Carbon materials pervade many aspects of modern life, from fuels and building materials to consumer goods and commodity chemicals. Reaching net-zero emissions will require replacing existing fossil-carbon-based systems with circular-carbon economies that transform wastes like CO2 into useful materials. This report evaluates market opportunities and infrastructure needs to help decision makers better understand how carbon dioxide utilization can contribute to a net-zero emissions future. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction and Scope 2 Existing Infrastructure for CO2 Utilization 3 Potential Uses of CO2 in Commercial Products 4 Infrastructure Considerations for CO2 Utilization 5 Policy, Regulatory, and Societal Considerations for CO2 Utilization Systems 6 Priority Infrastructure Opportunities for CO2 Utilization Appendixes Appendix A: Committee Member Biographies Appendix B: Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Appendix C: Information-Gathering Activities Appendix D: Acronyms and Abbreviations

The assessment of risk is complex and often controversial. It is derived from the existence of a hazard, and it is characterized by the uncertainty of possible undesirable events and their outcomes. Few outcomes are as undesirable as nuclear war and nuclear terrorism. Over the decades, much has been written about particular situations, policies, and weapons that might affect the risks of nuclear war and nuclear terrorism. The nature of the concerns and the risk analysis methods used to evaluate them have evolved considerably over time. At the request of the Department of Defense, Risk Analysis Methods for Nuclear War and Nuclear Terrorism discusses risks, explores the risk assessment literature, highlights the strengths and weaknesses of risk assessment approaches, and discusses some publicly available assumptions that underpin U.S. security strategies, all in the context of nuclear war and nuclear terrorism. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 The Threat of Nuclear War and Nuclear Terrorism: Classes of Scenarios 3 The History and Literature of Risk Assessment for Nuclear War and Nuclear Terrorism 4 The Use of Risk Assessment for Nuclear War and Nuclear Terrorism 5 The Structure of Risk Analysis 6 Risk Analysis Methods and Models 7 Risk Information and Risk Management Decisions 8 Conclusions and Next Steps References Appendixes Appendix A: U.S. Strategic Assumptions About Nuclear Risks Appendix B: Types of Uncertainty Appendix C: U.S. Policy-Making Structure for Nuclear War and Nuclear Terrorism Appendix D: Agendas of Committee Meetings Appendix E: Committee Member Biographies

In 2016, the National Science Foundation (NSF) established a five-year program on Understanding the Rules of Life (URoL) to identify generalizable rules that govern biological systems at micro and macro levels. At the request of NSF, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a series of workshops to explore the achievements of the URoL program. Presenters and participants discussed integration of multi-disciplinary, systems-level approaches, broader implications for studying highly complex systems, future scientific questions and future societal needs, and the production of generalizable rules that apply to different fields and scales. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter The National Science Foundation's Big Idea on Understanding the Rules of Life 1 URoL: Epigenetics 2 URoL: Microbiome 3 URoL: Building a Synthetic Cell 4 URoL: Multidisciplinary Research, Education and Training, and Broader Impacts Appendix A: Workshop Agendas Appendix B: Biographical Sketches for Workshop Planning Committee and Participants Appendix C: URoL-Funded Projects

According to surveys, the public believes the chickens it is buying are wholesome. Poultry Inspection: The Basis for a Risk-Assessment Approach looks at current inspection procedures to determine how effective the Food Safety Inspection Service is in finding dangerous levels of contaminants and disease-producing microorganisms. The book first describes the history behind the current system, noting that the amount of poultry inspected has increased dramatically while techniques and regulations have remained constant since 1968. The steps involved in an inspection are then described, followed by a discussion of alternative and innovative inspection procedures. It then provides a risk-assessment model for poultry, including submodels for each stage of processing. Risk assessment is used to protect health, establish priorities, identify problems, and set acceptable levels of risk. The model is applied both to microbiological hazards and to chemical contaminants.

