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"Sensitive but Unclassified" Information and Other Controls: Policy and Options for Scientific and Technical Information
This report traces the evolution of "sensitive but unclassified" or SBU-related controls; summarizes actions taken to protect certain types of scientific and technical information; describes critiques of some control policies; and summarizes proposals and actions, including congressional, executive and other initiatives, to clarify these issues and develop policies that serve various stakeholders. It also raises issues that may warrant further attention.
Biotechnology: Commercialization of Academic Research
This report provides an overview of the commercialization of academic research h in the field of biotechnology. It offers a brief definition, background and policy analysis, as well as legislation and hearings regarding the topic.
Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2006
This report discusses federal research and development (R&D) funding. The Bush Administration requested $132.4 billion in R&D funding for FY2006. This sum represents a $400 million increase over the FY2005 estimated funding level of $132 billion.
Science and Technology Policy: Issues for the 109th Congress
No Description Available.
Proposal to Map and Sequence the Human Genome
No Description Available.
Balancing Scientific Publication and National Security Concerns: Issues for Congress
There is a lack of consensus regarding the best method of balancing scientific publishing and national security. The current federal policy, as described in National Security Decision Directive 189, is that fundamental research should remain unrestricted and that in the rare case where it is necessary to restrict such information, classification is the appropriate vehicle to do so. Other mechanisms restrict international information flow, where Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) control export of items and technical information on specific lists. Both EAR and ITAR contain a fundamental research exclusion, but this exclusion is lost if prepublication review of research results for sensitive information occurs.
The Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Funding Issues and Activities
This report discusses the High-Performance Computing and Communications Program Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-194), which was passed to enhance the effectiveness of the various high-performance computing programs. The HPCC Program has evolved over time and is now called the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program, to better reflect its expanded mission.
Foreign Science and Engineering Presence in U.S. Institutions and the Labor Force
The increased presence of foreign students in graduate science and engineering programs and in the scientific workforce has been and continues to be of concern to some in the scientific community. Enrollment of U.S. citizens in graduate science and engineering programs has not kept pace with that of foreign students in those programs. In addition to the number of foreign students in graduate science and engineering programs, a significant number of university faculty in the scientific disciplines are foreign, and foreign doctorates are employed in large numbers by industry. This report examines these issues and discusses their policy implications.
Stem Cell Research
No Description Available.
Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2006
This report discusses federal research and development (R&D) funding. The Bush Administration has requested $132.2 billion in federal research and development (R&D) funding for FY2006. This sum represents a $505 million increase over the FY2005 estimated funding level of $131.7 billion. In real dollars, total federal R&D would decline for the first time since FY1996.
Cooperative R&D: Federal Efforts to Promote Industrial Competitiveness
In response to the foreign challenge in the global marketplace, the United States Congress has explored ways to stimulate technological advancement in the private sector. The government has supported various efforts to promote cooperative research and development activities among industry, universities, and the federal R&D establishment designed to increase the competitiveness of American industry and to encourage the generation of new products, processes, and services. Among the issues before Congress are whether joint ventures contribute to industrial competitiveness and what role, if any, the government has in facilitating such arrangements.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
The government spends approximately one-third of the $83 billion federal R&D budget for intramural research and development to meet mission requirements in over 700 government laboratories (including Federally Funded Research and Development Centers). The technology and expertise generated by this endeavor may have application beyond the immediate goals or intent of federally funded R&D.
Federal Research and Development: Budgeting and Priority-Setting Issues, 108th Congress
No Description Available.
Climate Change: Federal Expenditures for Science and Technology
This report identifies and discusses direct climate-focused scientific and research programs of the federal government, as well as an array of energy programs that relate indirectly to climate change.
Daylight Saving Time
Currently, in most parts of the United States, timepieces are moved forward one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall to provide an extended daylight period during the summer months. This is known as Daylight Saving Time (DST). Much debate and many changes led to this present practice. This report provides a brief history of the issues surrounding DST, an outline of the legislation that created and modified it, and a list of references to more discussions.
Risk Assessment in the President's National Strategy for Homeland Security
No Description Available.
Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Research and Development: Funding, Organization, and Oversight
This report provides information about the Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Research and Development: Funding, Organization, and Oversight. Federal funding for counterterrorism R&D has increased substantially in the last three years.
Stem Cell Research
Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body and they may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. In August 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time federal funds would be used to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding would be limited to “existing stem cell lines.”
Stem Cell Research
Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body, and they may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. In August 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time federal funds would be used to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding would be limited to “existing stem cell lines.” The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry, which lists 78 stem cell lines that are eligible for use in federally funded research. However, only 22 embryonic stem cell lines are currently available. Scientists are concerned about the quality, and longevity of these stem cell lines.
