This Week in Science Policy and Advocacy
Policy and Advocacy News
Why a Flat 2018 Budget Could Tie NSF's Hands
July 14, 2017 | Science
The House Appropriations committee approved a bill that would fund NSF’s research directorates at $6.03 billion, the same level as FY17. This article discusses the dangers associated with providing flat funding for NSF’s research directorates.
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NIH Fetal Tissue Research Would be Barred Under House Panel's Spending Plan
July 13, 2017 | STAT
The House subcommittee’s FY2018 draft spending bill, included a provision that would ban federal funds from being spent on research using fetal tissue. Scientists have come out against this provision, highlighting that fetal tissue aids scientists in understanding the causes of and finding treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s and ALS.
- Join the Advocacy Network to stay informed about issues related to neuroscience research at SfN.org
Relatively Few NIH Grantees Get Lion's Share of Agency's Funding
July 18, 2017 | Science
According new analysis, the top 10 percent of NIH grant winners received approximately 37 percent of NIH funding in 2015, while the bottom 40 percent of principal investigators (PIs) won approximately 12 percent. Researchers tracked the amount of money NIH awarded to grant recipients between 1985 and 2015. The difference in NIH funding is not surprising, but the new study serves as a reminder that funding inequalities have persisted over decades.
- Find science funding resources at SfN.org
To Woo Public, Europe Opens up on Animal Experiments, but U.S. Less Transparent
July 14, 2017 | Science
The nonprofit Understanding Animal Research (UAR), unveiled a platform allowing for virtual tours of animals research labs at four U.K. research institutions. This increase in transparency contrasts the level of transparency around animal research facilities in the U.S. One catalyst for the transparency push is believed to be the decrease in public acceptance of animal research in the U.K. between 2010 and 2012.
- Read more about animal research at SfN.org
Some Scientists Hate NIH's New Definition of a Clinical Trial. Here's Why.
July 19, 2017 | Science
William Riley, director of NIH’s Office of Behavior and Social Sciences Research, recently announced that the 2014 policy revision to NIH’s definition of clinical trials could expand to basic science studies that examine brain and behavior, not treatments. Critics of this expansion feel that it could result in public confusion, wasted resources, and harm exploratory research.
- Learn about U.S. advocacy programs at SfN.org
Opinion
Neuroscience Offers Insights into the Opioid Epidemic
July 21, 2017 | Bloomberg
Neuroscience research has uncovered greater insight into addiction and the impacts of opioid usage on the brain. The author argues that these discoveries are perfect examples of why the research and expertise of scientists should be called upon when making policy.
- Learn how to communicate your science at Neuronline
Another Tenure-Track Scientist Bites the Dust
July 19, 2017 | Science
The author tells the story of a scientist in need of grant funding to continue his career in order to highlight the shortcomings of the grant process. Through this story, the author points out how the ability to obtain grant funding can make or break a scientist’s career and the negative impact this can have on the scientific community.
- Learn more about the grant process at Neuronline
Articles of Interest
About One-Third of Dementia Cases Could be Prevented by Actions That Begin in Childhood, Experts Say
July 20, 2017 | The Los Angeles Times
According to a new report, more than 1 in 3 cases of forms of dementia and Alzheimer’s can be tied to preventable factors, such as poor education, obesity, hearing loss, and smoking. The factors present themselves starting in childhood, and the report concluded that if all of these problems were addressed, at least 35 percent of seniors could retain their memories and independence.
- Find more information about dementia and Alzheimer’s at BrainFacts.org
John McCain was Diagnosed with a Glioblastoma, Among the Deadliest of Cancers
July 20, 2017 | NPR
This article provides additional information on glioblastomas, the type of brain tumor Sen. John McCain was recently diagnosed with. Glioblastoma tumors can be extremely difficult to treat and are associated with high mortality rates, however doctors working with glioblastoma patients are starting to see more long-term survivors.
- Read more on brain tumors at BrainFacts.org
