Oct. 25, 2013 - This Week’s Consolidation of Advocacy News
News
Pentagon Agency to Spend $70 Million on Brain Research
Oct. 24, 2013 | The New York TimesThe Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency announced Thursday that it intends to spend their share of funds devoted to the BRAIN Initiative plus more over five years to develop the next level of brain implants, either by improving deep brain stimulation or developing new technology. Their hope is to be able to monitor the signs of illness or injury and the effects of its treatment in real time.
- Come to SfN’s annual meeting event: "Understanding New Brain Initiatives in the U.S. and Europe" on November 11 at 1:15 p.m. in San Diego! Find more information »
Law Change on Research Animals
Oct. 18, 2013 | The New Zealand HeraldThe number of animals euthanized in New Zealand is being questioned as part of the government reform of animal welfare rules. A bill under consideration would require institutions to report the killing of animals that were bred, but not used, for research.
- Come to SfN’s annual meeting event: "Facing Challenges on Animal Research: Finding Guidance in Your Institution" on November 12 from 12-2 p.m. in San Diego! Find more information »
Spain Saves Research Council from Imminent Bankruptcy
Oct. 21, 2013 | NatureSpain's National Research Council has been brought back from the brink of financial disaster by a cash injection. The government approved additional funds of €70 million on Friday — close to the €75 million the institute's director had said was needed before the end of the year to save the institution from ruin.
- Find more information about global advocacy at SfN.org.
PubMed Debuts a Commenting System for All Its Papers
Oct. 23, 2013 | Popular SciencePubMed, the U.S.'s federally maintained database of scientific papers, is piloting a system that will allow scientists to leave online comments on papers.
- Read more information about our position on public access.
Research Highlights
Brain May Flush Out Toxins During Sleep
Oct. 17, 2013 | NIH NewsDuring sleep, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain increases dramatically due to the space between brain cells increasing, that may allow the brain to flush out toxins that build up during waking hours.
- Find the full article published in Science.
- Find more information for the public with an interest in neuroscience about brain activity during sleep at BrainFacts.org.
Genetic Variation Alters Efficacy of Antidepressant
Oct. 22, 2013 | SfN News ReleaseHaving a different form of a gene that regulates the brain chemical noradrenaline influences how well men remember negative memories after taking the antidepressant drug reboxetine, according to a study published in the October 23 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. The findings demonstrate how genes can influence antidepressant response.
- Read the full article at The Journal of Neuroscience.
- Find more information for the public with an interest in neuroscience about depression and the development of new therapies at BrainFacts.org.
Opinion
Trouble at the Lab
Oct. 19, 2013 | The EconomistThis article discusses how many scientific papers actually publish “true” findings (even if they are peer-reviewed) and how an emphasis on reproducing results may help scientists sift through false positives, false negatives and truth.
- Stay informed about the development of this issue by signing up for the Advocacy Network.
Mini Brains and Human–Mouse Hybrids Could Reveal the Brain’s Wiring Diagram
Oct. 23, 2013 | Scientific AmericanIn light of the requirement of cutting edge tools to study the human brain as part of the BRAIN Initiative, SfN member Christopher A. Walsh discusses how stem cells might fill a need because of their ability to recapitulate many aspects of nervous tissue development.
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