CSTL PROJECTS IN THE NEWS 

This website contains links and references to external content that is not the work of the National Academies.  This content does not represent a comprehensive collection of material on a given topic, and the opinions and statements included in the content are solely those of the individual authors or organizations.  They have not been verified as accurate, nor do they necessarily represent the views of the National Academies. 

Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, Third Edition
Six Party Symposia on Synthetic Biology
Anthrax Mailings Report 
University Intellectual Property Report
Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing Workshop
Synthetic Biology Symposium
Forensic Science Report
Science and Security Report

Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, Third Edition

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IN THE NEWS

October 3, 2011

National Law Journal, "D.C. Judge Behind Updated Judicial Science Guidelines"

September 30, 2011

Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, "New Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence Published"

September 29, 2011

Law Technology News, "Science Manual for Judges Updated"

Six Party Symposia on Synthetic Biology

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IN THE NEWS

September 2, 2011

Science, "Synthetic Biology: Regulating Industry Uses of New Biotechnologies"

April 14, 2011

The Guardian, "How Do Synthetic Biologists Keep the Support of the Public"

Review of the Scientific Approaches Used During the FBI's Investigation of the 2001 Anthrax Mailings                                                                                                               

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IN THE NEWS

October 28, 2011

New York Times, "The Anthrax Investigation: The View from the FBI"

National Public Radio Science Friday, "Scientific Case Still Open on 2001 Anthrax Attacks"

ProPublica, "The FBI Responds to Our Anthrax Stories"

October 16, 2011

Los Angeles Times, "Science in Anthrax Letter Case Comes Under Attack"

October 15, 2011 (Special Edition 3 - 2011)

Journal of Bioterrorism & Biodefense, "The 2001 Attack Anthrax: Key Observations"

October 14, 2011

ProPublica, "Despite Evidence of FBI Bungling, New Probe Into Anthrax Killings Unlikely"

October 13, 2011

NBC Washington, "Scientists Question Government's 2001 Anthrax Attacks Conclusion"

October 11, 2011

FRONTLINE, "The Anthrax Files"

October 10, 2011

Associated Press, "Skeptical Scientists Prepare Research Paper Questioning Anthrax Investigation Findings"

ProPublica, "New Evidence Adds Doubt to FBI's Case Against Anthrax Suspect"

October 9, 2011

New York Times, "Scientists’ Analysis Disputes F.B.I. Closing of Anthrax Case"

October 2, 2011

CNN, "Death by Mail: The Anthrax Letters"

USA Today, "Al Qaeda Lab Lingers in Anthrax Story"

September 30, 2011

USA Today, "Strides in Biodefense Follow 2001 Anthrax Scare"

September 2, 2011

Kansas City Star, "Sen. Grassley Asks Justice Department to Explain Contradictory Acts on Anthrax"

July 19, 2011

New York Times, "U.S. Revises Its Response to Lawsuit on Anthrax"

ProPublica, "Justice Department Filing Casts Doubt on Guilt of Bruce Ivins, Accused in Anthrax Case"

Philly.com, "New Doubt on a Pillar of Anthrax-Letter Cases"

July 18, 2011

FRONTLINE, "New Documents Cast Doubt on Federal Anthrax Case"

May 25, 2011

Representative Jerrold "Nadler Seeks Answers from FBI on Anthrax Investigation"

May 19, 2011

Seattle Times, "FBI Lab Reports on Anthrax Attacks Suggest Another Miscue"

April 16, 2011

Washington Post, "How Anthrax Sleuths Cracked the Case by Decoding Genetic "Fingerprints"

March 24, 2011

Wired Magazine, "Anthrax Redux: Did the Feds Nab the Wrong Guy?"

