This POSTnote examines the evidence base for the assumption that organisations that work with animals should be included in the safeguarding children agenda, and the rationale for cross-reporting between different agencies.

This POSTnote examines the evidence base for the assumption that organisations that work with animals should be included in the safeguarding children agenda, and the rationale for cross-reporting between different agencies.

This POSTnote outlines current diagnostic practices for dementia, research into newer tools and service provision proposals that aim to increase early diagnosis.

This POSTnote outlines current diagnostic practices for dementia, research into newer tools and service provision proposals that aim to increase early diagnosis.

This POSTnote examines the risks of insect pollination decline for the UK and explores strategies to provide stable pollination services into the future.

This POSTnote examines the risks of insect pollination decline for the UK and explores strategies to provide stable pollination services into the future.

This POSTnote looks at technology plans for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, focusing on information communications technology (ICT).

This POSTnote looks at technology plans for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, focusing on information communications technology (ICT).

Predicted sea level rise and higher storm surges will increase the risk of coastal erosion and flooding. In response to this challenge, flood and coastal erosion risk management is undergoing direction and policy change. This POSTnote examines past and present coastal management policy and the main issues arising for the future English coastline.

Predicted sea level rise and higher storm surges will increase the risk of coastal erosion and flooding. In response to this challenge, flood and coastal erosion risk management is undergoing direction and policy change. This POSTnote examines past and present coastal management policy and the main issues arising for the...

The effects of climate change on biodiversity are already evident in the UK, and with continued climate change, are expected to increase. This POSTnote explores the observed and future impacts of climate change on biodiversity. It also examines the relationship between biodiversity and adaptation to a changing climate.

The effects of climate change on biodiversity are already evident in the UK, and with continued climate change, are expected to increase. This POSTnote explores the observed and future impacts of climate change on biodiversity. It also examines the relationship between biodiversity and adaptation to a changing climate.

This POSTnote explains the reading process and the underlying basis of specific reading difficulties. It also summarises different methods of reading instruction, and examines their use in the context of current and possible future policy directions.

This POSTnote explains the reading process and the underlying basis of specific reading difficulties. It also summarises different methods of reading instruction, and examines their use in the context of current and possible future policy directions.

The increasing amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is acidifying the oceans. The resulting changes to ecosystems and marine biodiversity may have negative impacts on fisheries and food security and reduce the coastal protection provided by coral reefs. This POSTnote outlines the science behind ocean acidification and summarises the threats to the marine environment. A global reduction of carbon emissions is the only certain way to minimise these risks.

The increasing amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is acidifying the oceans. The resulting changes to ecosystems and marine biodiversity may have negative impacts on fisheries and food security and reduce the coastal protection provided by coral reefs. This POSTnote outlines the science behind ocean acidification and summarises...

This POSTnote looks at the reasons why deforestation occurs and the impact it has on the environment, as well as examining policies to reduce it.

This POSTnote looks at the reasons why deforestation occurs and the impact it has on the environment, as well as examining policies to reduce it.

This POSTnote examines the key characteristics of futures work and its use by governments and parliaments.

This POSTnote examines the key characteristics of futures work and its use by governments and parliaments.

This POSTnote examines the effects of noise, the EU Environmental Noise Directive (END) and practical measures for noise management.

This POSTnote examines the effects of noise, the EU Environmental Noise Directive (END) and practical measures for noise management.

This note examines three scientific areas posing a significant risk of misuse and considers how to tackle dual-use dilemmas in these and other areas.

This note examines three scientific areas posing a significant risk of misuse and considers how to tackle dual-use dilemmas in these and other areas.

In 2006, 617 million school meals were served in England alone. The situation regarding school meals differs in the constituent countries of the UK. In England, new legislation on minimum nutritional standards in schools began in 2008 in primary schools and will come into force in secondary schools by September 2009. It consists of food- and nutrient-based standards for school food. The devolved administrations have already implemented similar legislation and face similar issues in improving school food. This note outlines children's nutritional requirements, the take-up of school meals in the UK, the capacity to enforce the standards and the impact of children's diet on behaviour and learning.

In 2006, 617 million school meals were served in England alone. The situation regarding school meals differs in the constituent countries of the UK. In England, new legislation on minimum nutritional standards in schools began in 2008 in primary schools and will come into force in secondary schools by September...

This note looks at the treatments currently available for heroin and cocaine dependency, assesses the prospects for new treatments, and examines the issues these raise.

This note looks at the treatments currently available for heroin and cocaine dependency, assesses the prospects for new treatments, and examines the issues these raise.

The pesticide approvals process in Europe is changing. This POSTnote explores the potential implications for UK agriculture and horticulture and examines other crop protection strategies available that complement or compensate for pesticides.

