Oct. 31, 2014 – This Week's Consolidation of Advocacy News
News
After Election 2014: COMPETES Reauthorization
Oct. 27, 2014 | Science Insider
The fifth in the “After Election 2014” series, this article investigates the future of the COMPETES reauthorization act, which is one of many laws governing federal policies on research and science education (it includes five year spending targets for NSF).
- Join the Advocacy Network to get updates on this and other legislation impacting neuroscientists today.
Should the Government Fund Only Science in the "National Interest"?
Oct. 29, 2014 | National Geographic News
Chairman of the House Science Committee Lamar Smith (R-TX) has led a charge against specific NSF-funded research that he finds “frivolous” or “wasteful,” and has sent aides to NSF’s national headquarters on a hunt for these grants. The article discusses the impact his actions could have on the future of congressional oversight of science funding.
- Learn about the congressional committees that are relevant to neuroscience through their relationship with either NIH or NSF.
NIH Proceeds with Caution on Sex Balance in Biomedical Studies
Oct. 28, 2014 | Scientific American
New NIH guidelines that will require scientists seeking funding to include both males and females in studies were scheduled to be implemented starting October 2014, but funding rules have not yet changed. NIH is currently gathering comments and feedback from researchers on the new policies.
- Submit your comments to NIH through this Request for Information.
Articles of Interest
Scientists Implicate More Than 100 Genes in Causing Autism
Oct. 29, 2014 | NPR
Findings from a series of studies involving thousands of participants have identified more than 100 spontaneous mutations in genes that may contribute to autism. Studies found that one group of mutations contributes to autism in high-IQ, high-functioning boys and another group to children of both sexes with low IQ.
- Learn more about autism at BrainFacts.org.
Not Just Lazy: Chronic Fatigue is Real, New Brain Scans Show
Oct. 29, 2014 | NBC TODAY
New research from Stanford sheds light on the neuroscience behind chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers found a reduction in the white matter of CFS patients, which may be the result of chronic inflammation. The arcuate fasciculus, which connects the two hemispheres of the brain, seemed particularly affected.
- Learn about chronic fatigue syndrome at BrainFacts.org.
Opinion
When Shared Data is Not Reproducible: Science is Broken–But It Can Be Fixed
Oct. 28, 2014 | Wired
Moshe Pritsker, co-founder and CEO of the scientific publishing company JoVE, offers suggestions to increase the replicability of scientific results.
- Learn more about scientific rigor at Neuroscience 2014.
Opinion: Separate Training from Research Budgets
Oct. 27, 2014 | The Scientist
Author Viviane Callier discusses the “misuse of money and talent” in science training and how graduate and postdoctoral training have become “increasingly exploitative.” The article discusses the role of postdocs in scientific research, and also discusses how most graduate students are supported by federal grants yet leave academia. The author proposes that funding agencies should make research funding and training funding separate in order to help address these issues.
Animal Experimentation for Medical Research Must Continue, Say Leading Academics
Oct. 28, 2014 | The Jerusalem Post
Last week, a group including presidents of universities and Nobel Prize laureates called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to protect medical science through the continued humane use of animals for research.
- Learn more about the responsible use of animals in research at BrainFacts.org.