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The United States remains the leader in science and technology globally, despite perceptions that the country is losing its competitive edge, according to a new report released today.

According to the RAND Corporation, a non-profit based in Santa Monica, the United Sates accounts for 40 percent of the total world's spending on scientific research and development, employs 70 percent of the globe's Nobel Prize winners and is home to three-quarters of the world's top 40 universities.

"Much of the concern about the United States losing its edge as the world's leader in science and technology appears to be unfounded," said Titus Galama, co-author of the report and a management scientist at RAND. "But the United States cannot afford to be complacent. Effort is needed to make sure the nation maintains or even extends its standing."

The report said that the United States has been able to maintain its worldwide lead because of an inflow of foreign students in the sciences as well scientists and engineers from overseas. The report said,"Continuing this flow of foreign-born talent is critical to helping the United States maintain its lead."

The report also recommended that the U.S. make it easier for foreigners who have graduated from U.S. universities with science and engineering degrees to stay indefinitely.

In recent years, around 70 percent of the foreign scientists and engineers who have received PhDs from U.S. universities choosen to remain here, but that number could fall as salaries improve abroad.