Scientists: we need help: much 'unfinished business' for the next administration.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: WASHINGTON PULSE: NEWS FROM INSIDE THE BELTWAY

The nation's top scientists called for the next administration to reinvigorate government's focus on critical research areas and to help restore the credibility of the United States as a world leader in high technology. They lamented that the Bush administration since 9/11 has diverted resources from key scientific efforts and is leaving much unfinished business in areas such as climate change, homeland security, disaster preparedness and health care.

At the annual forum of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, panelists suggested that much work will need to be done to make up for Washington's...