This Week in Science Policy and Advocacy
Policy and Advocacy News
Little Holiday Cheer for U.S. Science Agencies as Congress Extends Spending Freeze
December 22, 2017 | Science
A continuing resolution, passed December 21st, avoids a government shutdown until January 19th, but puts agencies’ 2018 budgets on hold. A budget agreement raising the caps on discretionary spending would benefit NSF and allow for NIH to receive its Senate approved $2 billion increase.
- Join the Advocacy Network to stay informed about issues related to neuroscience research at SfN.org
Dozens More Selective Colleges Join Pledge to add Lower-Income Students
December 23, 2017 | Washington Post
Selective colleges and universities have joined the American Talent Initiative to expand higher education access to low income students. As public financial aid and higher education funding struggles, the American Talent Initiative aims to collectively impact college affordability for Pell-grant qualifying students.
- Find Neuroscience Funding at SfN.org
Opinion
The Republican Tax Bill Will Devastate Science
December 22, 2017 | Scientific American
In this op-ed, Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) describes how loss of federal tax revenue will negatively influence science. Perlmutter argues that the loss of revenue, and resulting increase to the debt, will hinder Congress’s ability to invest in scientific programs and lead to funding issues for science agencies in the future.
- Learn about U.S. advocacy programs at SfN.org
Articles of Interest
Cracking the Brain's Enigma Code
December 27, 2017 | Scientific American
Use of prediction in cryptography has now been repurposed to facilitate brain-computer interface decoding. A recent study gathered statistics about animal movements, such as horizontal and vertical speed, and found that these statistics were able to predict actual movements as well as moment-to-moment movement decoding.
- Read more about brain-computer interfaces at BrainFacts.org
Breakthrough for Genetic Hearing Loss as Gene Editing Prevents Deafness in Mice
December 20, 2017 | The Guardian
A new study successfully prevented genetic hearing loss in mice using Crispr. Injecting Crispr eliminated TMC1, a dominant, mutated gene often responsible for progressive, early-life deafness. Researchers hope these finding could be used to develop a cure for certain genetic forms of deafness.
- Learn about the role of hair cells in hearing at BrainFacts.org
CRISPR Proves Promising for Treating ALS in Mice
December 21, 2017 | The Scientist
Introduction of the SOD1 gene via Crispr gene-editing prolonged survival and decreased behavioral impairments in a mouse model of ALS. The SOD1 gene is responsible for many inherited cases of ALS making it a possible treatment target.
- Read more about gene editing technologies at BrainFacts.org
3 Brain Technologies to Watch in 2018
December 28, 2017 | STAT
This article looks at fast-moving areas of neuroscience expected to progress in 2018 with corporate and academic support. Neurotechnologies mentioned include neural dust, brain machine interfaces, and organoids.
- Learn about other emerging technologies in neuroscience at BrainFacts.org
Exercise to Improve Memory and Slow Dementia, New Recommendations Say
December 27, 2017 | Newsweek
The American Academy of Neurology issued guidelines for what can be done for patents who are beginning to see signs of cognitive decline. Recommendations include moderate exercise, cognitive training, and avoiding medication that can lead to confusion.
- Find more about healthy aging at BrainFacts.org