Nonhuman primates represent a small fraction of animals used in biomedical research, but they remain important research models due to their similarities to humans with respect to genetic makeup, anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Limitations in the availability of nonhuman primates have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent restrictions on their exportation and transportation, impacting National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research necessary for both public health and national security. Additionally, there is continued interest in understanding whether and how nonanimal models can be used to answer scientific questions for which nonhuman primates are currently used. At the direction of the U.S. Congress, NIH asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to convene an expert committee to conduct a landscape analysis of current and future use of nonhuman primates in NIH-supported biomedical research, as well as opportunities for new approach methodologies to complement or reduce reliance on nonhuman primate models. This report provides the committee findings and conclusions. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Contribution of Nonhuman Primate Models to Advances in Human Health 3 Current Landscape of Use and Availability of Nonhuman Primates for NIH-Supported Biomedical Research 4 The Landscape of New Approach Methodologies 5 Future Needs and Opportunities for Nonhuman Primate Models in Biomedical Research Appendix A: Study Approach and Methods Appendix B: Data on Nonhuman Primate Use in NIH-Supported Biomedical Research Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff Appendix D: Disclosure of Unavoidable Conflicts of Interest

An estimated 8 million metric tons (MMT) of plastic waste enters the world's ocean each year - the equivalent of dumping a garbage truck of plastic waste into the ocean every minute. Plastic waste is now found in almost every marine habitat, from the ocean surface to deep sea sediments to the ocean's vast mid-water region, as well as the Great Lakes. This report responds to a request in the bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act for a scientific synthesis of the role of the United States both in contributing to and responding to global ocean plastic waste. The United States is a major producer of plastics and in 2016, generated more plastic waste by weight and per capita than any other nation. Although the U.S. solid waste management system is advanced, it is not sufficient to deter leakage into the environment. Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste calls for a national strategy by the end of 2022 to reduce the nation's contribution to global ocean plastic waste at every step - from production to its entry into the environment - including by substantially reducing U.S. solid waste generation. This report also recommends a nationally-coordinated and expanded monitoring system to track plastic pollution in order to understand the scales and sources of U.S. plastic waste, set reduction and management priorities, and measure progress. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Plastic Production and Global Trade 3 Plastic Waste and Its Management 4 Physical Transport and Pathways to the Ocean 5 Distribution and Fate of Plastic Waste in the Ocean 6 Tracking and Monitoring Systems for Ocean Plastic Waste 7 Interventions for U.S. Contributions to Global Ocean Plastic Waste References Appendixes Appendix A: Biographies of the Committee on the United States Contributions to Global Ocean Plastic Waste Appendix B: Definitions and Acronyms Appendix C: Legal Framework Appendix D: Estuary Table Appendix E: Global Instruments and Activities Relevant to Ocean Plastic Pollution

The science of animal nutrition has made significant advances in the past century. In looking back at the discoveries of the 20th century, we can appreciate the tremendous impact that animal nutrition has had on our lives. From the discovery of vitamins and the sweeping shift in the use of oilseeds to replace animal products as dietary protein sources for animals during the war times of the 1900s-to our integral understanding of nutrients as regulators of gene expression today-animal nutrition has been the cornerstone for scientific advances in many areas.
At the milestone of their 70th year of service to the nation, the National Research Council's (NRC) Committee on Animal Nutrition (CAN) sought to gain a better understanding of the magnitude of recent discoveries and directions in animal nutrition for the new century we are embarking upon. With financial support from the NRC, the committee was able to organize and host a symposium that featured scientists from many backgrounds who were asked to share their ideas about the potential of animal nutrition to address current problems and future challenges.

Prudent Practices in the Laboratory-the book that has served for decades as the standard for chemical laboratory safety practice-now features updates and new topics. This revised edition has an expanded chapter on chemical management and delves into new areas, such as nanotechnology, laboratory security, and emergency planning. Developed by experts from academia and industry, with specialties in such areas as chemical sciences, pollution prevention, and laboratory safety, Prudent Practices in the Laboratory provides guidance on planning procedures for the handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals. The book offers prudent practices designed to promote safety and includes practical information on assessing hazards, managing chemicals, disposing of wastes, and more. Prudent Practices in the Laboratory will continue to serve as the leading source of chemical safety guidelines for people working with laboratory chemicals: research chemists, technicians, safety officers, educators, and students. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 The Culture of Laboratory Safety 2 Environmental Health and Safety Management System 3 Emergency Planning 4 Evaluating Hazards and Assessing Risks in the Laboratory 5 Management of Chemicals 6 Working with Chemicals 7 Working with Laboratory Equipment 8 Management of Waste 9 Laboratory Facilities 10 Laboratory Security 11 Safety Laws and Standards Pertinent to Laboratories Bibliography APPENDIXES Appendix A: OSHA Laboratory Standard Appendix B: Statement of Task Appendix C: Committee Member Biographies Index