March 22, 2011

Los Angeles Times, "Report Faults Army in 2001 Anthrax Mailings"

February 17, 2011

Newsweek, "Forensics Under the Microscope: More Courts Are Beginning to Question the 'Facts' Proved by Scientific Evidence"

NTI: Global Security Newswire, "Lawmaker Seeks New Anthrax Mailings Probe"

February 16, 2011

Los Angeles Times, "Evidence Linking Anthrax to Bruce Ivins 'not as definitive as stated,' Panel Says"

Frederick NewsPost, "Report Casts Doubt on FBI's Investigation of Anthrax Attacks"

CIDRAP News, "Anthrax Expert Says NRC Report Supports FBI"

February 15, 2011

New York Times, "Expert Panel is Critical of F.B.I. Work in Investigating Anthrax Letters"

Washington Post, "Anthrax Report Casts Doubt on Scientific Evidence in FBI Case Against Bruce Ivins"

Associated Press, "Panel: FBI Overstated Science in Anthrax Probe"

USA Today, "Panel Can't Rule Out Other Sources of Deadly Anthrax Spores"

Reuters, "Scientists Question U.S. Anthrax Attacks Evidence"

National Public Radio, "FBI Faulted for Overstating Science in Anthrax Case"

CNN, "Scientific Review Reaches No Conclusion on Source of Anthrax"

ABC News, "Panel Review Questions FBI Theory in Anthrax Attacks After 9/11"

MSNBC, "Scientists: FBI Ovestated Anthrax Evidence.  Agency Responds That Conclusion Didn't Depend Solely on Scientific Material"

Wall Street Journal, "Panel Questions Key Evidence in Anthrax Case"

ScienceInsider, "Study Questions Government Case on Anthrax Attacks"

Nature: The Great Beyond, "Science Falls Short in Anthrax Investigation"

Hartford Courant, "Scientists Cast Doubt on Anthrax Murder Probe. Oxford Woman Was Victim of Deadly 2001 Attack"

AOL News, "Report Casts Doubts on Scientific Findings in Anthrax Case"

Chemical & Engineering News, "Uncertainty Plagues Anthrax Probe. Investigation: Molecular Techniques Don't Identify the Source of Anthrax Used in 2001 Attacks, NRC Report Says"

Fox News, "Panel Finds No Conclusive Evidence to Identify Source of 2001 Anthrax Attacks"

PBS NewsHour, "Science Alone Won't Close the Case on Anthrax, Committee Says"

Washington Examiner, "Report Questions FBI's Findings in Anthrax Probe"

ProPublica, "Science Review Casts Doubt on Some Evidence in FBI's Anthrax Investigation"

CIDRAP News, "NRC: Data Insufficient For Firm Conclusion in Anthrax Case"

Representative Rush Holt reintroduces the Anthrax Attacks Investigation Act, legislation that would establish a Congressional commission to investigate the 2001 anthrax attacks and the federal government’s response to and investigation of the attacks.

December 10, 2010

ScienceInsider, "New FBI Material Delays Academy Report on Anthrax Attacks"

Nature: The Great Beyond, "FBI Asks for Delay on Anthrax Report"

Associated Press, "Science Review of Anthrax Probe Extended"

Frederick News Post, "Amerithrax Review Delayed After FBI Releases More Documents"

December 9, 2010

McClatchy Newspapers, "FBI Wants to Delay Report on 2001 Anthrax Attacks"

AFP, "Delay in US Anthrax Report Prompts Concern"

New York Times, "FBI Asks Panel to Delay Report on Anthrax Inquiry"

September 17, 2010

Frederick News Post, GAO to Review FBI's Ivins Investigation

September 16, 2010

New York Times, "New Review in Anthrax Inquiry"

Los Angeles Times, "FBI's Scientific Methods in Anthrax Case to be Examined by Investigative Arm of Congress"

September 15, 2010

Wall Street Journal, "New Review of FBI's Work in Anthrax Letters Case"

April 23, 2010

New York Times, "Colleague Disputes Case Against Anthrax Suspect"

Frederick News Post, "Co-worker: Ivins Didn't Do It"

ScienceInsider, "Ex-USAMRIID Scientist Defends Bruce Ivins Using Back-of-the-Envelope Math"

March 24, 2010

Canada Free Press, "Obama Obstructs Oversight of FBI in Anthrax Case"

March 19, 2010

Science, "Anthrax Investigation: Silicon Mystery Endures in Solved Anthrax Case"

February 27, 2010

New York Times, "The F.B.I.'s Anthrax Case"

