Weekly Advocacy News Roundup
News
UK Science And Research Will Survive Brexit, Royal Society President Says
July 26, 2016 | International Business TimesThe article explains the evidence for and against the notion that the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union and its impact on science funding and ability to recruit new scientists. Most of the evidence is anecdotal at this time, and the final answer is yet unknown.
- Find out how neuroscience is funded around the world at SfN.org.
Obama administration warns Congress funding to fight Zika is running out
August 3, 2016 | CBS News
U.S. agencies overseeing the government's response to the Zika virus are going to soon run out of money for those efforts. The administration requested $1.9 billion in emergency funding to continue to combat the disease, but Congress, which is currently on recess, has not passed the bill. When they return in September to pass spending bills for the rest of the government, the President warns it may be too late.
- Stay involved with your member of Congress during the August recess. Find out how at SfN.org.
NIH Plans To Lift Ban On Research Funds For Part-Human, Part-Animal Embryos
August 4, 2016 | National Public Radio
The National Institutes of Health is proposing a new policy to permit scientists to get federal money to make human-animal embryos, known as chimeras, under certain carefully monitored conditions. NIH’s Associate Director for Science Policy Carrie Wolinetz wrote a blog post explaining more here.
- Visit SfN’s Animals in Research page to stay up to date on these issues.
Audit: Reporting requirements for grant money are too burdensome
July 25, 2016 | FedScoop
An audit suggests that grant requirements are overly and unnecessarily burdensome for researchers. The auditors interviewed representatives from the Office of Management and Budget, Energy Department, NASA, National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. Many of these agencies have agreed generally with the findings.
- Join SfN’s Advocacy Network to stay up to date on this issue.
Articles of Interest
Basic Research of the Brain Unlocks Myriad Discoveries and Gives Us a Path Toward New Treatments
August 1, 2016 | Research!America Blog
In this blog post, SfN Government and Public Affairs Committee Chair William Martin describes the importance of basic science on translational research and drug discovery.
- During the month of August, Research!America is partnering with organizations such as SfN, to promote their “Cures Now!” initiative.
Scientists use animal model to gain better understanding of cocaine addiction
August 2, 2016 | News Medical
Using rats, scientists are able to study what happens to the brain when cocaine addicted animals use the drug after a period of abstaining.
- This work was featured in The Journal of Neuroscience, one of SfN’s two scientific journals.
On Race, Gender, and NIH Funding
August 1, 2016 | The Scientist
The article describes the results of two studies that suggest slightly different biases in the review of National Institutes of Health R01 grant applications from minority and/or women researchers.
- SfN is committed to the continued advancement of women in neuroscience through information and opportunities. Find out more at SfN.org.
Understanding Neuroscience Behind Alzheimer’s Disease Two Minutes
August 3, 2016 | The Science Explorer
Easy to understand two minute video showing the neurobiology behind Alzheimer’s disease.
- Learn even more about Alzheimer’s disease at BrainFacts.org.
