Articles tagged with Science Policy
The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) was published today, with AGU congratulating its contributors. The assessment reports on record global temperatures, wildfires, droughts, and flooding disasters aggravated by human-driven climate change.
The Einstein Foundation Award recognizes efforts to improve research quality and promote credible scientific work. The award is presented in three categories to individual researchers, institutions, and early career researchers.
A team of international scientists cautions that reliance on mechanical cleanup devices to address plastic pollution is ineffective and may even harm marine life. They argue that reducing plastic production and consumption is the most cost-effective way to prevent further pollution.
A new report highlights Africa's deteriorating air quality, with particulate matter concentration levels five to ten times the World Health Organisation's recommended level. The researchers call for collective efforts, regionally tailored solutions, and global collaboration to tackle this issue.
A new study reveals that consumers place a higher value on products from circular economies due to the concept of psychological ownership. This finding suggests that businesses and policymakers can align strategies with consumer values to promote sustainable initiatives.
Researchers find that halting deforestation and restoring native vegetation are critical for Brazil to achieve its 2050 net zero goal. The study suggests that nature-based solutions can mitigate nearly 80% of Brazil's net zero pledge and reduce carbon emissions by 781 million tons per year.
The article outlines four governance reforms to strengthen SDG implementation, including differentiation, dynamization, legalization, and institutionalization. These reforms aim to increase ambition and effectiveness of the goals beyond 2030.
A study of 100 large businesses reveals a lack of transparency in reporting on ecosystem restoration efforts. Despite claiming to carry out restoration projects, many companies fail to report details such as project size, financial information, and ecological outcomes.
A study found that distributing small amounts of funding to a large number of researchers generates more new results and innovations than concentrating funds on a few excellent researchers. Research funding above 50 million yen leads to stagnant results, highlighting the importance of efficient allocation strategies.
A new essay highlights how news stories about healthcare workers during COVID-19 often left out crucial socioeconomic and environmental contexts, which can impact consumer thoughts and responses. By introducing a public health framework, experts aim to broaden storytelling and reframed scientific information dissemination.
A new analysis reveals that emission reductions from REDD+ programs have been overestimated, with most projects failing to significantly reduce deforestation. The study found that only a subset of projects have made substantial contributions to climate change mitigation, and many more credits are available than their actual value.
A new US Securities and Exchange Commission proposal could unveil substantial corporate carbon damages due to varying industrial compositions across countries. The top four industries account for 89% of global damages, with energy-intensive sectors contributing the most.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals the devastating impact of gold and mineral mining on tropical rivers worldwide. Mining operations have doubled suspended sediment concentrations at 80% of affected rivers, altering river ecosystems and threatening human health.
UK researchers have developed an evidence-based action plan to address the substantial under-representation of PhD students from ethnic minority backgrounds in postgraduate science studies. The study highlights three areas for improvement: student-facing improvements, admissions procedures, and evaluation processes.
A University of Missouri study reveals that being asked to weigh during a doctor's visit negatively affects female patients' emotions and self-esteem. Researchers advocate for policy changes to educate patients about their rights and promote weight-inclusive healthcare.
Lacking Medicare coverage for screening CTC may contribute to greater income-based differences in its use compared to other recommended screening strategies or diagnostic CTC. Medicare coverage of CTC could reduce income-based disparities for individuals avoiding optical colonoscopy due to invasiveness or complication risk.
A new dynamic systems model supports low-carbon transitions by analyzing local stability and formulating effective policy strategies. The model aligns with Agent-Based Models, enabling policymakers to make informed choices and align national policies with sustainable development goals.
Research on pregnant individuals faces challenges due to restrictive abortion laws, which can expose participants to health risks or compromise informed consent. Researchers must consider provisions for safe abortion access and explicit informed consent documents to advance scientific knowledge.
Researchers warn of growing adverse impacts of light pollution on plants, animals, and entire ecosystems. Light pollution causes habitat loss, disrupts food webs, and declines insect populations.
