AAAS/Science Magazine Media Advisory – Mars Press Conference at NASA
MARS PRESS CONFERENCE, 11 A.M.U.S. ET, THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2000
EMBARGO LIFTS 10 A.M. U.S. ET, THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2000
A number of recent press reports have mentioned a forthcoming paper in the international journal Science regarding new Mars data. These press accounts, based on unnamed sources, represent varying degrees of accuracy.
Under Science’s current embargo policy, Science normally distributes research to journalists one week prior to its publication. Science’s embargo policy is designed to uphold the integrity of the peer-review process, to protect author confidentiality, and to ensure that the public receives the highest quality and most accurate scientific information in a timely manner.
In order to ensure accurate reporting on the forthcoming Mars paper, Science will lift the embargo on this paper at 10 A. M. U.S. ET, Thursday, 22 June 2000, when all materials are available. To obtain these materials when they become available, please e-mail scipak@aaas.org or call 202-326-6440. Pre-registered reporters will be able to access the materials through EurekAlert! (www.eurekalert.org)
The principal investigators will have the opportunity to tell the full story of their research at 11 A.M. U.S. ET, Thursday, 22 June 2000, during a press conference at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. For information, call NASA, 202-358-1600. Plans are being made to allow reporters to phone and listen to the conference.
Science is an editorially independent, weekly general science journal founded in 1880 by Thomas Edison. Its articles consistently rank among the world’s most often cited research reports, as monitored by the Institute for Scientific Information. Over 7,000 research papers are submitted to Science each year. Approximately 12 percent were accepted in 1999. The journal’s Board of Reviewing Editors, which consists of 83 of the world’s top scientists, scrutinizes the scientific significance and credibility of most of these papers. About 35 percent of submissions go on for further peer review.
AAAS, the world’s largest federation of scientists, works to advance science for human well-being through its projects, programs and publications. With more than 138,000 members and 275 affiliated societies, AAAS conducts many programs in the areas of science policy, science education and international scientific cooperation. AAAS publishes Science, as well as a number of electronic features on the World Wide Web.