February 25, 2010

Asia Times, "Doubts Cloud Closing of Anthrax Case"

February 19, 2010

New York Times, "F.B.I., Laying Out Evidence, Closes Anthrax Case"

National Public Radio, "FBI Ends Nine-Year Probe of Anthrax Attacks"

September 29, 2009

Frederick News-Post, "Expert: Anthrax Spore Coatings not Unique"

September 25, 2009

Frederick News-Post, "Panel Continues Study of Anthrax Mailings"

September 4, 2009

The Brown and White, "Gast Heads Review Panel for '01 Anthrax Scare"

August 4, 2009

USA Today, "Anthrax Case Not Closed: Panel Reviews Bruce Ivins, Mail Probe"

August 2, 2009

The Raw Story, "Holt on Anthrax Mailings: Investigate the Investigators"

August 1, 2009

Frederick News-Post, "Experts Urge Panel to Deepen Forensic Understanding"

July 31, 2009

Frederick News-Post, "Dubious Study"

Frederick News-Post, "Group Begins Scientific Review of FBI's Anthrax Investigation"

Washington Post, "Lawmaker 'Skeptical' of Anthrax Results"

Nature: The Great Beyond, "Anthrax Investigation Probe Underway"

WHAG-TV, "Expert Panel to Review Anthrax Case"

July 30, 2009

Associated Press, "Review Begins of FBI Science in Anthrax Case"

July 27, 2009

Frederick News Post, "Anthrax Case: Seeking An Ending - A Year After Bruce Ivins’ Death, Case Remains Open and Questions Persist"

July 26, 2009

Associated Press, "U.S. on Verge of Closing Anthrax Probe After 8 Years"

WBAL, "DOJ Close to Wrapping Up Anthrax Case"

July 8, 2009

Town Topics, "Review of the FBI’s Anthrax Investigation Taking Shape at the National Academies"

May 6, 2009

ScienceInsider, "FBI Anthrax Investigation Under Scientific Review"

September 17, 2008

Washington Post, "FBI to Get Expert Help in Anthrax Inquiry"

Managing University Intellectual Property in the Public Interest 

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IN THE NEWS

November 4, 2010

Science Progress, "Moving Ideas from University to Marketplace"

October 7, 2010

ScienceInsider, "Universities Are Trying Too Hard to Cash In on Discoveries, Says Academy Panel"

October 5, 2010

Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, "Report: University Ownership of Intellectual Property from Publicly Funded Research is Effective, but Improvements Needed"

Inside Higher Ed, "Tweaking Technology Transfer"

San Francisco Chronicle, "Research Council Cheers Law on University Patents"

October 4, 2010

St. Louis Beacon, "Process of Turning Ideas into Money Could Use a Few Tweaks"

Chronicle of Higher Education, "Report Urges Universities to be More Realistic in Tech-Transfer Hopes and Deals"

Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Summary of a Workshop 

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IN THE NEWS

October 2009 Issue

Skin and Allergy News, "Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests Seen as Problematic"

Opportunities and Challenges in the Emerging Field of Synthetic Biology: A Symposium        

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IN THE NEWS

August 30, 2009

USA Today, "'Synthetic Biology' Holds Promise, but Doubts Simmer"

August 3, 2009

Chemical & Engineering News, "Synthetic Biology: Rapidly Emerging Field Opens Many Opportunities but also Poses Difficult Challenges"

July 14, 2009

National Public Radio, The Kojo Nnamdi Show, "Synthetic Biology"

July 13, 2009

BNA Daily Environment Report, "Biotechnology Forum Explores Benefits, Risks, Role Of Government in Synthetic Biology"

July 10, 2009

Nature: The Great Beyond, "Shiny Happy Biology"

Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward        

Project Information

IN THE NEWS

December 28, 2011

New Scientist, "Miscarriage of Justice Points to Fingerprint Flaws"

December 21, 2011 

Anderson Cooper 360°, "Bite Marks Led to Wrongful Conviction"

December 20, 2011

Anderson Cooper 360°, "Is Blood Spatter Evidence Junk Science?"

