayan range, but do so in an area where its topography is much reduced (Figure 1). In contrast, the Bengal Fans main feeder rivers, the Ganges and Brahmaputra, follow the High Himalaya along strike for much of the length of the orogen. In practice, this means that the Bengal Fan is swamped by the large volume of material derived from the rapidly unroofing High Himalaya [France‐Lanord et al, 1993], while the Indus Fan is dominated by tectonic units adjacent to the suture zone, including western Tibet. This allows their erosional signal to be more readily isolated in the Indus Fan compared to in the Bengal.
Town meeting revisits priorities in the hydrologic sciences
Authors: Hartman H. C. , Pagana T.C. , Hogue T.S. , Mahani S. , Sorooshian S.
Published: October 2006

The Hydrology Section again sponsored a Town Hall Meeting at the 1999 AGU Fall Meeting, building upon the success of the previous years event [Hartmann etal, 1999] . That meeting focused on the priorities of US. federal agencies in hydrological research. This year, the scope was broadened to include international agency perspectives in addition to those of U.S. agencies. The format of the town hall meeting allowed for extended discussion between agency representatives and AGU members.
Apparent water formations in Mars images elicit puzzlement, enthusiasm
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: October 2006

Scientists poring over images of Mars taken by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) have detected geological features which they say could have been formed by liquid water flowing in the recent geological past—anywhere from millions of years ago to moments ago.

While some earlier evidence has indicated that some water likely exists on Mars in the form of ice and vapor, the new findings set the clock forward by suggesting the presence of geologically recent liquid water.
New officers assume leadership
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2006

The 2000–2002 AGU officers assumed their leadership roles on July l.On the weekend of May 27–29 the new council members and committee chairmen participated in a leadership conference. The primary focus for this was to set priorities and goals and to exchange information that will help each member of AGU's leadership team contribute effectively throughout his or her term. Participants emphasized the importance of continuing to encourage communication and the need for strengthening ties throughout the world and to address many of the complex problems of interest to us today. Another primary topic was continuing to increase the effectiveness of AGU's electronic communications—both formal electronic publications and informal communication among the leadership and members.
Dynamics of Arctic sea ice discussed at workshop
Authors: Overland James , Ukita Jinro
Published: October 2006

Sea ice is an interesting geophysical material: it behaves as a large‐scale hardening plastic. Consider the impact of the sea‐ice covers mechanical behavior on the energy and momentum exchange within the complex atmosphere‐ice‐ocean system. Sea ice acts as an insulator between the relatively warm ocean water and the cold polar atmosphere. Sea ice cover interacts with the atmosphere by regulating air‐sea fluxes, changing surface albedo, and influencing the long‐wave radiative balance.
Research targets 2000 years of climate‐induced sea level fluctuations
Authors: Goodwin I. , Harvey N. , van de Plassche O. , Oglesby R. , Oldfield F.
Published: October 2006

Sea level rise as a consequence of “greenhouse‐induced” global warming has been a major focus of global change science for the last 2 decades. The principle approach has been to test climate‐forced sea level models by comparing model results with regional or global averages of sea level rise based on multidecadal, and in a few cases, centennial tidegauge records, corrected for local crustal movements that in turn are based on millennialscale records of relative sea level change. The majority of the multi‐decadal instrumental records are inherently noisy (±0.3 m) due to sub‐decadal and decadal variability in ocean temperature, salinity fields,and circulation, any of which can affect density and hence local sea level. This variability is induced by atmospheric and oceanographic phenomena such as ENSO.
Outstanding student paper award
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2006

The Seismology Section presented an outstanding student paper award to Stephane Rondenay at the 2000 AGU Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C., last June.
Gosling receives 2000 John Adam Fleming Medal
Authors: Neugebauer Marcia , Gosling John T.
Published: October 2006

John T.Gosling was awarded the John Adam Fleming Medal at the AGU Spring Meeting Honors Ceremony, which was held on June 2, 2000, in Washington, D.C. The medal recognizes original research and technical leadership in geomagnetism, atmospheric electricity, aeronomy space physics, and related sciences.
Exhibit created by scientists brings planet Earth to public
Authors: Mathez E. A. , Webster J. D. , Kinzler R. , Sloan H.
Published: October 2006

On June 12, 1999, the American Museum of Natural History opened a new permanent exhibit about the Earth. The exhibit, the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth (HOPE), describes how the Earth works (Web site: http://www.amnh.org/rose/hope). In other words, it is the story of modern Earth science.