The field of quantum information science (QIS) has witnessed a dramatic rise in scientific research activities in the 21st century as excitement has grown about its potential to revolutionize communications and computing, strengthen encryption, and enhance quantum sensing, among other applications. While, historically, QIS research has been dominated by the field of physics and computer engineering, this report explores how chemistry - in particular the use of molecular qubits - could advance QIS. In turn, researchers are also examining how QIS could be used to solve problems in chemistry, for example, to facilitate new drug and material designs, health and environmental monitoring tools, and more sustainable energy production. Recognizing that QIS could be a disruptive technology with the potential to create groundbreaking products and new industries, Advancing Chemistry and Quantum Information Science calls for U.S. leadership to build a robust enterprise to facilitate and support research at the intersection of chemistry and QIS. This report identifies three key research areas: design and synthesis of molecular qubit systems, measurement and control of molecular quantum systems, and experimental and computational approaches for scaling qubit design and function. Advancing Chemistry and Quantum Information Science recommends that the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and other funding agencies should support multidisciplinary and collaborative research in QIS, the development of new instrumentation, and facilities, centralized and open-access databases, and efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive chemical workforce. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Design and Synthesis of Molecular Qubit Systems 3 Measurement and Control of Molecular Quantum Systems 4 Experimental and Computational Approaches for Scaling Qubit Design and Function 5 Building a Diverse, Quantum-Capable Workforce and Fostering Economic Development at the Intersection of QIS and Chemistry Appendix A: Committee Members' Biographical Sketches Appendix B: Agendas for Information-Gathering Meetings 13 Appendix C: Multidisciplinary Centers Established under the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA) or National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Related QIS Programs Appendix D: Programs Offering QISE (Quantum Information Science and Engineering)-Related Degrees or Certificates Appendix E: Acronyms and Glossary

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are important research locations for many scientific disciplines, including oceanography, biology, and astronomy. Because of its remoteness and the extreme and dangerous weather conditions in which researchers must operate, research in this region presents many unique challenges. New and improved technologies can make Antarctic research safer, more efficient, and capable of covering a greater spatial and temporal range, all while minimizing the costs and environmental impacts of this research. At the request of the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs, the Polar Research Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop on May 3-5, 2022, to solicit broad community ideas regarding how technological developments can advance and expand Antarctic research and polar research more generally. Workshop participants discussed recent and potential technological breakthroughs, cross-cutting research themes, and how new technologies can facilitate broader, more diverse participation in Antarctic research. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions of the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Overview 2 Introduction 3 Technologies for Research and Observational Instrumentation 4 Power and Energy for Polar Research 5 Data and Communications for Polar Research 6 Technology Advances to Expand Participation in Polar Research 7 Partnerships and Mechanisms to Facilitate Development and Application of New Research Technologies 8 Concluding Thoughts References Appendixes Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B: Planning Committee Biographies Appendix C: Workshop Agenda

In thousands of communities across the United States, drinking water is contaminated with chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are used in a wide range of products, such as non-stick cookware, water and stain repellent fabrics, and fire-fighting foam, because they have properties that repel oil and water, reduce friction, and resist temperature changes. PFAS can leak into the environment where they are made, used, disposed of, or spilled. PFAS exposure has been linked to a number of adverse health effects including certain cancers, thyroid dysfunction, changes in cholesterol, and small reductions in birth weight. This report recommends that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update its clinical guidance to advise clinicians to offer PFAS blood testing to patients who are likely to have a history of elevated exposure, such as those with occupational exposures or those who live in areas known to be contaminated. If testing reveals PFAS levels associated with an increased risk of adverse effects, patients should receive regular screenings and monitoring for these and other health impacts. Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up recommends that the CDC, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and public health departments support clinicians by creating educational materials on PFAS exposure, potential health effects, the limitations of testing, and the benefits and harms of testing. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Principles for Decision Making Under Uncertainty 3 Potential Health Effects of PFAS 4 PFAS Exposure Reduction 5 PFAS Testing and Concentrations to Inform Clinical Care of Exposed Patients 6 Guidance for Clinicians on Exposure Determination, PFAS Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up 7 Revising ATSDR's PFAS Clinical Guidance 8 Implementing the Committee's Recommendations to Improve Public Health Appendix A: Committee Member, Staff, and Community Liaison Biographies Appendix B: Summary of the Committee's Town Halls Appendix C: Public Meeting Agendas Appendix D: Evidence Review: Methods and Approach Appendix E: White Paper: Review of the PFAS Personal Intervention Literature

