FABBS reports on items of interest to many communities – scientists, policymakers, and the public. In our news, you will see updates on science funding and policy, articles that translate research for policy, and descriptions of the research contributions of scientists at all stages of their research careers.
Basic Scientists Remain Concerned About NIH Clinical Trials Definition
July 27, 2017
In an effort to “enhance stewardship and transparency” of clinical trials, NIH issued a new policy in September 2016 that defines clinical trials so broadly that it sweeps in basic science research. The new policy complements a federal regulation on clinical trials (see link to Final Rule) that was issued a few days later. Basic scientists have been caught off guard by the breadth of the NIH policy on clinical trials and its implications for basic science
read moreHouse Committee Flat Funds NSF Research in FY 2018; Senate Committee Cuts NSF Research Funding
July 27, 2017
House Appropriators have been busy, reporting out all twelve appropriations bills for consideration on the House floor. The spending allocations (known as “302b’s”) for most of the twelve bills were reduced, meaning that a number of agencies and programs included in the twelve bills would be cut.
The Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) bill (which funds the National Science Foundation, NASA, Department of Justice and other agencies) was no different, receiving $2.7
read moreHouse Committee Moves to Increase Funding for NIH, Flat-Funds IES in Fiscal Year 2018
July 27, 2017
The House Appropriations Committee reported favorably the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. The bill recommends funding for key agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) within the Department of Education. The bill, which passed the committee on July 19 on a party line vote, is now ready for floor consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives.
NIH
read moreWhat We Don’t Know Can Hurt Us: Toxic Chemicals, Science, and Policy
June 21st, 2017
Environmental protection is the subject of heated debate these days. In February of this year, President Trump signed an executive order to roll back the clean water rule, which limits corporations’ ability to pollute about 60% of U.S. waterways. The irony is that we know more than ever before about how toxic chemicals adversely affect people, and we can be certain that what we don’t yet know can hurt us. Scientific research on potential chemical contaminants is both
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