This Week in Science Policy and Advocacy
Policy and Advocacy News
NSF Issues Awards to Advance a National Research Infrastructure for Neuroscience
August 1, 2017 | National Science Foundation
NSF awarded 17 Next Generation Networks for Neuroscience (NeuroNex) grants to researchers across the country to advance novel sharable resources and computational models for studying the brain. NeuroNex is part of NSF’s Understanding the Brain project and the BRAIN Initiative.
- Join the Advocacy Network to stay informed about issues related to neuroscience research at SfN.org
Jordan Stakes its Future on Science
August 2, 2017 | Nature
Hosting the World Science Forum is part of Jordan’s ongoing push to become a regional research powerhouse. Jordan’s leaders see science as an engine for economic growth and in 2005, the government created the Jordanian Scientific Research Support Fund to help build research capacity.
- Find information about global advocacy programs at SfN.org
Opinion
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole: Taking Care of Our Health, Education and Jobs
July 27, 2017 | Tulsa World
In this op-ed, Rep. Tom Cole, chair of the House Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee, discusses how the recently approved appropriations bill will benefit Americans. Cole emphasizes the $1.1 billion increase to NIH’s budget and how these additional funds will support Alzheimer’s, mental health, and substance abuse research.
- Learn about U.S. advocacy programs at SfN.org
Articles of Interest
Elderly Chimps May Get Alzheimer's, Renewing Interest in Studying These Animals
August 1, 2017 | Science
Researchers have discovered signs of Alzheimer’s disease in elderly chimpanzee brains. These finding suggest that studying chimps could help researchers better understand and treat Alzheimer’s. Some are skeptical that the chimp brains match humans, but agree that further research is needed.
- Read more about animal research at SfN.org
NFL-NIH Research Partnership Set to End with $16M Unspent
July 28, 2017 | ESPN
The NFL and NIH partnership, which began with a $30 million donation from the NFL to NIH for brain research, will end this August, with more than half of the money left unused. NIH officials decided to suspend the relationship months ago in response to a dispute in which the NFL backed out of a study awarded to a researcher critical of the league.
- Watch a video about the effects of repeat concussions on BrainFacts.org
University of Maryland Scientists Research Gene Linked to Depression
July 29, 2017 | The Baltimore Sun
A new study has identified the role a central gene, Slc6a15, plays in a type of neuron involved with depression. Researchers found that mice with depression had reduced levels of the gene’s activity. The team hopes these findings could lead to new therapeutic discoveries for those with depression who do not respond to medications on the market.
- Find more information about depression and medication at BrainFacts.org