Regular use of sunscreens has been shown to reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer, and slow photoaging of skin. Sunscreens can rinse off into water where people are swimming or wading, and can also enter bodies of water through wastewater such as from bathing or showering. As a result, the ultraviolet (UV) filters - the active ingredients in sunscreens that reduce the amount of UV radiation on skin - have been detected in the water, sediment, and animal tissues in aquatic environments. Because the impact of these filters on aquatic ecosystems is not fully understood, assessment is needed to better understand their environmental impacts. This report calls on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct an ecological risk assessment of UV filters to characterize the possible risks to aquatic ecosystems and the species that live in them. EPA should focus on environments more likely to be exposed such as those with heavy recreational use, or where wastewater and urban runoff enter the water. The risk assessment should cover a broad range of species and biological effects and could consider potential interacting effects among UV filters and with other environmental stresses such as climate change. In addition, the report describes the role of sunscreens in preventing skin cancer and what is known about how human health could be affected by potential changes in usage. While the need for a risk assessment is urgent, research is needed to advance understanding of both risks to the environment from UV filters and impacts to human health from changing sunscreen availability and usage. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Introduction to Sunscreens and Their UV Filters 3 Problem Formulation: Sources, Settings, and Ecological Receptors 4 Fate, Transport, and Potential Exposure in the Environment 5 Bioaccumulation and Measured Concentrations of UV Filters in Biota 6 Review of Studies on the Effects of UV Filters in Aquatic Environments 7 Sunscreen, Preventive Health Behaviors, and Implications of Changes in Sunscreen Use for Public Health 8 Conclusions and Recommendations Appendix A: Committee Member Biographies Appendix B: UV Filter Usage Appendix C: UV Filter Water and Sediment Occurrence Data Appendix D: Supplementary Information for Bioaccumulation Appendix E: UV Filter Toxicity Data Tables Appendix F: Studies on Behavioral and Physiological Endpoints on Select Organic UV Filters Appendix G: Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Units References

In 1943, as part of the Manhattan Project, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation was established with the mission to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. During 45 years of operations, the Hanford Site produced about 67 metric tonnes of plutonium?approximately two-thirds of the nation's stockpile. Production processes generated radioactive and other hazardous wastes and resulted in airborne, surface, subsurface, and groundwater contamination. Presently, 177 underground tanks contain collectively about 210 million liters (about 56 million gallons) of waste. The chemically complex and diverse waste is difficult to manage and dispose of safely. Section 3134 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 calls for a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) to conduct an analysis of approaches for treating the portion of low-activity waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation intended for supplemental treatment. The third of four, this report provides an overall assessment of the FFRDC team's final draft report, dated April 5, 2019. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Context and Setting 2 The Committee's Technical Review of the FFRDC's Final Draft Analysis 3 The Committee's Assessment of the Usefulness for Decision-Makers of the FFRDC's Final Draft Analysis References Appendix A: Section 3134 of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act Appendix B: Statement of Task Appendix C: Presentations at the Committee's Information-Gathering Meetings Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of the Committee, Technical Adviser, and Study Director Appendix E: Acronyms and Abbreviations

The NASA Science Mission Directorate/Earth Science Division's (SMD/ESD's) Earth Venture (EV) is a program element within the Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. At the request of NASA, this report examines the Earth Venture Instrument (EV-I) and Earth Venture Mission (EV-M) elements of Earth Ventures and explores lessons learned in the more than 10 years since selection of the first EV mission, including a review of the foundational principles and approaches underlying the program. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 EV-I and EV-M Experiences to Date 3 Changing Program Emphasis for Earth Venture Missions 4 Meeting the EV-I and EV-M Broader Objectives 5 Lessons Learned and Recommendations Appendixes Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B: Questions for Principal Investigators Appendix C: Committee Member Biographies Appendix D: Acronyms and Abbreviations

