Articles tagged with Science Policy
Racial gaps in NIH grant funding are attributed to the subjective review process and lack of diversity among reviewers. The NIH has proposed initiatives to address these disparities, including appointing diversity officers and allocating funding for research on health equity and health disparities.
Environmental advocates argue that chemical recycling doesn't eliminate single-use plastics, which remain a significant pollution concern. The Biden administration is seeking comment on exempting industry processes from Clean Air Act regulations, amid growing state legislation encouraging advanced recycling.
A new $5 million center, MIXR, aims to develop, test and certify XR technologies in medicine and healthcare. The collaboration between academia, industry and government will improve medical training, patient management and health outcomes.
The CWC and OPCW must adapt to emerging threats, including reinforcement of international norms against CW use and development of new monitoring tools.
Rapidly growing market of antibiotic-free meat and poultry is threatened by lax labeling policies, warns a new study. Current authorization processes lack empirical testing, allowing antibiotics-treated animals into the supply chain, undermining RWA claims.
A new study suggests China has surpassed the US in one key measure of national research success. Using a different measurement method than traditional methods, researchers found that Chinese research ranked as high as or higher than US work in the top 1% of scientific studies in 2019.
The Chinese science grant system is helping to facilitate problematic or false science due to limited sanction and enforcement tools. To improve research integrity, Tang proposes suggestions that could help strengthen funding agencies' roles in addressing these issues.
The EPA has introduced a new policy to evaluate the impact of pesticides on endangered species before new products are introduced to the market. The policy requires consultation with wildlife services and aims to mitigate adverse effects, but challenges remain due to differing approaches and thresholds between agencies.
A new glossary aims to reduce barriers to entry and understanding in the Open Scholarship movement by clarifying terms like 'CARKing' and 'HARKing'. Researchers also highlight positive practices such as 'slow science', which encourages more time for data collection and literature reading.
A new study examines the 'skunk' smell and other emissions from cannabis production, finding they can be equivalent to livestock operations. The review highlights gaps in knowledge about cannabis emissions and their impact on air quality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected biomedical research, with a significant shift in priorities towards COVID-19-related studies. Publications and clinical trials in non-COVID fields decreased by up to 25%, while COVID-19-related research saw a surge in publications and grants.
Public trust in science increased in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic, with stronger increases among educated individuals and those supporting the left-wing party. Despite this rise, public trust declined slightly by November 2020, highlighting the need for effective communication strategies to maintain trust
Agricultural researcher Benjamin Schiek developed a mathematical method to better allocate resources across different policies and projects. The method calculates correlations between institutional research projects and strategic objectives, revealing synergies and trade-offs, enabling more informed funding decisions.
The opioid crisis in the US has reached epidemic levels, with over 100,000 drug overdose deaths reported for the first time. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributes the rise to abuse of synthetic opioid fentanyl and the COVID-19 pandemic.
A recent study found an increase in intentional drug overdose deaths among young people aged 15-24, older adults aged 75-84, and non-Hispanic Black women. Despite a downward trend in overall deaths, these subgroups saw a rise in intentional overdose death rates, with women ages 45 to 64 having the highest rates.
USC researchers develop highly accurate model to predict Covid-19 risk by combining anonymized cellphone location data with mobility patterns. The system shows a 50% improvement in accuracy compared to current systems, enabling targeted policy decisions at neighborhood or zip code levels.
A longitudinal survey of over 3,000 adolescents aged 11-14 found that supportive relationships with family and friends, physical activity, and better sleep helped shield against the pandemic's negative impact on mental health. Girls were more likely than boys to experience psychological distress during the pandemic.
The global chemical industry aims to recover from the pandemic while addressing consumer demand for sustainable products. Investments in carbon capture and clean technology will continue to rise, while companies rethink packaging and manufacturing methods to reduce waste.
A comprehensive assessment of scientific integrity in US government agencies reveals sound policies but also issues that undermine public trust and scientist morale. The report identifies best practices to reinforce a culture of integrity and proposes additional principles to strengthen scientific integrity across government.