How does one go about telling such a broad and complex story in an exhibit where the audience ranges from school children to adults? The first challenge was to devise a structure for the story itself. The hall was organized around a series of questions that would both engage the visitors and span current knowledge. The questions were eventually distilled to five: How has the Earth evolved? How do we read the rocks? Why are there ocean basins, continents, and mountains? What causes climate and climate change? And, why is the Earth habitable?
Bierbaum receives 2000 Waldo E. Smith Medal
Authors: Hallgren Richard E. , Corell Robert W. , Bierbaum Rosina
Published: October 2006

Rosina M. Bierbaum was awarded the Waldo E. Smith Medal at the AGU Spring Meeting Honors Ceremony, which was held on June 2, 2000, in Washington, D.C. The medal recognizes extraordinary service to geophysics.
Witze receives 2000 Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism
Authors: Witze Alexandra
Published: October 2006

Alexandra Witze was awarded the 2000 Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism at the AGU Spring Meeting Honors Ceremony, which was held on June 2, 2000, in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes a single article or a radio/television report that makes geophysical material accessible and interesting to the general public.
A name for D”
Authors: Bolt Bruce A.
Published: October 2006

Several additional points may be of interest concerning the recent Eos correspondence on appellations for the much‐studied Earth's regions denoted D″ and F by K. E. Bullen. These relatively thin shells were subdivisions made by Bullen on the basis of the P velocity inversion in 1939 by H. Jeffreys. Jeffreys [1938, p. 285] was certainly aware of C. G. Dahms publications, presenting evidence for a shell of almost constant P velocity at the base of the mantle, but he refrained from fixing any name to it. Bullen [1947, p. 207] specifically relates in the first edition of his book that Dahm and J. B. Macelwane provided independent evidence that there may be a separate layer of thickness 100–200 km above the boundary of the central core.
Mogk receives 2000 Excellence In Geophysical Education Award
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: October 2006

David W. Mogk was awarded the 2000 Excellence In Geophysical Education Award at the AGU Spring Meeting Honors Ceremony, which was held on June 2, 2000, in Washington, D.C. The award acknowledges a sustained commitment to excellence in geophysical education by a team, individual, or group.
What lies beneath: Studying a U.S. impact crater and its effects on groundwater
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2006

NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., August 3, 2000 Today, the team drilling for its version of gold hauled up another 18 meters of sediment samples as super‐hardened carbide disks welded onto a coring bit pushed through a Virginia unit of the St. Mary's Formation, which dates from the Late Miocene Epoch 8 5 million years old. The drilling, which began on July 23 and is expected to grind on at this site until September, has now reached about 107 meters below land surface.

The scientists and heavy equipment handlers hope that by the end of August they will reach the layer of the Chesapeake Bay impact crater where breccia lies. This is a jumble of redistributed and angular broken rock fragments they expect to find that was deposited in the aftermath of a bolide strike 35 million years ago, during the Late Eocene epoch. The breccia could lie anywhere from 640 to 820 meters down, scientists believe. Drillers working the coring rig may continue down as far as 1370 or 1675 meters to take up a long sample of underlying crystalline rocks, according to geologist Greg Gohn of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a co‐leader of the Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater (CBIC) project.
International Geodynamics Research Center opens in Kyrgyz Republic
Authors: Zeigarnik Vladimir A. , Schelochkov Gennady G. , Molnar Peter
Published: October 2006

On June 10, 2000, the International Research Center‐Geodynamic Proving Ground was inaugurated near Bishkek, the capital city of the Kyrgyz Republic.The centers purpose will be to facilitate collaborative research in geodynamics, not only between Kyrgyz and Russian scientists, but involving scientists from other countries as well.

The new center takes advantage of existing capabilities in geophysical research at both the Scientific Station of the Associated Institute of High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, and at Kyrgyz institutes. For instance, the Kyrgyz Seismograph Network, operated by the Kyrgyz Institute of Seismology (KIS) and the Scientific Station, with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF),consists of 10 state‐of‐the‐art broadband seismographs whose data are transmitted in near‐real time to the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics at the University of California in San Diego.
The Earth's Plasmasphere with Contributions from D. L. Carpenter and V. Bassolo
Authors: Ganguli Gurudas
Published: October 2006

The plasmasphere is a region of enduring scientific interest and considerable practical importance. A number of communications, navigation, and military satellites that are becoming indispensable to routine human activities are stationed in this region.

To ensure the reliability of these assets, it is important to understand the plasmaspheric environment comprehensively Recently, there has been renewed interest in the plasmasphere as evidenced by a number of imaging missions, such as the NASA/Imager for Magnetopauseto‐Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE), the U.S. Department of Defense/Advanced Research & Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS), and the proposed Magnetospheric Imager (MI), whose objectives include imaging the plasmasphere. To fully use the information obtained by remote sensing, we must develop more accurate models of the plasmaspheric structure than are currently available. Hence, an emphasis on plasmaspheric research is particularly timely.
Reassessing the New Madrid Seismic Zone
Authors: Atkinson Gail , Bakun Bill , Bodin Paul , Boore David , Camer Chris , Frankel Art , Gasperini Paulo , Gomberg Joan , Hanks Tom , Hermann Bob , Hough Susan , Johnston Arch , Kenner Shelley , Langston Chuck , Linker Mark , Mayne Paul , Petersen Mark , Powell Christine , Prescott Will , Schweig Eugene , Segall Paul , Stein Seth , Stuart Bill , Tuttle Martitia , VanArsdale Roy
Published: October 2006

The central enigma of the mid‐continent region in the United States known as the New Madrid seismic zone (NMSZ; Figure 1) involves the mechanisms that give rise to recurrent great earthquakes far from plate boundaries. Given the lack of significant topographic relief that is the hallmark of tectonic activity in most actively deforming regions, most of us feel a need to “pinch ourselves to see if we're dreaming” when confronted with evidence that, at some probability levels, the earthquake hazard throughout the NMSZ is comparable to that estimated for the San Francisco Bay region.