Reliable, affordable, and technically recoverable energy is central to the nation's economic and social vitality. The United States is both a major consumer of geologically based energy resources from around the world and - increasingly of late - a developer of its own energy resources. Understanding the national and global availability of those resources as well as the environmental impacts of their development is essential for strategic decision making related to the nation's energy mix. The U.S. Geological Survey Energy Resources Program is charged with providing unbiased and publicly available national- and regional-scale assessments of the location, quantity, and quality of geologically based energy resources and with undertaking research related to their development. At the request of the Energy Resources Program (ERP), this publication considers the nation's geologically based energy resource challenges in the context of current national and international energy outlooks. Future Directions for the U.S. Geological Survey's Energy Resources Program examines how ERP activities and products address those challenges and align with the needs federal and nonfederal consumers of ERP products. This study contains recommendations to develop ERP products over the next 10-15 years that will most effectively inform both USGS energy research priorities and the energy needs and priorities of the U.S. government. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Projected Energy Trends and Geologically Based Energy Challenges 3 The ERP Portfolio with Respect to Energy Challenges 4 Alignment with National and Stakeholder Needs 5 Priorities for the Future 6 Recommendations References Appendix A Committee Biographies Appendix B Information Packet from the Energy Resources Program and ERP Product Examples Appendix C Open Session Agendas Appendix D Board Rosters Appendix E Acronyms

One of the pathways by which the scientific community confirms the validity of a new scientific discovery is by repeating the research that produced it. When a scientific effort fails to independently confirm the computations or results of a previous study, some fear that it may be a symptom of a lack of rigor in science, while others argue that such an observed inconsistency can be an important precursor to new discovery. Concerns about reproducibility and replicability have been expressed in both scientific and popular media. As these concerns came to light, Congress requested that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conduct a study to assess the extent of issues related to reproducibility and replicability and to offer recommendations for improving rigor and transparency in scientific research. Reproducibility and Replicability in Science defines reproducibility and replicability and examines the factors that may lead to non-reproducibility and non-replicability in research. Unlike the typical expectation of reproducibility between two computations, expectations about replicability are more nuanced, and in some cases a lack of replicability can aid the process of scientific discovery. This report provides recommendations to researchers, academic institutions, journals, and funders on steps they can take to improve reproducibility and replicability in science. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary Summary 1 Introduction 2 Scientific Methods and Knowledge 3 Understanding Reproducibility and Replicability 4 Reproducibility 5 Replicability 6 Improving Reproducibility and Replicability 7 Confidence in Science References Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff Appendix B: Agendas of Open Committee Meetings Appendix C: Recommendations Grouped by Stakeholder Appendix D: Using Bayes Analysis for Hypothesis Testing Appendix E: Conducting Replicable Surveys of Scientific Communities

The United States' tradition of conserving fish, wildlife, habitats, and cultural resources dates to the mid-19th century. States have long sought to manage fish and wildlife species within their borders, whereas many early federal conservation efforts focused on setting aside specific places as parks, sanctuaries, or reserves. With advances in landscape ecology over the past quarter-century, conservation planners, scientists, and practitioners began to stress the importance of conservation efforts at the scale of landscapes and seascapes. These larger areas were thought to harbor relatively large numbers of species that are likely to maintain population viability and sustain ecological processes and natural disturbance regimes - often considered critical factors in conserving biodiversity. By focusing conservation efforts at the level of whole ecosystems and landscape, practitioners can better attempt to conserve the vast majority of species in a particular ecosystem. Successfully addressing the large-scale, interlinked problems associated with landscape degradation will necessitate a planning process that bridges different scientific disciplines and across sectors, as well as an understanding of complexity, uncertainty, and the local context of conservation work. The landscape approach aims to develop shared conservation priorities across jurisdictions and across many resources to create a single, collaborative conservation effort that can meet stakeholder needs. Conservation of habitats, species, ecosystem services, and cultural resources in the face of multiple stressors requires governance structures that can bridge the geographic and jurisdictional boundaries of the complex socio-ecological systems in which landscape-level conservation occurs. The Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCC) Network was established to complement and add value to the many ongoing state, tribal, federal, and nongovernmental efforts to address the challenge of conserving species, habitats, ecosystem services, and cultural resources in the face of large-scale and long-term threats, including climate change. A Review of the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives evaluates the purpose, goals, and scientific merits of the LCC program within the context of similar programs, and whether the program has resulted in measurable improvements in the health of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Scientific and Conservation Merits of Landscape-Scale Conservation and the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives 3 Evaluating the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives Network Strategic Plan 4 An Examination of the Evaluation Process for the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives 5 The Landscape Conservation Cooperatives and Other Similar Federal Programs 6 An Assessment of the Early Accomplishments and Likely Long-Term Outcomes and Impacts of the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives Network References Appendix A: Greater Sage-Grouse: A Collaborative Conservation Effort Appendix B: Mississippi River Basin and Gulf Hypoxia: Collaborations Across Multiple LCCs Appendix C: Guidance for Landscape Conservation Planning and Designs Appendix D: Description of Other Federal Programs Appendix E: Secretarial Order No. 3289 Appendix F: Landscape Conservation Cooperatives 2014 Network Strategic Plan Appendix G: Goals of Individual LCCs Compared to Goals of the LCC Network Strategic Plan Appendix H: Committee and Staff Biographies