Expert authors suggest a holistic approach to understanding compliance, considering legal and institutional aspects to generate trust among member states. They argue against one-size-fits-all solutions and formal sanctioning power, proposing a more nuanced approach to ensure effective pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
Researchers propose a four-step process for guiding the use of ChatGPT in education, identifying desired outcomes, determining automation levels, ensuring ethical considerations, and evaluating effectiveness. The study finds that ChatGPT can improve teaching models, assessment systems, and student learning experiences.
A Pharmacy PhD student from the University of Huddersfield has won a prestigious award to present her research on how community pharmacies can contribute to preventing suicide in low and middle-income countries, particularly in Nigeria. She aims to raise awareness of suicide and train pharmacists to recognize signs and risk factors.
A study of 5302 patients found no significant difference in bleeding events between those temporarily discontinuing and maintaining antithrombotic therapy during image-guided breast biopsies. The findings support the safety of continuing antithrombotic therapy, but counsel patients on bruising risk.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that bypassing misinformation, rather than directly addressing it, can be an effective way to change people's minds. By focusing on positive facts and conclusions, individuals can be persuaded without feeling attacked or contradicted.
The American Association of Science recommends that US universities develop a risk management framework for collaborations with China. This approach outlines clear lines that will not be crossed in collaborations, including avoiding training or research with China's military or defense universities.
A two-day workshop hosted by PPPL discussed the risks and benefits of fusion energy, including concerns about nuclear proliferation and energy justice. Experts emphasized the need for open discussion and regulation to ensure safe and equitable deployment of fusion power.
A study by Carnegie Mellon researchers found that about 10% of US pipeline compressor stations are electric, making them vulnerable to electric outages. Electric outages could force a loss greater than 2 gigawatts of downstream gas generators, causing significant reductions in available gas.
The latest issue of PLOS Biology features a special collection on biology-based solutions to reduce plastic pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, and produce food or energy more sustainably. Insect enzymes may degrade plastic waste, while photosynthetic algae can capture CO2 produced by industrial applications.
The article provides 12 recommendations to enhance the quality of surveys, including transparency, clarity, and correcting the record. The recommendations aim to address challenges in survey research, such as biased responses and inaccurate forecasts.
A global approach is proposed to integrate natural history museum collections, providing a valuable resource for addressing global issues like invasive species, biodiversity conservation, and climate change. The vast collections held by museums worldwide are becoming increasingly important in policy-relevant research.
Experts call for a legally-binding treaty to govern Earth's orbit, citing the growing threat of satellite debris. With an expected 60,000 satellites in orbit by 2030, scientists warn that large parts of space could become unusable if action is not taken immediately.
A report by Queensland University of Technology highlights the struggle of international experts who warned about COVID-19 airborne transmission in early 2020. The group's warnings were initially rejected by the World Health Organisation, leading to delays in implementing control measures that could have saved lives.
A new approach, CAITE, leverages copyleft licensing and patent trolling to regulate AI development and deployment. The system would enforce ethical terms and conditions on AI products and derivatives.
A nationwide survey found that Americans are more willing to use polygenic embryo selection (PGT-P) than germline gene editing for educational purposes, with high-education individuals under 35 being the most accepting. The study also highlights concerns about potential health and social inequalities.
A new game theory study by Professor Claudius Gros finds that unregulated competition can lead to catastrophic poverty for investors, with profits scaling as 1/N². Cooperation among investors can avoid this damage, resulting in a net profit corresponding to the number of investors.
The NIH-led research response to COVID-19 included the rapid development of mRNA vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, as well as improved diversity in clinical trials. The success of this effort has highlighted the importance of collective effort and continuous investment in basic and applied research.
Researchers summarize key findings from two Reviews on Amazon deforestation and degradation. Human activities are changing ecosystems at unprecedented rates, threatening the planet's carbon and water cycles. Transformative policies are required to address these impacts and reduce economic demands driving deforestation.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences is reorganizing its institutes into four categories to focus on basic research, applied science, and regional development. However, concentrating resources on creating centers of big-science research infrastructure may bring more distinct competitiveness to the CAS.
Farming edible insects could improve food security by reducing resource intensity and increasing protein content. Insects have the potential to replace conventional livestock feed, offering unique nutrients and health benefits for animals, while transforming low-value agricultural waste into high-quality feed.
