I am forwarding this only once so that you will how know it is available and
how to subscribe to it if your faculty and/or customers might be interested.
Thanks for checking this out. Linda
Linda H. Lord
Director of Library Development
Maine State Library
64 State House Station
Augusta, ME
04333
Telephone 207-287-5620
FAX 207-287-5624
e-mail [log in to unmask]
www.state.me.us/msl/
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2001 8:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: This Week on mainescience.org, December 17 - 23, 2001
<http://www.mainescience.org/>
<http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/>
A service of the Maine Science and Technology Foundation
20 Free Street
Portland, ME
(207) 772-9241
77 Sewall Street
Augusta, ME
(207) 621-6350
_____
Week of December 17 - 23, 2001
Do you have an announcement, news release or event that you'd like to share
with Maine's science and technology community? Are you conducting research
that we can publicize? Send a description of your project or activity to
mainescience.org <mailto:[log in to unmask]> and we would be pleased to publicize
it. Help us keep Maine's science and technology community informed and
up-to-date with the latest breaking news about developments in your research
field or industry sector.
Sincerely,
Joel B. Russ <mailto:[log in to unmask]> , president
Maine Science and Technology Foundation
_____
If you would like to subscribe to this free news alert, register on the
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_____
MAINESCIENCE SPOTLIGHT
Maine <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/spotlight1.html>
organizations provide critical support for Phylogix growth
In 1999 Phylogix, a therapeutic biotechnology company, won its first outside
funding: a $20,000 seed grant from the state-funded Center for Innovation in
Biotechnology (CIBT). This November Phylogix closed on a $2.95 million
venture financing, the result of more than two years of successful
scientific research and business development. Jeff Moore, founder and
president of Phylogix, points to state-funded grant programs as a key to his
company's early success.
_____
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Check out the latest state and national science and
<http://www.mainescience.org/happenings_newsset.html> technology news and
browse news releases from companies and organizations that are helping to
build Maine's innovation economy. The following articles are new this week:
Maine <http://www.mainescience.org/happenings_newsset.html> News
* 'BRIDGE' Act to help small-business growth
Seeking to expand opportunities for job creation and entrepreneurship, U.S.
Sens. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and John Kerry, D-Mass., are advancing
legislation that would give small businesses improved access to capital,
helping entrepreneurs expand more rapidly.
* Moody's revises outlook for state of Maine to stable from positive
Moody's has assigned a stable outlook to the State of Maine's Aa2 general
obligation bond rating. The outlook change is based on the expectation that
the state economy has shifted from a pattern of steady positive expansion to
period of slower to flat growth.
* New UMaine information systems programs meet growing demand for
specialists
Managing information has long been key to success in business, health care,
telecommunications and other fields, but the expansion of computer
technologies has created a need for specialists who have the skills to
design and implement the latest information systems. The University of Maine
now offers students and working professionals the opportunity to pursue
graduate programs in this growing field.
* Editorial: Lawmakers face challenge in bridging 'digital divide'
Something will have to give - soon - in Gov. Angus S. King's laptop computer
proposal. A collision-course exists that pits the state's $30 million
Learning Technology endowment against a yawning budget shortfall of more
than $240 million for the biennium, a skeptical legislature and a public
that has yet to embrace the initiative.
* Steering USM for the long haul
The average stay in a university president job is just shy of five years.
Richard Pattenaude, the longest-serving current president in the University
of Maine System, is the exception. And those who know him are not surprised.
Since Pattenaude's arrival at USM in 1991, the university has steadily
increased its stature.
* Orono firm's sensors command attention
It sounds like a post-Sept. 11 rush job: Develop small handheld sensors to
detect the presence of chemical weapons. But the Maine company that is
working on the devices has been at the task for two years now.
* SBA announces appointment of Butland as regional administrator
Jeffrey Butland, a former state senator from Maine, has been appointed
regional administrator in Region I to oversee the U.S. Small Business
Administration's programs and services in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode
Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, SBA Administrator Hector Barreto
announced today.
