Dec. 26, 2014 – This Week's Consolidation of Advocacy News
News
Overhaul of Dutch Funding Agency Triggers Uproar
Dec. 23, 2014 | Science Insider
A government plan to reform the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research is causing an uproar among scientists, with many concerned that nonscientists will have too much power in making research grant decisions. Scientists are particularly concerned that applied research will be favored over basic research.
Court Declares Captive Orangutan is "Non-Human Person"
Dec. 21, 2014 | IFLS
An orangutan living in a zoo will be moved from the zoo to a wildlife sanctuary after a court declared the orangutan a non-human person with rights.
Science and Innovation Strategy Offers Little New Year’s Resolution
Dec. 22, 2014 | The Guardian
The UK government recently released their Science and Innovation Strategy, but many scientists feel it leaves more questions than answers about the future of UK science funding and policies.
Articles of Interest
The Retraction War
Dec. 23, 2014 | Aeon
While retraction was meant to be a way for self-correction of mistakes or misconduct in science, retraction can now either wipe out a career or be so mild that it goes ignored. This article discusses the role of retraction in science, and how that role might change going forward.
Free Access to Science Research Doesn't Benefit Everyone
Dec. 22, 2014 | The Atlantic
While open-access science has a lot of potential, it also takes a lot of time, work, and money. This article discuses different aspects of scientific research and the challenges involved with making it more accessible.
Does Smartphone Use Smarten Up the Brain?
Dec. 23, 204 | LA Times
Swiss researchers used smartphone data to track how finger use changed the brain. They observed changes in the somatosensory cortex, which is the area of the brain that processes touch.
- Read more about senses and perception at BrainFacts.org.
Opinion
My View: Funding for the Future
Dec. 23, 2014 | Portland Tribune
Joe Robertson, president of the Oregon Health & Science University, discusses how NIH is underfunded in the current government spending bill. He discusses important discoveries made at OHSU with NIH funding and calls for Congress to support this work.
- Find more information about neuroscience funding through NIH.
A Worthy New Year's Resolution for the New Congress
Dec. 19, 2014 | Huffington Post
Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research! America, encourages the new Congress to "adopt a New Year's resolution that every American can embrace" and fund and support scientific research.
- Read about Congressional committees relevant to neuroscience funding.