December 7, 2011

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Hearing "Turning the Investigation on the Science of Forensics"

May 31, 2011

Washington Post, "D.C. Crime Lab Needs Better Transparency Measures"

May 18, 2011

Nature, "Forensics: The Call of the Crime Lab"

May 9, 2011

USA Today, "Judges Growing Critical of 'CSI' Evidence"

University of Dayton News, "Flies, Microbes and Time of Death"

April 16, 2011

 IndyStar.com, "Bill to Move Toxicology Lab Gets Makeover"

April 3, 2011

Associated Press, "Colorado Seeks to Change Patchwork Autopsy System"

March 31, 2011

Nature, "Courtroom Drama: Forensic Science Faces Rough Justice on Both Sides of the Atlantic"

March 21, 2011

Philly.com, "On the Defense: Criminal Science"

March 14, 2011

Reason Magazine, "Getting Forensics Right"

February 23, 2011

National Ocean Service, "NOAA and Partners Prepare to 'Raise the Bar' in Wildlife Forensics"

February 17, 2011

Newsweek, "Forensics Under the Microscope: More Courts Are Beginning to Question the 'Facts' Proved by Scientific Evidence"

Februay 6, 2011

National Public Radio, "Is The 'CSI Effect' Influencing Courtrooms?"

February 1, 2011

FRONTLINE, "Post Mortem: Death Investigation in America"

January 25, 2011

Senator Patrick Leahy Introduces Forensic Reform Legislation

December 24, 2010

ScienceInsider, "Science in the Obama White House: An Interview With John Holdren, Part 2"

December 17, 2010

Senator Patrick Leahy to Introduce Forensics Reform Legislation in New Congress

November 19, 2010

Arizona Republic, "Arizona Crime Labs Need Reform Experts Say"

November 7, 2010

Boston Globe, "The Case Against Evidence"

November 2010 Issue

ABA Journal, CSI Breakdown

October 13, 2010

Boston Globe, "The Myth of CSI"

September 20, 2010

New York Times, "Anatomy of a Misdiagnosis"

September 3, 2010

Voice of OC, "A Battle Over Who Should Run Orange County's DNA Lab"

August 23, 2010

Reason.com, "North Carolina's Corrupted Crime Lab"

July 30, 2010

Voice of OC, "Maintaining a Wall Between the Courtroom and the Laboratory"

July 26, 2010

Houston Chronicle, "Science Defeats DA 8-0"

July 22, 2010

naturenews, "Forensic Science Braces for Change: FBI Laboratory Chief is Optimistic Despite Severe Criticism and Challenges Ahead"

July 9, 2010

Forensic Magazine, "Admissibility of Michigan Blood-Alcohol Tests in Question"

May 27, 2010

Washington CityPaper, "Defense Contests Former O.J. Simpson Forensic Expert's Qualifications in Robert Wone Trial"

April 9, 2010

The Australian, "State Puts DNA and Forensics Under Microscope"

April 1, 2010

Newsweek, "But it Works on T.V.!  Forensic 'Science' Often Isn't."

March 29, 2010

Boston Globe, "U.S. Judge Urges Skepticism on Forensic Evidence; Gertner Says She'll Expect Defense Lawyers to Challenge its Validity"

March 22, 2010

New Scientist, "Fingerprints Put Forensics on Trial"

March 18, 2010 Issue

Nature, "Science in Court"

March 1, 2010

AMSTATNews, "Weak Forensic Science Has High Cost"

February 24, 2010

Seattle Times, "Crime Science Tackles Tainted Image at Seattle Meeting"

February 23, 2010

MSNBC, "Already Under Fire, Crime Labs Cut to the Bone; Budget Cuts, Lack of Training, Standards Raise Doubts about Tests' Reliability"

January 31, 2010

Houston Chronicle, "Lab Lags: HPD Crime Lab Flops. Again."

