Articles tagged with Science Policy
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.'