National Cancer Institute (NCI) Request for Information (RFI): Input on Development of the NCI Imaging Data Commons
The NCI is gathering input on the features researchers would like to have included in an imaging data commons for cancer. You can find the Request for Information here. Responses are due May 4, 2018.
EPA Rule Proposal Would Prohibit “Secret Science” in Policymaking
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt signed a rule proposal on April 24 that would not allow the EPA to use research that is not publicly available and reproducible from being used in setting rules and policies. While this sounds innocuous, studies often cannot be released to the public because of individual privacy concerns or cannot be reproduced because they are longitudinal and follow a population over a lengthy period of time. The rule is a copy of the Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act, proposed by Lamar Smith (R-TX) and passed by the House three times, but not by the Senate. Here are articles about the new rule:
Scott Pruitt wants to change how science is used for EPA regulations
Internal Emails Show How EPA Officials Lobby For Their Former Employers
Scientists denounce Pruitt’s effort to block ‘secret science’ at EPA
New National Academies’ Report Recommends Actions to Support Early Career Biomedical Researchers
A new report, The Next Generation of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences Researchers: Breaking Through, released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for a series of substantial reforms to strengthen the U.S. biomedical research system for the next generation of scientists. The congressionally-requested report includes recommendations to open career paths inside and outside of academia for early career scientists, broaden responsibility among public and private stakeholders for the future of the research ecosystem, and increase policy experimentation and investment in that research ecosystem, so that scientists are empowered to imagine new and innovative treatments for diseases and improvements to health and well-being. The report also identifies barriers that have impeded past efforts at reform of the biomedical research ecosystem, and proposes means to overcome those obstacles. The report can be read in its entirety here.
Senator Richard Shelby Becomes Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee
On April 10, the Senate named Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) as the new chair of the Appropriations Committee. Chairman Shelby takes over the gavel after the resignation of former Senate Appropriations Chair Thad Cochran (R-MS), who left the Senate April 1 citing that his health “has become an ongoing challenge.” Among other shuffling on the committee, Sen. Cochran’s replacement, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) was appointed to the Senate Appropriations Committee and will serve on the Labor-HHS subcommittee.
NIH Announces Retirement of Director of Center for Scientific Review
On April 18, NIH Director Francis Collins issued a statement on the retirement of Richard Nakamura, who serves as the director for the NIH’s Center for Scientific Review. Collins highlighted Nakamura’s “illustrious 39-year career at NIH.” The statement also says, “Following Richard’s departure and while we conduct a national search for a new director, I have asked Noni Byrnes, Ph.D., to serve as acting director.” Nakamura’s retirement is expected to be official by the end of April.
Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Expected to Issue Several Funding Opportunities
With the FY 2018 federal budget finally complete, agencies are moving ahead quickly with plans that have been on hold since October. As a result, the DOE Office of Science is expected to release several program announcements in the coming weeks. These announcements will be on each program’s website; but to easily keep track of them, follow or check @doescience on Twitter.
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