The use of self-spreading viruses in wildlife management and vaccine development poses significant risks due to their unpredictable nature. International institutions must be leveraged to address concerns and promote responsible research practices.
The US FDA's early approval of Aduhelm sparked worries about the lack of post-approval studies. Insufficient company incentives and patient participation hinder meaningful trials.
A non-partisan COVID-19 commission could provide a clear-eyed assessment of the US response to the pandemic and recommend steps for improvement. The commission should evaluate public health infrastructure, warnings and origins of the virus, and adequacy of pandemic preparedness.
Reducing ammonia emissions is more cost-effective than focusing solely on nitrogen oxide reduction for mitigating PM2.5 air pollution. The abatement cost of ammonia emission is only 10% of that required to eliminate equivalent NOx emissions, making it a priority for global health and environmental concerns.
A team of psychological scientists and criminologists recommend testing eyewitness memory only once to prevent contaminated memories from convicting innocent people. The first identification is the most reliable test, which can avoid further contamination and ensure justice.
The Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro has partnered with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute to promote collaboration and information sharing in brain research. This partnership aims to accelerate the pace of discovery and bring novel treatments to patients with neurological disorders.
Research from University of Pennsylvania team shows that vaccine mandates have positive effects on vaccination intentions, particularly for those who oppose forced behavior. Mandates strengthen vaccination intentions, regardless of racial or ethnic group, and for individuals with a disposition towards psychological reactance.
The Human Brain Project's Scientific Conference presents abundant scientific achievements in neuroscience, brain medicine, and technology. Renowned experts discuss past, present, and future of brain research, highlighting the role of HBP in driving innovation.
FORTHEM, a European University Alliance, has welcomed two new members: the University of Agder in Norway and Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu in Romania. This expansion aims to increase student mobility, create a virtual campus, and merge research programs across member universities.
A new study has detected high levels of PFAS chemicals in indoor air, particularly in carpets and other products treated with the forever chemicals. The research suggests that children may be exposed to these harmful substances through inhalation, highlighting the need for reduced use of PFAS in products.
The conference, INGSA2021, aims to strengthen global coordination in science advice and promote open science. Key findings include the importance of digital technologies and AI in reshaping the profession and the need for partnerships to drive economic and social development.
The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina hosted a virtual symposium to discuss cancer research, particularly pancreatic cancer, and palliative care. Experts shared insights into the development of rare pancreatic tumors, mechanisms leading to metastasis formation, and resilience in palliative care.
Researchers will explore the beginning of human life, the role of gut bacteria, and collective intelligence in honeybees. Experts from various fields will share their findings on protein biochemistry, glycobiology, and epigenetic regulation, among other topics.
The symposium aims to discuss associated risks, policy options, and trends from a scientific point of view. Key experts from Germany, Israel, and the US will share their insights on fake news, hate speech, and conspiracy theories' influence on democratic participation.
The article suggests that disagreements over scientific facts reflect deeper social value differences. Science can become suspect when it neglects competing values, leading to eroded public trust.
The 2021 SSA Annual Meeting will showcase the latest seismological research globally, with sessions on recent earthquakes and new technologies for monitoring glacier change. Journalists can register for free access to technical presentations and events.
The Society for Risk Analysis awarded six scholarly and service awards, naming seven new Fellows for outstanding contributions to risk analysis. The recipients include Roger Flage, Ann Bostrom, Amber Jessup, Richard Forshee, Tom Burke, Anthony Fauci, and six others.
Algorithms can adopt collusive pricing rules without human intervention, posing a threat to consumers. A multidisciplinary policy design is proposed to investigate AI pricing algorithms for collusion in controlled environments.
The BMJ argues that suppressing science is a danger to public health and maladministration of taxpayers' money when entangled with commercial decisions. To safeguard science, full disclosure of competing interests and transparency about decision-making systems are essential.
A new study finds that acknowledging uncertainty in epidemiological models can increase public trust, while catastrophic messaging may undermine it. Researchers also discovered that criticism from Democrats can erode confidence in science, highlighting the need for careful communication about COVID-19 science.