The pesticide approvals process in Europe is changing. This POSTnote explores the potential implications for UK agriculture and horticulture and examines other crop protection strategies available that complement or compensate for pesticides.

This POSTnote details the main carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and considers their safety and legal issues. This is followed by an overview of global CCS projects as well as a discussion of UK and EU policy.

This POSTnote details the main carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and considers their safety and legal issues. This is followed by an overview of global CCS projects as well as a discussion of UK and EU policy.

This POSTnote summarises the environmental change occurring in the Arctic and its potential impact on the global climate, future commercial activities and Arctic governance.

This POSTnote summarises the environmental change occurring in the Arctic and its potential impact on the global climate, future commercial activities and Arctic governance.

This POSTnote looks at recent developments in this area and analyses the issues they pose for UK researchers and regulators.

This POSTnote looks at recent developments in this area and analyses the issues they pose for UK researchers and regulators.

This POSTnote describes how a pandemic vaccine for UK use against the novel strain of influenza (flu) virus subtype H1N1 would be manufactured, and alternative techniques for vaccine development and manufacture.

This POSTnote describes how a pandemic vaccine for UK use against the novel strain of influenza (flu) virus subtype H1N1 would be manufactured, and alternative techniques for vaccine development and manufacture.

This POSTnote examines the state of research into human variability, and the prospects, challenges and policy implications of more personalised medical treatment.

This POSTnote examines the state of research into human variability, and the prospects, challenges and policy implications of more personalised medical treatment.

This POSTnote looks at the latest scientific research, advice and recommendations for a diet to lower cancer risk and the consequences for health policy.

This POSTnote looks at the latest scientific research, advice and recommendations for a diet to lower cancer risk and the consequences for health policy.

This POSTnote looks at the influence of time in decision making, and looks at the implications for policy domains such as pensions, health and consumer affairs.

This POSTnote looks at the influence of time in decision making, and looks at the implications for policy domains such as pensions, health and consumer affairs.

There is evidence that efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases may be insufficient to avert unacceptable levels of climate change; global emission levels are currently higher than even the highest scenario produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2001). Geo-engineering seeks to use global scale engineering to offset the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. This POSTnote summarises the arguments relating to research funding for geoengineering.

There is evidence that efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases may be insufficient to avert unacceptable levels of climate change; global emission levels are currently higher than even the highest scenario produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2001). Geo-engineering seeks to use global scale engineering to offset...

This briefing describes recent developments in food regulation and examines options to improve food hygiene in businesses through monetary penalties, training and the use of local "Scores on the Doors" schemes.

This briefing describes recent developments in food regulation and examines options to improve food hygiene in businesses through monetary penalties, training and the use of local "Scores on the Doors" schemes.

This POSTnote examines the current status of wild deer in the UK, their ecological, economic and social impacts and legislation on their management.

This POSTnote examines the current status of wild deer in the UK, their ecological, economic and social impacts and legislation on their management.

This POSTnote outlines current and future applications of ITS in road transport, as well as technical, behavioural and economic limitations to their deployment.

This POSTnote outlines current and future applications of ITS in road transport, as well as technical, behavioural and economic limitations to their deployment.

Around 15-20% of the UK's electricity could potentially be produced from marine renewable sources, but the technology is not mature. This POSTnote considers the technologies available and the environmental, economic and technological challenges involved in their deployment.

Around 15-20% of the UK's electricity could potentially be produced from marine renewable sources, but the technology is not mature. This POSTnote considers the technologies available and the environmental, economic and technological challenges involved in their deployment.

In the past decade, the government has repeatedly emphasised the importance of taking an "evidence-based" approach to policy-making. In 2006, the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee welcomed the government's progress in integrating scientific evidence into decision making. However, despite increasing use of evidence from the natural and social sciences, evidence from humanities disciplines such as history is not widely used. This POSTnote considers how history could help to inform decisions on key scientific and technological policy issues.

In the past decade, the government has repeatedly emphasised the importance of taking an "evidence-based" approach to policy-making. In 2006, the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee welcomed the government's progress in integrating scientific evidence into decision making. However, despite increasing use of evidence from the natural and social...

This POSTnote looks at recent UK e-democracy initiatives, and at challenges faced in their design and implementation. It examines debate over the purpose of eDemocracy and where its future lies.

This POSTnote looks at recent UK e-democracy initiatives, and at challenges faced in their design and implementation. It examines debate over the purpose of eDemocracy and where its future lies.

This POSTnote outlines some of the challenges in implementing River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) in the UK to meet Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives.

This POSTnote outlines some of the challenges in implementing River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) in the UK to meet Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives.

