Driven by Warming, Plants in Western Europe are Climbing to Higher Altitudes

To escape warming temperatures, some plants are taking up residence in higher, cooler locales, but the upward climb of these forest plants could disrupt mountain ecosystems, says new research in the 27 June issue of Science.Jonathan Lenoir and his research team surveyed 171 plant species in Western Europe and found an average upward shift of 29 meters per decade, give or take about 11 meters. The shift happened over the course of the 20th century, with the steepest climb occurring between 1971 and 1993, when the average shift was nearly 65 meters per decade.

By AAAS, USA.

Climate Policy Resource.

U.S. School Board Trainers to Get Ambitious New Science Resources Today

With science, mathematics and technology studies of increasing concern to U.S. school leaders, AAAS and the National School Boards Association will debut cutting-edge science-related materials and a new Web site today at a conference of school board trainers in Virginia.The materials have been developed over the past 18 months, based in large part on extensive work with elected school board members and other stakeholders in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Most state school board associations employ trainers to help prepare local board members for their work, and trainers at the three-day conference in Alexandria, Va. are expected to convey word of the new materials to boards and members in their states.

By AAAS, USA.

Education Policy Resource.

Middle-Grade Science and Math Teachers Go Back to School

For three years after a long day in their own classrooms, 48 Washington, D.C., teachers of middle-grade math or science teachers would arrive at AAAS for three-hour evening classes once a week. Some of them wore workout clothes, many snacked during class, and a few had their children playing quietly on the sidelines. All of them had enthusiastic reasons for why they would devote their time to attending evening and summer classes and meeting in small groups on weekends. Deepening their knowledge as a way to improve their teaching, building their confidence, completing a master's program for free and being eligible for pay raises topped their list of reasons.

By AAAS, USA.

Education Policy Resource.

Amnesty International welcomes US Supreme Court decision

Reacting to today's US Supreme Court ruling recognizing the right of foreign nationals detained in Guantánamo Bay to challenge their detention in US civilian courts, Amnesty International said the decision was an "essential step forward towards the restoration of the rule of law."

By I, USA.

Humanitarian Intervention Policy Resource.