* Maine promotes its business climate in Forbes magazine
After almost seven years as governor, Angus King still is trying to change
how people outside the state's borders perceive what's happening inside
them. King hopes a new four-page advertising supplement in the December 24
issue of Forbes magazine will emphasize to people that the lobster is good,
and so is the state as a place to locate their business.
Read the full versions of these stories in Maine
<http://www.mainescience.org/happenings_newsset.html> News.
National <http://www.mainescience.org/happenings_newsset.html> News
* Unwiring the Web
Community-owned wireless networks are gaining popularity - and could help
bridge the digital divide.
* Northeast seen getting balmier
A recent report commissioned by Congress on the impact of global warming on
the Northeast depicts a very different climatic future for the region. New
England's maple trees stop producing sap; Cape Cod beaches shrink; and
temperatures in Boston become as sticky as Atlanta.
* For some dot-coms, there are real profits
E-Universe is a prime example of a new species of Internet companies that
are thriving even in the harsh climate that has killed off many of the
dot-com giants of a few years ago. This new breed is small, scrappy and
willing to do whatever it takes to survive.
* A surge in demand to use biometrics
Sept. 11 created a long-awaited moment for the biometrics industry, which
centers on equipment that identifies people by using characteristics thought
to be unique to each person, like fingerprints, voice patterns and spacing
of facial features. "We've always said that some event would have to happen
to propel the technology to the forefront," said the CEO of a leading
biometrics company.
* Chip makers see a speedy recovery; others have doubts
Semiconductor makers have never seen a year as bad as 2001, but the industry
association contends the downturn will end this year.
* Chips off a new block
The semiconductor industry is already reeling from the technology slowdown,
yet a new generation of plastic-based chips could soon make things worse.
Although these ICs currently underperform silicon, as the gap narrows they
may well take market share from commodity chips produced by the likes of
Hitachi, Rohm, and Toshiba.
* Tech investors cautiously return
While venture capital investment is far down from the highs of the dot-com
bubble, it is by no means dead. Venture capitalists and entrepreneurs point
to a number of types of technologies that are attracting investor interest.
They include nanotechnology computers, Web services software that moves
business functions onto the Internet, and biotechnology.
* Europe's wireless vision is dashed
Two years ago the chief executive of Nokia forecast a glowing future for
wireless communications. But the future never arrived. Instead, Europe's
telecommunications industry dug itself into debt in paying for new licenses
and networks, leaving it at a competitive disadvantage to its rivals in the
U.S.
* B2B e-commerce could save firms trillions
Companies worldwide could save on aggregate $2.3 trillion a year by using
the Internet to purchase resources ranging from office supplies to plane
tickets, a study released on Monday said. The report, by Boston-based
analysts Aberdeen Group, is an uncommon piece of positive news for the
moribund business-to-business, or B2B, e-commerce sector.
* Thirteen tech companies booted from Nasdaq 100
Some of the high-flying tech stocks of the dot-com boom of the late '90s
will get booted from the Nasdaq 100 index in a rebalancing of the gauge that
tracks performance of 100 largest growth stocks listed on the Nasdaq Stock
Market. At the same time, some obscure health-care stocks will be added to
the index as they have grown quickly over the past year.
* Entrepreneurial networks key to growth
Boston has more corporate alumni groups than any other part of the country,
along with a large number of 'legacy' companies - like Wang, Data General
and BBN - that have spawned entire new generations of tech firms. The
entrepreneurial networks that have developed are key to the region's
economic success. Face-time, personal contacts and proximity are now the
name of the game, and Boston has a critical mass of connections and a
bastion of "group intelligence."
Read the full versions of these stories in National
<http://www.mainescience.org/happenings_newsset.html> News.
News <http://www.mainescience.org/happenings_newsset.html> Releases
* CMTC offers new telecommunications certification
_____
COMMERCE HIGHLIGHTS:
Presentations
<http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/commerce1.html> from SSTI
conference available online
The annual conference of the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI)
is one of the premier national forums for information about
innovation-driven economic development. SSTI recently held its fifth annual
conference in Pittsburgh. The speaker presentations from the conference are
now available online.