January 30, 2010

North County Times, "Policing the Crime Labs: No Government Bodies Regulate Forensic Labs"

December 27, 2009

Washington Post, "Two are Freed, but the System Remains Flawed"

December 15, 2009

Associated Press, "DNA Testing Clears Man Who Served 28 Years"

November 28, 2009

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "Stakes are High as Doubt is Cast on Forensic Lab Techniques"

November 23, 2009

LLRX.com, "Strengthening Forensic Science: The Next Wave of Scholarship"

November-December 2009 Issue

Judicature, "The Past and Future of Forensic Science in the Courts"

October 23, 2009

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "DNA Cited in Plea for 1990 New Kensington Rape Case Retrial"

October 2, 2009

Houston Chronicle, "Commentary: Conspiracy Hypothesis to be Tested"

September 21, 2009

Los Angeles Times, "Making Forensic Science Scientific"

September 15, 2009

knoxnews.com, "Carjack Evidence at Issue: Defense to Argue that Forensics Flawed"

ScienceInsider, "Forensic Science on Trial: Part II"

September 14, 2009

ScienceInsider,"Forensic Science on Trial: The First of Two ScienceInsider Interviews"

September 12, 2009

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Federal Report Finds Deficiencies in Use of Forensics in Criminal Cases"

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "Forensic Science Flaws Cited by Experts at Duquesne University Meeting"

September 9, 2009

National Public Radio, "Congress Probes Science Behind Convictions"

Senate Committee on the Judiciary Hearing, "Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States"

September 2, 2009

Texas Moratorium Network, "Transcript of Live Chat with New Yorker Author of Todd Willingham Report [The New Yorker, 'Trial by Fire: Did Texas Execute an Innocent Man?' (September 7, 2009)]: David Grann on Cameron Todd Willingham and the Death Penalty"

August 30, 2009

The Huffington Post, "Innocent, but Executed"

August 24, 2009

National Public Radio, Morning Edition, "Foolproof Forensics? The Jury is Still Out"

August 2009 Issue

Popular Mechanics, "Reasonable Doubt: The Suprisingly Weak Science Behind Courtroom Forensics"

July 31, 2009

 Houston Chronicle, "Forensic Science Institute Could Spare Future Victims"

July 30, 2009

Anderson Cooper 360°, "Convicted by a Canine"

July 15, 2009

Crime Lab Report, "High Court Tackles Forensic Reports in Landmark Ruling: Decision Exposes Flaw in Key Recommendation by the National Academy of Sciences"

July 7, 2009

The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Science (COS) charters the Subcommittee on Forensic Science.

July 1, 2009

Forensic Magazine, "Supreme Court Ruling Requires Crime Lab Analysts to Testify"

July 2009 Issue

Officer.com, "Flawed Forensics? National Report Identifies Areas That Science Must Redress and Refurbish"

June 30, 2009

 National Public Radio, The Kojo Nnamdi Show, "Scientific Evidence and the Courthouse"

June 26, 2009

National Public Radio,  "High Court Rulings Change Legal Landscape"

June 26, 2009

New York Times, "Justices Rule Lab Analysts Must Testify on Results"

June 25, 2009

Supreme Court of the United States, Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts

June 8, 2009

Herald-Tribune, "Establish Independent Forensic Labs"

May 13, 2009

House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Hearing on the National Research Council's Report, "Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward"

May 12, 2009

New York Times, "Plugging Holes in the Science of Forensics"

May 11, 2009

Law.com, "Defense Counsel View Report as New Weapon"

May 5, 2009

National Law Journal, "Questioning Forensic Evidence"

April 6, 2009

USA Today, "Today's Debate: Science in the Justice System"
Our view: When Crime Labs Answer to Law Enforcement, Truth Can Get Lost
Opposing view: Cost of Separating Forensics from Law Enforcement Exceeds the Gains [Ralph M. Keaton]

April 4, 2009

Arizona Republic, "Forensic Science Needs 'Massive Overhaul': Judge Urges Congress to Create Oversight Entity"

April 2, 2009

NatureJobs, "Forensic Evidence"

March 30, 2009

Connecticut Law Tribune, "A Call for Better Science in the Courtroom"

March 25, 2009

Reason, "In Criminal Cases, Should Science Serve Only the State?"

