Quoted from the NSCSS Blog for Jan 24, 2007 at: http://consultingsoilscientists.blogspot.com/2007/01/nscss-supports-federal-research-public.html

The National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists supports S. 2695, the Federal Research Public Access Act of 2006, as introduced, in that it reflects NSCSS goals regarding the free exchange of information, promoting soil science technology, and eliminating unfair competition from taxpayer supported entities.

This will allow unprecedented access to soil science literature. For soil scientists around the world, this could mean the difference between either ready access or no access to the latest knowledge in areas like soil science, biology, hydrology, education, and environmental health. For those in a position to develop soil science education programs in developing countries, this initiative will provide a needed resource to help this to happen.

Keeping you informed on issues regarding scholarly communications…

The following new electronic reference books have recently been added to our “collection”:

Black’s Medical Dictionary, 41st Edition, A&C Black
Collins Dictionary of Biology
Encyclopedia of Computer Science, Wiley
Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Fossils, Philip’s
Guide to Seashells of the World, Philip’s
Guide to Stars and Planets, Philip’s
Guide to the Oceans, Philip’s
McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology

Although Springer-Verlag has taken over distribution of Indian Academy of Sciences journals, and will have its own online versions of them, the Indian Academy of Sciences will continue to provide open access to all of their journals at their own web site http://www.ias.ac.in/.

The Indian Academy of Sciences is to be commended for this service to the world scholarly community.

Here is a list of Indian Academy of Sciences publications:
Current Science
Journal of Chemical Sciences
Proceedings – Mathematical Sciences
Journal of Earth System Science
Sadhana (proceedings in engineering sciences)
Pramana – Journal of Physics
Journal of Biosciences
Bulletin of Materials Science
Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy
Journal of Genetics
Resonance – Journal of Science Education

For those interested in ancient life on earth, this site is a great resource. The Paleontology Portal, http://www.paleoportal.org, provides access to fossil images from many museum collections, explores paleontology investigations in the US by state and time period, fossil image database searchable by taxon and time and significant fossil localities and assemblages. There are extensive resources for educational activities and even career opportunities.

This site was developed by the University of California Museum of Paleontology in partnership with the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, the Paleontological Society, and the United States Geological Survey in Menlo Park, and funded by the national Science Foundation.