This Week in Science Policy and Advocacy
Policy and Advocacy News
In the Trump Administration, Science is Unwelcome. So is Advice
June 9, 2018 | The New York Times
This article highlights the lack of scientific representation in the Trump administration and across certain federal agencies. The piece also discusses concerns about the lack of a science advisor or a serious scientist to work with the President on issues like denuclearization and climate change.
- Join the Advocacy Network to stay informed about issues related to neuroscience research at SfN.org
How Universities Deal With Sexual Harassment Needs Sweeping Change, Panel Says
June 12, 2018 | The New York Times
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine issued a report calling on universities to make changes on how they handle sexual harassment. The report also offered 15 detailed recommendations on how institutions should move forward.
- Engage in US Advocacy Programs at SfN.org
NIH Outlines Plans for $500M to Combat Opioid Epidemic
June 12, 2018 | The Hill
NIH recently indicated how the Congressionally appropriated $500 million for opioid research will be spent through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative. Specifically, HEAL will have two main goals: developing pain management alternatives and improving treatments for opioid misuse.
- Learn about science funding resources at SfN.org
EU to World: Join Our €100-Billion Research Program
June 8, 2018 | Nature
The European Commission (EC) released plans to spend its largest research budget to date. For the first time, the EC will also allow researchers from other countries to respond for calls for research.
- Learn about global advocacy programs at SfN.org
More Restrictive U.S. Policy on Chinese Graduate Student Visas Raise Alarm
June 11, 2018 | Science
Citing national security reasons, the US State Department recently announced a crackdown on the length of visas issued for Chinese students in the fields of aviation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. As Chinese students attending US universities has become increasingly common, US STEM programs have developed dependency on the influx of international students, an order that may be affected by visa regulations changes.
- Read about SfN’s policy positions at SfN.org
Opinion
The Competitiveness of US Science
June 7, 2018 | The Washington Post
This letter to the editor addresses last week’s story entitled, “China is increasingly closing the science gap,” highlighting additional key points regarding the discussion of scientific prowess and the relationship between China and the US. Alex DeAngelis, a former East Asian and Pacific Programs director at NSF, argues that it is unrealistic for the US and China to equally benefit from scientific collaboration because China has historically gained more from US-China scientific diplomacy than the US and sends many students to be trained in the US.
- Learn about SfN’s international partners at SfN.org
Articles of Interest
China Is Genetically Engineering Monkeys with Brain Disorders
June 8, 2018 | The Atlantic
The article chronicles Guoping Feng, an endowed chair of neuroscience at MIT, as he establishes a new macaque colony in China for research involving CRISPR editing of genes related to autism. Feng cites difficulty performing similar macaque research in the US and the availability of non-human primates in China as motivation for expanding his laboratory to China.
- Read more about Animals in Research at SfN.org
Targeting Inflammation May Protect and Restore the Brain After Stroke
June 13, 2018 | Scientific American
Neuroprotection from damage has long been sought after by stroke researchers, but there has been limited success translating potential therapeutics in clinical trials. Promising new results reveal a targeted way of stopping immune cells from acting at the stroke site and demonstrate a new approach to the problem.
- Explore animal models of stroke at BrainFacts.org
