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.
Better Risk Literacy = Better Decisions
September 21st, 2017
Studies have suggested a correlation between good decision-making and intelligence, but scientist Edward Cokely and his colleagues have found there is a much better predictor of whether people will make decisions that benefit them, regardless of their intelligence level: their understanding of risk and statistical concepts. Understanding how probability works has been found to predict the quality of decision-making in a wide range of areas, from using credit cards
read moreHouse, Senate Seek Increases for NIH; Slightly Lower Levels for IES in Senate
September 21st, 2017
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3354 on September 14th, an eight-bill spending package that would provide funding for most of the federal government for FY 2018. Included in the package was the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education bill, which the House Appropriations Committee approved on July 19. The Committee recommended $35.2 billion (a $1.1 billion increase) for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $605.3 million for the Institute for
read moreFunding for NSF Advances in House, but Faces Challenge
September 21st, 2017
On September 14th, the U.S. House passed a package of eight spending bills, including one that would fund the National Science Foundation for FY 2018. The NSF is funded through the Commerce, Justice, Science bill, a bill that was approved by the House Appropriations Committee on July 13th and included in the “octobus” bill that later passed the House.
The House CJS bill that was reported out of Committee provided $7.3 billion for NSF in FY 2018, an amount that is
read moreBig Picture on Fiscal Year 2018 Funding Still Unclear
September 21st, 2017
The U.S. federal government will be operating on a Continuing Resolution (CR) from October 1 through December 8, 2017. Essentially, this provides level funding for federal agencies, while Congress and the White House negotiate an overall spending number for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. The CR was part of a larger deal that received much visibility earlier this month because it involved an agreement between President Trump and Congressional Democrats. In reaching the deal, the
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