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RAND experts have often been among the pioneers of key scientific research, including computer analysis, satellite development, military technology, and the foundations of the Internet. RAND's research has also resulted in the development of new methodologies and ways of analyzing policy issues, from the Delphi method to Robust Decision Making.

Report
Machine Learning and Gene Editing at the Helm of a Societal Evolution
The confluence of machine learning and gene editing has the potential to transform health care, agriculture, national security, and many other fields. How can policymakers minimize the risks and maximize the benefits?
Oct 23, 2023
Commentary
UFO Research Is Only Harmed by Antigovernment Rhetoric
There is an undercurrent of conspiracy theory and, relatedly, antigovernment sentiment brewing around the issue of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). If it grows, it could prove toxic to any factual and scientific discussion of UAPs.
Sep 22, 2023

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Journal Article
Predicting the Quality of Revisions in Argumentative Writing
The ability to revise is key to students’ writing success. Identifying whether an argument revision (AR) is successful is complex because it depends on the argument context (AC). We developed Chain-of-Thought prompts to facilitate ChatGPT-generated ACs for AR quality predictions.
Nov 30, 2023
Commentary
One More Chance for COP Reform
The 28th U.N.-sponsored Conference of the Parties (COP) on climate change looks set to be a replay of earlier COPs. The consistent shortfall in achieving climate goals has meant that the parties to COP discuss the same items year after year. Perhaps it is time for COP to take a new look at its own decisionmaking process?
Nov 30, 2023
Commentary
Creating the Uncrewed-Centric Navy of the Mid–21st Century
The emergence of uncrewed technologies in all domains can enable the Navy to achieve greater capacity and operate in harm's way by avoiding over-concentration of combat power in too few assets. There is a need for relentlessly committed leadership that aims for an uncrewed-centric navy by mid-century, while integrating new and legacy assets to manage the long, gradual transition.
Nov 30, 2023
Report
Conflict Projections in U.S. Central Command: Incorporating Climate Change
This report presents an analysis of the impact of climate change on the frequency of conflict in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Nov 29, 2023
Commentary
BBC's Gaza Service Demonstrates Power of Radio During Conflict
Radio has long been used during conflicts to relay news and information when all other means of communication are knocked out of service. The U.S. Agency for Global Media could follow the lead of the BBC World Service and establish a pop-up station to provide safety and supply updates, emergency medical information, and news to the people in Gaza.
Nov 28, 2023
Journal Article
A Comparative Look at Various Countries' Legal Regimes Governing Automated Vehicles
This article summarizes the makeup of AV legal regimes of Australia, China, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom, with a focus on law and policy relating to highly to fully automated vehicles.
Nov 27, 2023
Report
Improving Acquisition and Sustainment Outcomes for Military Commercial Derived Aircraft: The KC-46A Pegasus Experience
The authors of this report examine improvement in acquisition and sustainment of commercial derivative aircraft using a case study of the KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tanker.
Nov 21, 2023
Report
Life Cycle Management of Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft: Improving FAA Certification, Implementation of Digital Engineering and Sustainment Strategy
Drawing on interviews with U.S. Air Force, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and industry experts, the authors assess the benefits and challenges of (and propose best practices for) commercial derivative aircraft acquisition.
Nov 21, 2023
Report
Identifying and Prioritizing Systemically Important Entities: Advancing Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
This report helps the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency codify the concept of systemically important critical infrastructure by documenting the work surrounding systemic risks and cyber risks in software supply chains.
Nov 20, 2023
Blog
'Israel's 9/11,' Promoting the 988 Hotline, the Future of Space: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on why the Oct. 7 attack wasn't Israel's 9/11, humanity's future approach to space, the pressing need to ensure more people know about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and more.
Nov 17, 2023
Report
An Assessment of U.S.-Allied Nations' Industrial Bases in Quantum Technology
The authors assess the quantum industrial bases of several U.S.-allied nations that are major players in the development of quantum technology, beginning with a global look and then focusing on Australia, the UK, Germany, and Japan.
Nov 16, 2023
Report
Making Sense of Pathogen Surveillance
Pathogen surveillance—collecting and sharing data about infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance—informs key public health decisions. What pathogen surveillance initiatives exist currently? And what are the main challenges they face?
Nov 15, 2023
Journal Article
Trends in Personal and Family Member Opioid Prescriptions Prior to a Diagnosis of an Opioid-Related Problem Among Adolescents and Young Adults
This study examined the proportion of adolescents and young adults who had an opioid-related problem and who also had a personal opioid prescription drug claim or had a family member with an opioid prescription drug claim prior to the diagnosis.
Nov 15, 2023
Report
Improving Instructor Hiring and Development at the Emergency Management Institute
The Emergency Management Institute is revising how it secures qualified, effective instructors. Researchers analyzed how instructors are hired and developed, pinpointed strengths and challenges, and identified best practices.
Nov 15, 2023
Commentary
What the REF 2021 Impact Case Studies Can Reveal About UK Research
A new study on the Research Excellence Framework 2021 impact case studies demonstrates the rich and varied impacts of UK research, and the extensive contribution of UK institutions and the academic community both nationally and globally.
Nov 15, 2023
Commentary
Ideas for Humanity's Future Approach to Space
In its first 75 years, RAND helped shape how humankind thought about and used space for the benefit of humanity. And it intends to have a similar impact on the next 75 years of space sustainability, security, and governance. Researchers identified concepts worthy of future study.
Nov 14, 2023
Report
Quantifying Vulnerability Lifespans for U.S. Marine Corps Joint Cyber Weapons
The authors generated novel vulnerability life span and software update cadence datasets. Datasets were used to quantify cost and operational time uncertainties, and estimate life-cycle costs of the U.S. Marine Corps Joint Cyber Weapons program.
Nov 14, 2023
Commentary
Biden Should Call China's Bluff on Responsible AI to Safeguard the 2024 Elections
Few in the Biden administration will be surprised to learn that Beijing is lying about its intentions and activities when it comes to influence operations. But lies, maybe even especially blatant ones, present diplomatic opportunity.
Nov 14, 2023
Journal Article
Overcoming the Challenges of Using Automated Technologies for Public Health Evidence Synthesis
This study outlines the challenges associated with the adoption of automated technologies to conduct evidence reviews within the public health sector, and the potential solutions and actions that can be taken to mitigate these.
Nov 13, 2023
Journal Article
Telehealth Adoption by Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities in the COVID-19 Pandemic
The study examined temporal and geographic trends in telehealth availability at U.S. behavioral health treatment facilities and risk factors for not offering telehealth.
Nov 13, 2023

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RAND Topic:
Science and Technology

Topic Synonyms:
S&T;
Scitech

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Douglas Yeung

Associate Director, Management, Technology, and Capabilities Program, RAND Homeland Security Research Division

Douglas Yeung is an associate director of the Management, Technology, and Capabilities Program (MTC) within the RAND Homeland Security Research Division (HSRD), and a senior behavioral and social scientist at the RAND Corporation. He is a member of the Pardee RAND Graduate School faculty. His…
Edward Parker

Physical Scientist

Edward Parker is a physical scientist at RAND and a professor of policy analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He is broadly interested in the societal impact of disruptive technologies, and his current research focuses on emerging quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and…

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