USM <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/commerce2.html> to
help develop precision manufacturing jobs
USM and a new system of business incubators will sign an agreement at the
Rumford Precision Manufacturing Center to develop precision manufacturing
jobs for the River Valley region.
New <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/commerce3.html>
electronic newsletter offers information on biometrics
The growing interest in the security applications of biometrics has led to
the creation of a new industry publication. Biometric Weekly, a free
electronic newsletter, reports on security and biometric identification
technology news.
Training <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/commerce4.html>
program funds available for high tech occupations
The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has
announced the availability of approximately $20 million grant funds for
skills training programs for unemployed and employed workers.
_____
QUEST HIGHLIGHTS:
UMaine <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/quest1.html>
scientists will use new probe to reveal geological secrets
The National Science Foundation has awarded the University of Maine a
$475,000 grant to purchase a scientific instrument that could help unearth
clues to geological mysteries. Known as an electron microprobe, the device
uses a focused electron beam and x-rays to gather information from spots as
small as a millionth of a square meter in solid materials such as mineral
grains.
Department <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/quest2.html> of
Agriculture offers potato research grants
The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service has
announced the availability in FY 2002 of up to $1.6 million to support
applications for the Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research.
Department <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/quest3.html> of
Commerce funds ocean research
The Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research Coastal Ocean Program is
offering funding to support research on critical issues that exist in U.S.
estuaries, coastal waters, and the Great Lakes.
Forest <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/quest4.html> and
Paper Association & Energy Department provide forestry research funding
As part of the Industries of the Future Strategy, the American Forest and
Paper Association, in cooperation with the Department of Energy, is seeking
applications for cost-shared research and development of technologies which
will reduce energy consumption, enhance economic competitiveness, and reduce
environmental impacts of the Forest Products Industry.
Funding <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/quest5.html>
available for research on engineering the service sector
The National Science Foundation has announced a solicitation for Exploratory
Research on Engineering the Service Sector to stimulate the development of a
community of academic researchers in engineering and allied branches of the
mathematical and social sciences, and a corresponding body of research
findings that address the service sector across a scope commensurate with
its critical and dominant position.
_____
BRAINPOWER HIGHLIGHTS:
State <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower1.html>
budget shortfalls threaten school technology programs
With state governments from Maine to California facing severe budget
shortfalls, legislators and state education officials are targeting school
technology programs for possible budget cuts, says an analyst at the
Education Commission of the States.
Report <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower2.html>
ranks states on use of digital technology
The Progress and Freedom Foundation has released its latest report ranking
states on the basis of their use of digital technology. The Digital State
Survey shows Illinois, South Dakota and Utah leading in the use of digital
technology for education, while Kansas ranks No. 1 in deploying digital
technology for geographic information systems and transportation.
Community
<http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower3.html> colleges
aren't just for education anymore
If there ever was an under appreciated force for regional economic
development, it may be community colleges. To help boost such appreciation,
a non-profit economic development organization in North Carolina has taken
on the job of cataloging the best programs geared toward rural economic
development at community colleges across the country.
NASA <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower4.html>
institutes new competitive Undergraduate Student Research Program
NASA has instituted a new, competitive Undergraduate Student Research
Program to provide college students with an opportunity to perform research
at NASA Field Centers.
NSF <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower5.html>
offers program for gender equity in science, mathematics, engineering and
technology
The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports initiatives to broaden the
participation of women in all fields of science, math, engineering, and
technology. Applicants will be awarded funds based on proposals that show
significant potential for reversing gender-based inequalities related to the
learning and participation of female students in these technical fields of
study.
American <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower6.html>
Association of School Librarians Awards offers school technology awards
The American Association of School Librarians will award $21,500 in grants
and awards through eight different programs this year. Several programs
focus on school technology.
National <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower7.html>
School Library Media Program of the Year Award
The American Association of School Libraries sponsors a national school
library media program of the year. This award - $9,000 in each of three
categories, for a total of $27,000 - donated by Follett Library Resources,
acknowledges large and small school districts and one single school for
exemplary library media programs that are fully integrated into the
curriculum.