Research on gene drive systems is rapidly advancing. Many proposed applications of gene drive research aim to solve environmental and public health challenges, including the reduction of poverty and the burden of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, which disproportionately impact low and middle income countries. However, due to their intrinsic qualities of rapid spread and irreversibility, gene drive systems raise many questions with respect to their safety relative to public and environmental health. Because gene drive systems are designed to alter the environments we share in ways that will be hard to anticipate and impossible to completely roll back, questions about the ethics surrounding use of this research are complex and will require very careful exploration. Gene Drives on the Horizon outlines the state of knowledge relative to the science, ethics, public engagement, and risk assessment as they pertain to research directions of gene drive systems and governance of the research process. This report offers principles for responsible practices of gene drive research and related applications for use by investigators, their institutions, the research funders, and regulators. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 The State of Knowledge of the Molecular Biology, Population Genetics, and Ecology of Gene-Drive Modified Organisms 3 Case Studies to Examine Questions About Gene-Drive Modified Organisms 4 Charting Human Values 5 Phased Testing and Scientific Approaches to Reducing Potential Harms of Gene Drives 6 Assessing Risks of Gene-Drive Modified Organisms 7 Engaging Communities, Stakeholders, and Publics 8 Governing Gene Drive Research and Applications 9 Gene Drives on the Horizon: Overarching Considerations Glossary Acronyms Appendix A Agenda for the Workshop on the Science, Ethics, and Governance Considerations for Gene Drive Research Appendix B List of Gene Drive Webinars Appendix C Mosquito Control Strategies Appendix D Rodent Control Strategies Appendix E A Brief History of Ecological Risk Assessment Appendix F Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

Fusion energy offers the prospect of addressing the nation's energy needs and contributing to the transition to a low-carbon emission electrical generation infrastructure. Technology and research results from U.S. investments in the major fusion burning plasma experiment known as ITER, coupled with a strong foundation of research funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), position the United States to begin planning for its first fusion pilot plant. Strong interest from the private sector is an additional motivating factor, as the process of decarbonizing and modernizing the nation's electric infrastructure accelerates and companies seek to lead the way. At the request of DOE, Bringing Fusion to the U.S. Grid builds upon the work of the 2019 report Final Report of the Committee on a Strategic Plan for U.S. Burning Plasma Research to identify the key goals and innovations - independent of confinement concept - that are needed to support the development of a U.S. fusion pilot plant that can serve as a model for producing electricity at the lowest possible capital cost. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Role of the Pilot Plant on the Path to Commercialization 3 Goals for a Fusion Pilot Plant 4 Innovations and Research Needed to Address Key Fusion Pilot Plant Goals 5 Strategy and Roadmap for a Pilot Plant Appendixes Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B: Biographies of Committee Members Appendix C: Committee Meeting Agendas

