Weekly Advocacy News Roundup
News
Oversight Hearing: Federal Investments in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology
March 25, 2015 | PR Newswire
Steve Hyman, president of the Society for Neuroscience, testified at an oversight hearing on federal investment in neuroscience organized by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. A webcast of the hearing is available.
- Read Hyman’s Message from the President on becoming a science advocate.
Ukraine Joins Flagship European Research Programme
March 20, 2015 | Nature News
Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science signed an agreement that will allow Ukranian scientists to participate in Horizon 2020, which is the European Union’s “flagship” research program.
- Read more about neuroscience funding globally.
Science and Mathematics Boost Australia’s Economy by $145bn a Year
March 24, 2015 | The Guardian
A report commissioned by Australia’s chief scientist Ian Chubb found that advanced physical sciences and mathematics contributes $145 billion per year to the Australian economy and employs about 7 percent of the workforce.
- Find more information about global advocacy programs.
Obama, Wowed by Young Scientists, Announces New STEM Pledges
March 23, 2015 | Chicago Sun Times
President Obama used a recent science fair to announce more than $240 million in private sector commitments to boost STEM education, including support for early-career scientists. You can read the White House press release.
- Find information about U.S. Funding Priorities.
Articles of Interest
Battle Over Science Funding Gets Fiercer In U.S. Congress
March 23, 2015 | Scientific American
As conflict between leaders in Congress and U.S. science agencies has continued to grow, science advocates and researchers are concerned that science budgets will be cut and that the independence of research agencies is at risk.
- Join the Advocacy Network to stay informed and take action on issues related to neuroscience research.
Smell Test Helps Spot Brain Trauma in Combat Zones, Study Says
March 26, 2015 | U.S. News & World Report
The findings suggest that doctors in combat zones could use smell tests to help identify soldiers who require immediate brain scans, thereby improving frontline care of those with blast injuries, the researchers said.
- Read about the symptoms and treatments for traumatic brain injuries at BrainFacts.org.
How Brainy Are You About Brains? A Neuroscience Quiz.
March 26, 2015 | The Washington Post
Here are some of the questions participants in the 2015 USA National Brain Bee had to answer.
- Learn more about the Brain Bee at BrainFacts.org.
Opinion
U.S. Needs to Increase R&D Spending or Cede World Economic Leadership
March 18, 2015 | Mercury News
As other nations continue to increase their funding of research programs, this editorial discusses the importance of increasing funding for basic scientific research in the U.S.