Although assessing the hazard in the NMSZ is in many ways more challenging than in the western United States, and the uncertainties are much greater, careful scientific study has led to a consensus on the issues most critical to seismic hazard assessment.
Energy top ten
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: October 2006

As top ten lists go, Battelle Memorial Institute's can't hold a candle next to comedian David Letterman's nightly jokes on CBS‐TV's Late Show. But it may hold more power in the long run.

Batelle on July 26 released its list of the top 10 innovations in the U.S. energy sector that, according to its judgment, are likely to have the highest economic impact by the year 2010.
Outstanding student paper awards
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2006

The Space Physics & Aeronomy Section presented twelve outstanding student paper awards at the 2000 Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C., last June.
Lend‐A‐Hand Program provides access to AGU
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2006

In just 2 years, over 40 geophysical scientists from 15 countries have received 2‐year AGU memberships through member donations to AGUs Lend‐A‐Hand Program.

The Lend‐A‐Hand Program provides membership in AGU for colleagues who live in countries in which it is extremely difficult to obtain U.S. funds, or where the local currency is very weak. A U.S. $40‐donation provides a Lend‐a‐Hand recipient with all member benefits over a 2‐year period. To help these members stay in touch with colleagues around the world, recipients also receive, at no extra charge, copies of Eos and Geophysical Abstracts in Press, a monthly printed compilation of abstracts of articles to be published in AGU journals and books. AGU members can also donate funds to provide journal subscriptions for colleagues through this program.
India and U.S. work toward improving science ties
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: October 2006

Two years after India set off several underground nuclear tests that rattled sabers and Indian‐U.S. ties, the two countries now are edging back to normalization. One measure of that return to friendlier diplomatic relations is discussions on science and technology issues held during a recent, high‐level roundtable meeting timed to Indian Prime Minister Atel Behari Vajpayee s official visit to the United States in September.

During Vajpayee s state visit, U.S. President Bill Clinton told his counterpart, I think we have worked hard together to move our relationship from one of too little contact and too much suspicion, to one of genuine efforts to build a long‐term partnership that is in the interests of the people of India and the people of the United States.
Greenspan promotes science and math education
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: October 2006

Saying that the need to improve scientific reasoning skills among U.S. students “is crucial for the future of our nation,” Federal Reserve System Chairman Alan Greenspan, on September 21, testified in support of federal legislation to improve teacher training in science, mathematics, and related subjects.

The National Science Education Enhancement Act (House Resolution 4272) includes provisions to provide mentoring, summer institutes, and other professional development programs for teachers. The legislation follows on a 1999 Congressional report, “Unlocking Our Future Toward a New National Science Policy.”
Book Review
Authors: Klepeis Keith
Published: October 2006

By now almost everyone interested in tectonic evolution of our planet has heard something of the intriguing similarities that exist among Paleozoic fauna and carbonate platforms of the Appalachian margin of Laurentia, and the ancient margin of Gondwana. One of the great developments in continental tectonics over the past two decades has been the recognition of a fragment of rifted Laurentian crust sitting in the middle of the Andean Precordillera near San Juan, Argentina. The idea of a shared geological history between Gondwana and Laurentia grabbed a foothold in the 1980s. However, it took off with Ian Dalziel's famous Laurentian “end‐run” around South America that, in 1991, provided a frame‐work within which to discuss specific tectonic interactions between parts of North America and South America.
Unraveling complex hydrogeologic systems using field tracer tests
Authors: Dam William A. , Nicholson Thomas
Published: October 2006

Tracking the movement of underground contaminants is vital to protecting public health and the environment worldwide. Scientific efforts using field tracer techniques to solve contaminant migration problems are rapidly evolving to fill critical information gaps and provide confirmation of laboratory data and numerical models.

Various chemical tracers are being used to formulate and evaluate alternative conceptual hydrogeologic modelssemi; namely, to constrain hydraulic properties of geologic systems, identify sources of groundwater, flow paths, and rates, and determine mechanisms that affect contaminant transport. Naturally occurring elements and environmental isotopes from atmospheric and underground nuclear testing can make excellent tracers. In addition, characterizing sites of future waste disposal, such as the potential high‐level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, requires new and innovative techniques like injecting surrogate tracers that simulate potential contaminants and shed light on mechanisms that could control future contaminant migration.