Toshiba <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower8.html>
America Foundation sponsors grade 7-12 grant program
The Toshiba America Foundation encourages projects that can improve
classroom teaching and learning of science, math, and technology. Proposals
from individual teachers or groups of teachers, grades 7-12, will be
considered for funding.
Toyota <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower9.html>
TAPESTRY grant deadline January 17, 2002
The Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Teachers program has expanded and will award
up to $550,000 in grants this year to K-12 science teachers.
Toyota <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower10.html>
offers awards for mathematics teaching excellence
Toyota's Investment In Mathematics Excellence (TIME) is a grant program
awarding teachers up to $10,000 for innovative projects that enhance
mathematics education within a school. It is sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales
USA Inc. through its partnership with the National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics and its Mathematics Education Trust. Any K-12 classroom teacher
with three years of experience teaching mathematics within the United States
may apply.
For <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/brainpower11.html>
college, 529 plans look sweet
Now there's a way to channel money into a child's college savings account
while receiving the benefit of professional investment management. And
thanks to the new tax law recently passed by Congress, earnings and
withdrawals will be tax-free (and possibly state tax-free) as long as the
money is used to pay qualified higher education expenses.
_____
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS:
Controversy <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/policy1.html>
over cloning reignites in Congress
The recent announcement by a Massachusetts biotechnology company that it is
trying to clone human embryos for stem cells has reignited a controversy in
Congress over the ethics of embryo experiments. A debate that was virtually
extinguished by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is now very much alive. The
next battleground will be the Senate, where, as early as February, members
are expected to consider two bills related to stem cells.
Bush <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/policy2.html> names
22-member group to advise White House on science, technology issues
President Bush last week named a 22-member advisory panel to help the
administration develop policy initiatives in the science and technology
arena, including measures to assist in the war on terrorism. White House
officials said the advisory group would help develop the administration's
high-tech agenda and are expected to have input on items ranging from
broadband incentives to more energy efficient technologies.
_____
HAPPENINGS HIGHLIGHTS:
MWPA <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/happenings1.html>
Sixth Annual Meeting, January 24, 2002
The Maine Wood Products Association (MWPA) will hold its annual meeting on
January 24, 2001 in Augusta, Maine. The program begins at 7:00 A.M. with a
joint legislative breakfast with the Maine Metal Products Association. The
breakfast will be held at the Maine State Museum, which is adjacent to the
State House. The theme for the day is the Future of Wood Manufacturing in
Maine.
Entrepreneurial
<http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/happenings2.html> course
offered in Rockland, January 26, 2002
FastTrac Business Planning, which is designed to help businesspeople acquire
skills needed to manage successful business ventures, will be offered to
midcoast area business owners Saturday, January 26.
Also known as "Maine's Ultimate Entrepreneurial Training Program," FastTrac
is sponsored by the University of Southern Maine and the Time & Tide
Resource Conservation and Development Area. Jim Wilfong, author of "Taking
Your Business Global - Your Small Business Guide to Successful International
Trade," will facilitate this 45-hour course in business planning. A
small-business entrepreneur from Maine, Wilfong has 30 years of experience
in international trade, marketing, small-business management and public
policy.
American <http://www.mainescience.org/thisweek/2001/12-17/happenings3.html>
Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting, February 14-19,
2002
Register now for the "largest scientific conference in America." The annual
meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science will be
held February 14-19, 2002, at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, the Hynes
Convention Center and the Boston Marriott Copley Place.
_____
ADDITIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NEWS:
The Maine Science and Technology Foundation is a member of the State Science
and Technology Institute (SSTI). The SSTI Weekly Digest reports the week's
biggest stories for the cooperative technology program community - funding
opportunities, state and federal program changes, congressional activities,
and the latest studies and reports. We are pleased to make the SSTI Weekly
Digest <http://www.ssti.org/Digest/latest.htm> available to Maine's science
and technology community.
_____
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