The global greenhouse gas emissions from information and communication technology (ICT) are comparable with those of the aviation industry. This POSTnote focuses on the energy consumption of ICT equipment, and looks at action being taken to reduce it. It also mentions the wider environmental impact of ICT, and looks briefly at the significant contribution that ICT can make to reducing emissions in other sectors. These approaches are collectively referred to as 'green ICT'.

The global greenhouse gas emissions from information and communication technology (ICT) are comparable with those of the aviation industry. This POSTnote focuses on the energy consumption of ICT equipment, and looks at action being taken to reduce it. It also mentions the wider environmental impact of ICT, and looks briefly...

Fundamental changes to the UK economy will be required to meet the greenhouse gas emission targets of the Climate Change Act (2008). This POSTnote examines UK emission trends since 1990 and considers how the UK might achieve a technological and behavioural transition to meet the targets.

Fundamental changes to the UK economy will be required to meet the greenhouse gas emission targets of the Climate Change Act (2008). This POSTnote examines UK emission trends since 1990 and considers how the UK might achieve a technological and behavioural transition to meet the targets.

This POSTnote provides an assessment of nuclear power generation technologies. It looks at the designs of any new UK reactors and outlines details of the regulatory design assessment process, with an emphasis on safety, security and waste. It also looks at longer term research into reactor design and waste management.

This POSTnote provides an assessment of nuclear power generation technologies. It looks at the designs of any new UK reactors and outlines details of the regulatory design assessment process, with an emphasis on safety, security and waste. It also looks at longer term research into reactor design and waste management.

This POSTnote looks at UK options for meeting the proposed target of 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2020, and discusses how climate change could affect both the UK capacity to produce renewable energy and demand for energy in general.

This POSTnote looks at UK options for meeting the proposed target of 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2020, and discusses how climate change could affect both the UK capacity to produce renewable energy and demand for energy in general.

This note gives an overview of cervical cancer prevention strategies, including vaccination, and the issues arising.

This note gives an overview of cervical cancer prevention strategies, including vaccination, and the issues arising.

UK vaccine capacity, August 2008. POSTnote 08/314.

UK vaccine capacity, August 2008. POSTnote 08/314.

Large scientific facilities, July 2008. POSTnote 08/313.

Large scientific facilities, July 2008. POSTnote 08/313.

Biodiversity indicators, July 2008. POSTnote 08/312.

Biodiversity indicators, July 2008. POSTnote 08/312.

New anti-infectives, July 2008. POSTnote July 2008.

New anti-infectives, July 2008. POSTnote July 2008.

Marine conservation zones, June 2008. POSTnote 08/310.

Marine conservation zones, June 2008. POSTnote 08/310.

International migration of scientists and engineers, June 2008. POSTnote 08/309.

International migration of scientists and engineers, June 2008. POSTnote 08/309.

Alternatives to custodial sentencing, May 2008. POSTnote 08/308.

Alternatives to custodial sentencing, May 2008. POSTnote 08/308.

This POSTnote examines existing and proposed methods for large scale electricity storage, examines the technical challenges and discusses the economics of storage relative to other methods of providing electricity reserves. Electricity storage, April 2008. POSTnote 08/306.

This POSTnote examines existing and proposed methods for large scale electricity storage, examines the technical challenges and discusses the economics of storage relative to other methods of providing electricity reserves. Electricity storage, April 2008. POSTnote 08/306.

Wildlife diseases, April 2008. POSTnote 08/307.

Wildlife diseases, April 2008. POSTnote 08/307.

This POSTnote examines next generation access (NGA) technologies, demand for them and deployments worldwide. It looks at the debate over who should invest in NGA and when, and considers policy issues such as international competitiveness and geographical variations.

This POSTnote examines next generation access (NGA) technologies, demand for them and deployments worldwide. It looks at the debate over who should invest in NGA and when, and considers policy issues such as international competitiveness and geographical variations.

Research ethics in developing countries, April 2008. POSTnote 08/304.

Research ethics in developing countries, April 2008. POSTnote 08/304.

Invasive non-native species, April 2008. POSTnote 08/303

Invasive non-native species, April 2008. POSTnote 08/303

Ecological networks, February 2008. POSTnote 08/300.

Ecological networks, February 2008. POSTnote 08/300.

Smart metering of electricity and gas, February 2008. POSTnote 08/301.

Smart metering of electricity and gas, February 2008. POSTnote 08/301.

This POSTnote describes autism and autism research, and considers policy approaches. Autism, February 2008. POSTnote 08/302.

This POSTnote describes autism and autism research, and considers policy approaches. Autism, February 2008. POSTnote 08/302.