The study finds China's YTT program successfully recruits and nurtures top-caliber scientists, who outperform peers in publications due to increased team size and funding. The findings suggest policy adjustments are needed to support young scientists.
Most universities lag behind industry in using data generated by their institutions to inform key decisions. Common challenges include a lack of staff expertise in data management and tension among stakeholders regarding data access and control.
A recent guidance framework highlights substantial gaps in biosecurity policies for dual-use research of concern and work proposing to enhance pandemic pathogens. Experts suggest expanding pathogen governance and making risk assessments publicly available.
Global climate investments are needed to meet ambitious goals, but many barriers hinder progress. The authors identify 'fair-share' regional contributions that better describe the direction of financial flows needed equitably.
A new study argues that India's expanding energy sector needs to balance climate change, air pollution, and social inequality. The analysis found that current policies are insufficient to cut emissions or reduce air quality inequities nationwide.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that while the pandemic disrupted city sustainability efforts in some cases, it also increased focus on certain types of initiatives. Nearly half of cities reported negative effects on program implementation, but 75% said sustainability staffing was not affected.
A new two-year project is being launched to reduce the spread of retracted research and improve confidence in scientific discovery. The goal is to create a system that can signal retraction status consistently to humans and machines.
A new European study confirms that banning menthol cigarettes leads to increased smoking cessation rates, with 26.1% of menthol smokers quitting compared to 14.1% of non-menthol smokers. The study also finds that a proposed US ban on menthol cigarettes could lead to over 1.3 million quitters.
The ANEMEL project aims to develop efficient electrolysers for green hydrogen production, targeting low-grade water sources. The €3 million EU funding will expedite prototype design and catalyse commercialisation of the technology.
Millions of schoolchildren in the US and Canada are exposed to potentially harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through stain-resistant school uniforms. The study found concentrations as high as those in outdoor clothing, posing health risks such as cancer and severe COVID-19 outcomes.
The US FDA is reassessing its need for animal tests in product development, exploring alternative methods that could improve efficacy and safety predictions. New technologies like microphysiological systems may replace traditional animal studies, enabling faster product approval.
The FDA's longstanding confidentiality practices have prevented data sharing with other regulatory agencies worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. New transparency policies could promote US scientific and regulatory leadership and advance global health by enabling greater data sharing.
The FORTHEM alliance, a nine-university network in Europe, will receive nearly EUR 14.4 million in funding from the European Commission for the next four years. This funding will support the expansion of mobility offerings for students and staff, as well as the development of common infrastructure to foster a transnational European Uni...
The US is lagging in establishing a unified open research commons due to lack of leadership, focus, and coordination. This is hindering productivity and innovation in solving global problems like climate change.
A new pandemic treaty could transform global health governance by addressing spillover risk, pandemic risk, and recovery strategies. The proposed elements focus on proactive measures to prevent pandemics from occurring in the first place.
Pharmaceutical compounds can bioaccumulate in wild animals and alter behavior, survival rates, and even drive species to extinction. Further ecotoxicological research is needed to evaluate the ecological impacts of pharmaceutical pollution, including mixture effects on complex natural systems.
National data indicate that expanded access to methadone treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to increased harms, but rather declined percentage of overdose deaths involving methadone. This evidence supports expanding take-home treatment for opioid use disorder.
A new study published in Environmental Research: Climate reveals the Earth's energy imbalance is crucial for understanding and addressing climate change. The research found that 93% of extra heat from the imbalance ends up in the oceans, increasing their temperature and sea level, leading to more frequent extreme weather events.
A study by Mary Blair-Loy and colleagues reveals that hiring rubrics can improve diversity in faculty hiring but require additional strategies to combat gender bias. The researchers found that even with seemingly objective evaluation processes, gender bias remains endemic in some scoring categories.
The Safeguard project recommends improving pollinator knowledge, tackling causes of decline, and raising awareness to reverse the 2030 pollinator loss objective. European Commission's public consultation gathered views on strengthening the current framework on wild pollinators.
Dr. Mona Fouad has been recognized for her leadership in health disparities research and commitment to equity in healthcare. Her work has led to the development of rigorous research and interventions to make healthcare more accessible to historically underserved populations.