The National Association of Science Writers has recognized outstanding investigative journalism with the 2020 Science in Society Journalism Awards. The award-winning entries include 'Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom,' 'Cigarette Butts Are Everywhere,' and 'The Confession.'
Researchers recommend avoiding all per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) for nonessential uses, citing their extreme persistence and toxicity. Studied PFAS have been linked to various serious health problems, including cancer and endocrine disruption.
The authors present five criteria of quality for evaluating research during the pandemic. Researchers and stakeholders must evaluate studies based on importance, rigor, analytical integrity, transparency, and feasibility to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively.
A UMass Amherst climate scientist is contributing to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. The report assesses the latest scientific knowledge on sea-level rise, ocean changes, and their impacts on coastal communities.
The Apollo 11 lunar landing has left a lasting legacy in planetary science, providing insights into the Moon's formation and geology. Recent lunar exploration missions, such as China's Chang'E-4 program, continue to advance our understanding of the Moon and its potential for future human exploration.
Online discussions with community expectations posting increased newcomer participation by 70% and rule compliance by 8.4%. Ensuring visible community norms benefits group dynamics.
A recent study found that flood mapping information in Canada is inadequate, incomplete and hard to locate, leaving homeowners exposed to significant financial risk. The study highlights the need for better information availability to help homeowners determine if their homes are at risk from flooding.
A new study finds that 28% of endangered species are unprotected by CITES, with 62% needing up to 24 years for protection. Experts recommend speeding up the policymaking process to prevent extinction.
A recent study published in American Political Science Review found that people's policy positions shift when informed of their party leader's stance on a controversial issue. Researchers used President Trump's statements to test the effect of party loyalty versus policy loyalty.
A new model estimates the economic toll of fisheries closures off the West Coast, predicting losses of $5.8 million to $8.9 million and 200 to 330 job losses. The study aims to help policymakers anticipate the effects of future closures and plan management decisions accordingly.
A recent study in Oregon revealed that more than half of the public consider alcohol to be more harmful than marijuana. The study found a significant correlation between age and perceived harm, with younger people substantially more likely to view alcohol as more harmful.
A new algorithm developed by ETH Zurich and Stanford University aims to increase employment opportunities for refugees in Switzerland by up to 73%. By analyzing data on refugees' characteristics and labor market conditions, the algorithm provides a tailored recommendation for which canton each refugee is most likely to find work.
A survey found that public trust in science increased after the launch of the first human trial of a Zika vaccine, with people showing greater trust in science and paying more attention to news about the Zika virus. The study suggests that regularized communication about scientific advances could bolster confidence in science.
The Indian summer monsoons have strengthened in the last 15 years over north central India, reversing a 50-year drying period. This increase in monsoon rainfall is attributed to a shift in India's land and sea temperatures, with higher land temperatures combining with lower ocean temperatures.
The article highlights the need for science to inform policies addressing addiction, citing technological advances that have contributed to increasing rates of addictions. Science can also be used to counteract addictions through better drug regulation and programs addressing long-term brain changes.
The Wildlife Conservation Society emphasizes the importance of science in wildlife conservation, citing numerous examples including the prevention of American Bison extinction and forest elephant population recovery. Science informs their work through research papers, protected areas establishment, and policy development.
Researchers suggest using a deliberative frame in questions to promote democracy and healthy politics. The approach has shown promise in online town halls between Congress members and constituents, leading to high marks and repeated participation.
The BMJ warns that Trump's administration may damage health by suppressing research and limiting communication on scientific topics deemed politically inconvenient. This could harm public health efforts globally.
Experts recommend that laws legalizing marijuana outline restrictions on age, frequency of use, potency, and advertising to prevent abuse. They also emphasize the need for additional research to guide informed policy decisions.
AGU evaluates shifting science landscape and climate concerns, including air pollution's impact on desert southwest. Researchers also explore Mars' possible warming due to greenhouse effect.
A new study reveals that people favor policies that reward voluntary behavior and create advantages, while opposing those that punish obligatory behavior or create disadvantages. By understanding this 'matching effect,' policymakers can improve policy acceptance rates.