March 18, 2009

Senate Committee on the Judiciary Hearing, “The Need to Strengthen Forensic Science in the United States: The National Academy of Sciences' Report on a Path Forward”

March 16, 2009

Lawyers USA, "Forensic Evidence Report New Weapon for Defense Lawyers"

March 10, 2009

House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation Hearing, "Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: The Role of the National Institute of Standards and Technology"

March 7, 2009

New York Post, "CSI: Without a Clue; A New Report Forces Police and Judges to Rethink Forensic Science"

March 4, 2009

Crime Lab Report, "National Academy of Sciences Report: Legacy of Historic Document Depends on Good-Faith Collaboration"

March 2, 2009

Birmingham News, "When Science Isn't Scientific"

Omaha World-Herald, "Dealing with Death in Nebraska: More Nails in Coffin of Coroner System"

February 28, 2009

Miller-McCune, "Re-mapping Forensic Science's Future"

February 26, 2009

Nature, "Forensic Science Badly Lacking in the United States"

Vancouver Sun, "Forensic Science not as Reliable as Generally Believed"

February 23, 2009

Chemical & Engineering News, "Questionable Crime-Scene Science: U.S. Forensic Science is Inadquate, NRC Says"

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Forensic Science Not Much Science, Study Says"

February 22, 2009

Fort Collins Coloradoan, "Larimer County Officials are Optimistic about Forensic Science"

New York Post, "Faux-rensic Evidence; Bad Lab Work Opening Jail Doors"

February 21, 2009

New York Times, "Crime Scene Imperfections"

February 19, 2009

Arizona Republic, "National Agency Sought for Forensic Sciences"

Baltimore Sun, "Forensic Science, A Misnomer"

Chicago Tribune, "Some Forensic Techniques Named as Suspect in National Academy of Sciences Report"

Los Angeles Times, "Report Questions Science, Reliability of Crime Lab Evidence"

Los Angeles Times, "Clueless 'Science'"

National Public Radio, "Call for Forensics Overhaul Linked to CSI Effect"

New Scientist, "Forensic Science 'Too Unreliable,' Says Report"

New York Times, "Study Calls for Oversight of Forensics in Crime Labs"

Richmond Times-Dispatch, "New Study Questions Forensic Sciences; Expert panel: Crime Lab System in Disarray and Reform Needed"

UPI, "Study: Forensics Rely on Flawed Science"

USA Today, "Report: Real-World Police Forensics Don’t Resemble 'CSI'"

February 18, 2009

Agence France Presse, "US Forensic Science Needs Total Overhaul: Study"

Associated Press, "Report: Real-World CSI's Lack Consistent Standards"

CNN, "Crime Labs Need Major Overhaul, Study Finds"

InformationWeek, "Forensic Science System in U.S. Needs Overhaul"

MSNBC, "Report: Crime Labs Seriously Deficient"

National Public Radio, "Report: Forensics Rife With 'Serious Problems'"

ProPublica, "Government-Funded Study Calls for Overhaul of Nation's Crime Labs"

Reuters, "U.S. Forensic Crime Labs Need Major Reform: Experts"

February 8, 2009

Baltimore Sun, "Junk Science or Not?"

February 7, 2009

Houston Chronicle, "Houston, They All Have a Problem"

February 5, 2009

New York Times, "Science Found Wanting in Nation’s Crime Labs"

May 7, 2007

New Yorker, "The CSI Effect"

Science and Security in a Post 9/11 World: A Report Based on Regional Discussions Between the Science and Security Communities  

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IN THE NEWS

December 12, 2008

Science, "Reduce Administrative Burden"

September 1, 2008

Chemical & Engineering News, "Freeing Basic Research"

August 22, 2008

Science, "Science and Security, Again"

 August 1, 2008

Chronicle of Higher Education,"Untying the Secret Strings That Bind Research"

July 18, 2008

Science, "New Policy Tries to Ease Security Restrictions"

July 11, 2008

Chronicle of Higher Education "Academics and National-Security Experts Must Work Together"

June 2008   

U.S. Department of Defense Memo on Contracted Fundamental Research

October 29, 2007

National Journal's Technology Daily, "Panel Proposed to Balance Research, Security"