US conference on science and society

Tomorrow sees the start of daily science news coverage from the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting.

Taking place in Washington DC this year from February 17th to 21st, it is one of the largest scientific meeting of its kind in the world. The theme this year is "The Nexus: Where Science Meets Society" and the extensive programme includes more than 150 lectures and symposia. The meeting is expected to draw more than 10,000 individuals from 60 countries including 1,200 press registrants.

This is the 171st AAAS meeting, which this year will see more than 750 working scientists on hand to describe their latest discoveries to audiences that include politicians, policy makers and the general public. The meeting will cover a variety of topics including space science, medical advances, sustainable development and marine science.

A special series of lectures has been organised to mark the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein's annus mirabilis, his miracle year which saw publication of no less than three ground-breaking papers.

"Celebrity" lectures include one by Mars rover researcher Steven W Squyres, professor of astronomy at Cornell University.

He will provide the latest news and pictures available from the Mars rover mission. He and other scientists will also deliver an update on the ongoing Cassini-Huygens mission.

There will be talks on the rapid loss of fish species due to human activity and climate change and ideas about how marine life from fish to endangered whales can be protected from extinction.

Reports from the meeting will run on Irish Times news pages from tomorrow.