In the last few decades great strides have been made in chemistry at the nanoscale, where the atomic granularity of matter and the exact positions of individual atoms are key determinants of structure and dynamics. Less attention, however, has been paid to the mesoscale-it is at this scale, in the range extending from large molecules (10 nm) through viruses to eukaryotic cells (10 microns), where interesting ensemble effects and the functionality that is critical to macroscopic phenomenon begins to manifest itself and cannot be described by laws on the scale of atoms and molecules alone. To further explore how knowledge about mesoscale phenomena can impact chemical research and development activities and vice versa, the Chemical Sciences Roundtable of the National Research Council convened a workshop on mesoscale chemistry in November 2014. With a focus on the research on chemical phenomena at the mesoscale, participants examined the opportunities that utilizing those behaviors can have for developing new catalysts, adding new functionality to materials, and increasing our understanding of biological and interfacial systems. The workshop also highlighted some of the challenges for analysis and description of mesoscale structures. This report summarizes the presentations and discussion of the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction and Overview 2 Growing (Up) from the Nanoscale to the Mesoscale 3 Catalysis 4 Membrane Behavior and Microchemical Systems 5 Biomineralization and Geochemical Processes 6 Computational/Chemical Processes in Self-Assembly References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: About the Chemical Sciences Roundtable Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Workshop Speakers and Organizing Committee Members Appendix D: Workshop Attendees

Climate is changing, forced out of the range of the past million years by levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases not seen in the Earth's atmosphere for a very, very long time. Lacking action by the world's nations, it is clear that the planet will be warmer, sea level will rise, and patterns of rainfall will change. But the future is also partly uncertain-there is considerable uncertainty about how we will arrive at that different climate. Will the changes be gradual, allowing natural systems and societal infrastructure to adjust in a timely fashion? Or will some of the changes be more abrupt, crossing some threshold or "tipping point" to change so fast that the time between when a problem is recognized and when action is required shrinks to the point where orderly adaptation is not possible? Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change is an updated look at the issue of abrupt climate change and its potential impacts. This study differs from previous treatments of abrupt changes by focusing on abrupt climate changes and also abrupt climate impacts that have the potential to severely affect the physical climate system, natural systems, or human systems, often affecting multiple interconnected areas of concern. The primary timescale of concern is years to decades. A key characteristic of these changes is that they can come faster than expected, planned, or budgeted for, forcing more reactive, rather than proactive, modes of behavior. Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change summarizes the state of our knowledge about potential abrupt changes and abrupt climate impacts and categorizes changes that are already occurring, have a high probability of occurrence, or are unlikely to occur. Because of the substantial risks to society and nature posed by abrupt changes, this report recommends the development of an Abrupt Change Early Warning System that would allow for the prediction and possible mitigation of such changes before their societal impacts are severe. Identifying key vulnerabilities can help guide efforts to increase resiliency and avoid large damages from abrupt change in the climate system, or in abrupt impacts of gradual changes in the climate system, and facilitate more informed decisions on the proper balance between mitigation and adaptation. Although there is still much to learn about abrupt climate change and abrupt climate impacts, to willfully ignore the threat of abrupt change could lead to more costs, loss of life, suffering, and environmental degradation. Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change makes the case that the time is here to be serious about the threat of tipping points so as to better anticipate and prepare ourselves for the inevitable surprises. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Abrupt Changes of Primary Concern 3 Areas of Concern for Humans from Abrupt Changes 4 The Way Forward References Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

The Earth's population, currently 7.2 billion, is expected to rise at a rapid rate over the next 40 years. Current projections state that the Earth will need to support 9.6 billion people by the year 2050, a figure that climbs to nearly 11 billion by the year 2100. At the same time, most people envision a future Earth with a greater average standard of living than we currently have - and, as a result, greater consumption of our planetary resources. How do we prepare our planet for a future population of 10 billion? How can this population growth be achieved in a manner that is sustainable from an economic, social, and environmental perspective? Can Earth's and Society's Systems Meet the Needs of 10 Billion People? is the summary of a multi-disciplinary workshop convened by the National Academies in October 2013 to explore how to increase the world's population to 10 billion in a sustainable way while simultaneously increasing the well-being and standard of living for that population. This report examines key issues in the science of sustainability that are related to overall human population size, population growth, aging populations, migration toward cities, differential consumption, and land use change, by different subpopulations, as viewed through the lenses of both social and natural science. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 The Human-Earth System 3 Challenges to the Earth System: Character and Magnitude of the Challenges in 2050 4 Challenges to the Earth System: Consequences for the Earth System 5 Special Presentation: Extreme Events 6 Resource Distribution and Global Inequality 7 Interaction Between Earth and Societal Systems References Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Workshop Participants Appendix C: Acronyms Appendix D: Biographical Sketches of Workshop Presenters