Homeland Security and Combating Terrorism Research and Development: Funding, Organization, and Oversight
This report provides information about the Funding, Organization, and Oversight on Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Research and Development. Federal funding to counterterrorism and R&D has increased substantially in the last three years.
Homeland Security Research and Development Funding, Organization, and Oversight
P.L. 107-296, the Homeland Security Act, consolidated some research and development (R&D) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), whose FY2006 R&D budget was requested at $1.368 billion, about 4% more than FY2005, enacted. The House passed H.R. 1817, an FY2006 authorization bill, which would expand DHS’s R&D, and H.R. 2360, which would appropriate $1.340 billion for these activities. Senate action is pending. DHS is mandated to coordinate all federal agency homeland security R&D, which was requested at $4.0 billion. Policy issues relating to DHS’s R&D includes priority-setting, eliminating possible waste in technology programs, performance monitoring, and interagency coordination. This report will be updated.
The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center: Issues for Congress
The construction of the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC), with an estimated construction cost of $128 million, will be the The first Department of Homeland Security laboratory specifically focused on biodefense. Its programmatic contents and component organization are unclear, as conflicting the information has been provided during each of the past three budget cycles. Congressional oversight of programs, especially those performed in federal facilities for homeland security purposes, is considered key to maintaining transparency in biodefense. Policy issues that may interest Congress include funding for the construction of the NBACC facility, transparency of research activities performed through the center, and the potential for duplication of effort between the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies. This report will be updated as circumstances warrant.
Stem Cell Research
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Cooperative R&D: Federal Efforts to Promote Industrial Competitiveness
In response to the foreign challenge in the global marketplace, the United States Congress has explored ways to stimulate technological advancement in the private sector. The government has supported various efforts to promote cooperative research and development activities among industry, universities, and the federal R&D establishment designed to increase the competitiveness of American industry and to encourage the generation of new products, processes, and services. Among the issues before Congress are whether joint ventures contribute to industrial competitiveness and what role, if any, the government has in facilitating such arrangements.
The National Ignition Facility: Management, Technical, and Other Issues
No Description Available.
Desalination R and D: The New Federal Program
The purpose of the program is to determine the most technologically efficient and cost- effective means by which useable water can be produced from saline water or water otherwise impaired or contaminated. Currently, the cost of desalting seawater is 3 to 5 times the comparable cost of desalting brackish water, which is up to twice as expensive as the treatment and delivery of other municipal water supplies (not counting sewage-related costs). Funding for the new Desalination R&D Program is provided through Bureau of Reclamation's Office of Research in the Department of the Interior
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004: National Standards for Drivers' Licenses, Social Security Cards, and Birth Certificates
In its comprehensive report to the nation, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) recommended that the federal government set national standards for the issuance of identification documents including drivers’ licenses, social security cards, and birth certificates. The Commission noted that identity fraud is no longer simply a matter of theft, but now complicates the government’s ability to adequately ensure public safety at vulnerable facilities including airport terminals, train stations, bus stations, and other entry points.
Manipulating Molecules: The National Nanotechnology Initiative
No Description Available.
Asset Distribution of Taxable Estates: An Analysis
This report provides data on the distribution of assets in taxable estates that filed returns in 1998. The report also offers a brief overview of the estate and gift tax and "The Death Tax Elimination Act of 2000," which was passed in the 106th Congress and vetoed. This report finds that farm and business assets represent a small share of the total value of taxable estate tax returns filed in 1998. For an overview of estate tax, see CRS Report RL30600, Estate and Gift Taxes: Economic Issues, by Jane G. Gravelle and Steven Maguire. This report will be updated as new data becomes available.
Manipulating Molecules: The National Nanotechnology Initiative
No Description Available.
Manipulating Molecules: The National Nanotechnology Initiative
No Description Available.
Manipulating Molecules: The National Nanotechnology Initiative
The Administration has requested $498 million for nanotechnology research, a $228 million increase over FY2000. Nanotechnology is a newly emerging field of science where scientists and engineers are beginning to manipulate matters at the molecular and atomic level in order to obtain materials and systems with significantly improved properties. Ten nanometers is equal to one-thousandths the diameter of human hair.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Technology Transfer: Use of Federally Funded Research and Development
No Description Available.
Point and Click: Internet Searching Techniques
No Description Available.
Point and Click: Internet Search Engines, Subject Guides, and Searching Techniques
No Description Available.
Grants Information for Constituents
This report mainly discusses about the Grants Information for Constituents and key sources of information on government and private grants for state and community projects.
Science and Technology Policy: Issues for the 109th Congress
No Description Available.
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