"What news from the sea?"

The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has published findings from research it conducted on reviewer and applicant perceptions of criteria usage and risk evaluation in grant peer review.

In 2001, AIBS SPARS provided a key peer review for the work of Army Materiel Command Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. G. Richard Price. Price is a retired Army scientist whose research has been focused in the areas of noise and hearing. AIBS SPARS provided peer review on a model developed by Price and his team, the Auditory Hazard Assessment Algorithm for Humans. This is still the only method of assessing noise hazard for the entire range of impulses that are relevant to all of DOD. For more on Price and his remarkable career, click here.

A recent New York Times article highlights the important role that science can play in international diplomacy and development. This article reports on the positive outcomes of programs to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa. These efforts contributed to better public health in Africa and, according to survey data, have enhanced the perception and reputation of the United States among individuals in the countries where these programs were conducted. This good will is nice, but it is also beneficial to efforts to combat terrorism, and tackle environmental and public health threats that do not respect geographic boundaries.

AIBS research and publications on the science of peer review have recently had some significant impact on research policy making in Canada.