During geologic spans of time, Earth's shifting tectonic plates, atmosphere, freezing water, thawing ice, flowing rivers, and evolving life have shaped Earth's surface features. The resulting hills, mountains, valleys, and plains shelter ecosystems that interact with all life and provide a record of Earth surface processes that extend back through Earth's history. Despite rapidly growing scientific knowledge of Earth surface interactions, and the increasing availability of new monitoring technologies, there is still little understanding of how these processes generate and degrade landscapes. Landscapes on the Edge identifies nine grand challenges in this emerging field of study and proposes four high-priority research initiatives. The book poses questions about how our planet's past can tell us about its future, how landscapes record climate and tectonics, and how Earth surface science can contribute to developing a sustainable living surface for future generations. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 The Importance of Earth Surface Processes 2 Grand Challenges in Earth Surface Processes 3 Four High-Priority Research Initiatives in Earth Surface Processes 4 Mechanisms for Developing Initiatives and Sustaining Growth in Earth Surface Processes References Appendixes Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff Appendix B: Community Input Appendix C: Observing and Measuring Earth Surface Processes Appendix D: Achievements in Earth Surface Processes Appendix E: List of Acronyms

Biological physics, or the physics of living systems, has emerged fully as a field of physics, alongside more traditional fields of astrophysics and cosmology, atomic, molecular and optical physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, and plasma physics. This new field brings the physicist's style of inquiry to bear on the beautiful phenomena of life. The enormous range of phenomena encountered in living systems - phenomena that often have no analog or precedent in the inanimate world - means that the intellectual agenda of biological physics is exceptionally broad, even by the ambitious standards of physics. Physics of Life is the first decadal survey of this field, as part of a broader decadal survey of physics. This report communicates the importance of biological physics research; addresses what must be done to realize the promise of this new field; and provides guidance for informed decisions about funding, workforce, and research directions. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary Introduction and Overview Part I: Exploring Big Questions 1 What Physics Problems Do Organisms Need to Solve? 2 How Do Living Systems Represent and Process Information? 3 How Do Macroscopic Functions of Life Emerge from Interactions Among Many Microscopic Constituents? 4 How Do Living Systems Navigate Parameter Space? Part II: Connections 5 Relation to Other Fields of Physics 6 Biology and Chemistry 7 Health, Medicine, and Technology Part III: Realizing the Promise 8 Education 9 Funding, Collaboration, and Coordination 10 Building an Inclusive Community Appendixes Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B: Recommendations Appendix C: Queries to Funding Agencies Appendix D: Agency Missions Appendix E: Details Regarding NSF and NIH Grants Appendix F: Minimal Support Levels Appendix G: Committee Biographies

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with petroleum accounting for 90 percent of transportation fuels. Policymakers encounter a range of questions as they consider low-carbon fuel standards to reduce emissions, including total emissions released from production to use of a fuel or the potential consequences of a policy. Life-cycle assessment is an essential tool for addressing these questions. This report provides researchers and practitioners with a toolkit for applying life-cycle assessment to estimate greenhouse gas emissions, including identification of the best approach to use for a stated policy goal, how to reduce uncertainty and variability through verification and certification, and the core assumptions that can be applied to various fuel types. Policymakers should still use a tailored approach for each fuel type, given that petroleum-based ground, air, and marine transportation fuels necessitate different considerations than alternative fuels including biofuels, hydrogen, and electricity. Ultimately, life-cycle assessments should clearly document what assumptions and methods are used to ensure transparency. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary Part I: Background and Policy Context for Life-Cycle Analysis 1 Introduction and Policy Context 2 Fundamentals of Life-Cycle Assessment 3 Life-Cycle Assessment in a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Policy Part II: General Considerations for Life-Cycle Analysis 4 Key Considerations: Direct and Indirect Effects, Uncertainty, Variability, and Scale of Production 5 Verification 6 Specific Methodological Issues Relevant to a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Part III: Specific Fuel Issues for Life-Cycle Analysis 7 Fossil and Gaseous Fuels for Road Transportation 8 Aviation and Maritime Fuels 9 Biofuels 10 Electricity as a Vehicle Fuel Appendix A: Conclusions and Recommendations Appendix B: Committee Members' Biographical Sketches Appendix C: Open Session Agendas