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Issue 1098: 14 June 2013
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Science policy and funding
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UK scientists fear further cuts
Ahead of the comprehensive spending review on 26 June, an article discusses the fears of the scientific community over the implications of potential cuts to the science budget. The announcement will apply to the 2015-16 fiscal year, with George Osborne pledging to ensure “Britain has a bright scientific future” despite the likelihood of cuts across most Government departments.
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Nature Vol.498 - 13 June 2013 p.151
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MRC reaches 100 amid concern for the future
As the Medical Research Council (MRC) approaches its 100th birthday on 20 June, its future is in question ahead of the forthcoming spending round. Proposals to move the MRC to the Department of Health have raised concerns over the future independence of funding decisions from political influences, and the extent to which its budget is ring-fenced from other NHS bodies.
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Secrets of the REF
Anonymous interviews with pro vice-chancellors at three universities compare their approaches to the Research Excellent Framework. The interviews discuss the use of impact factors, inclusion criteria and the difficulties in selective assessments.
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UK raises alarm on superbugs
At the G8 meeting of science ministers in London this week, UK science minister David Willetts pushed his counterparts to take firm steps to combat the rising threat of antibiotic resistance - including supporting the development of new drugs, clamping down on antibiotic use and strengthing cross-border surveillance.
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Crick's strategy for translating ambitious research outlined
The Francis Crick Institute has outlined its five strategic priorities ahead of its opening in London in 2015. Key goals will be to support "creative and ambitious research", foster multidisciplinary science, and accelerate the uptake of research into practice.
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Science advisory councils underappreciated
A review by the Government Office for Science has found that some Government departments have little interaction with, or even awareness of, the scientific advisory councils set up to support them.
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A decade of development
An analysis article explores how research management has changed in the last ten years, evolving into a vital link in the research process. It notes how research development remains a small but growing part of research support functions in institutions, and the impact that this can have for universities on discussions with research funders.
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Personalised cancer files to save thousands of lives
The NHS has announced the establishment of the largest cancer registration database in the world. The resource brings together information from millions of patient records on each individual cancer diagnosed across the NHS, helping to support cancer specialists in reaching treatment decisions.
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Times  - 12 June 2013 p.1-2
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Most deaths in under-75s avoidable, says health body
New data released by Public Health England suggests that as many as two-thirds of the 150,000 deaths in under-75s each year in England may be avoidable through healthcare interventions and taking action to address contributing lifestyle factors.
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Breast screening doubts grow
Researchers at the University of Oxford have concluded that while the number of women dying from breast cancer in the UK has decreased, there is no evidence that this is a result of breast cancer screening programmes in the NHS. The results conflict with those of a Department of Health review last year, which indicated that death rates were 20 per cent lower in women invited for screening.
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Education, training and careers
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Scientists challenge patent ban for embryonic stem cell research
A group of UK scientists and lawyers is campaigning against a European ban on the patenting of embryonic stem cell research involving the use and destruction of human embryos, which they argue will drastically limit the development of downstream healthcare applications. Deputy High Court judge Henry Carr has asked the EU Court of Justice to clarify its decision to disallow patents of this type.
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Innovation agency’s growth will build on past success
A viewpoint article by the director of innovation programmes at the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) discusses the evidence that investment in innovation leverages a large economic impact. It notes the rise in funding for innovation in recent years and the growth of the TSB's Small Business Research Initiative.
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Pharma and biotech sector
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Hope on cancer test as court rules genes cannot be patented
The US Supreme Court has ruled that human genes cannot be patented, unanimously judging that the patents held by Myraid on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer genes should be revoked. The ruling has been celebrated by campaigners, with the hope that it will help to ensure that diagnostic tests on these and other genes are available at affordable prices.
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Times - 14 June 2013 p.38
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Safety fears over diabetes drug 'linked with cancer'
The US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency are investigating evidence that a drug widely used by diabetics may be linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The US National Institutes of Health will hold a meeting to examine the claims later this month.
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Times - 10 June 2013 p.20
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Stem-cell researchers must stay engaged
A comment article discusses how the recent production of stem-cell lines from human cloned embryos has reignited the ethical debate around research involving human embryonic stem cells. It emphasises the continuing need for researchers to engage actively in the debate, working with governments and regulatory bodies.
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Nature Vol.498 - 13 June 2013 p.159-161
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Be prepared for the big genome leak
In an opinion piece, Steven E. Brenner of the University of California, Berkeley, highlights the inevitability of a leak of confidential genomic data and the need to prepare for any problems this may cause - including the resulting public outcry and the risk of a fall in research participation.
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Nature Vol.498 - 13 June 2013 p.139
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My own genome project
A feature article explores the medical and ethical implications of personal genomic information, in light of the rapid development of sequencing technologies and the growth of private genetic testing companies.
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Public engagement in science
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Publishing and data sharing
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Humanities publications to be covered by Wellcome's open access policy
The Wellcome Trust is expanding its policy on open access publishing to cover scholarly monographs and book chapters, in a move that will primarily affect its funded researchers in the medical humanities.
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Tangled webs unwoven online
A website providing a platform for the academic community to investigate potential cases of academic misconduct, such as plagiarism, has recently launched as a global initiative after its initial success in Romania. Anyone can highlight concerns on integru.com, which are then assessed in an open peer review process.
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THE Issue.2105 - 13 June 2013 p.12
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Public and global engagement with global health
An commentary article discusses the ‘Global Health Beyond 2015’ consultation, organised by the Swedish Society of Medicine, which aims to broaden engagement with issues in global health. One of the key elements of the process has been to develop ‘The Stockholm Declaration for Global Health’ which highlights the need to raise the profile of health in a global development agenda post-2015.
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The Lancet Vol.381 Issue.9883 - 15 June 2013 p.2066
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No dishonour in depression
An editorial discusses the stigma surrounding mental illness. It highlights how despite the immense health and social burden associated with mental health conditions, such attitudes may contribute to under-investment in research.
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Nature Vol.498 - 13 June 2013 p.137
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Fighting the HIV epidemic in the Islamic World
As part of a themed issue marking the 30th anniversary of the discovery of HIV, a comment piece highlights some of the challenges in addressing rising rates of HIV/AIDS in countries that have predominantly Muslim populations. Policy makers in these countries are often reluctant to endorse or fund public health initiatives aimed at those whose behaviour may be perceived as being at odds with religious teachings.
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The Lancet Vol.381 Issue.9883 - 15 June 2013 p.2058-2060
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Social networks, social media, and social diseases
An article outlines the growth of social media, and how it is being used in the context of healthcare and research. The authors describe how our understanding of social media could influence the way healthcare is delivered and how some diseases are treated.
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BMJ Vol.346 Issue.7912 - 15 June 2013 p.22-24
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The right to health for Syrian refugees
An editorial marks United Nation's World Refugee Day on June 20, and highlights the plight of the estimated 1.6 million Syrians who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. Healthcare is one of the most pressing concerns for these refugees - particularly for those with water-borne diseases and survivors of rape - and donors are urged to help provide support for affected health systems.
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The Lancet Vol.381 Issue.9883 - 15 June 2013 p.2056
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Young upstarts
An editorial and feature article discuss the emergence of scientific 'mega-prizes' over recent years, as a complement to the long-standing Nobel prizes. The reaction of the research community has been mixed, with some highlighting their role in raising awareness of the scientific endeavour and others arguing that they perpetuate the myth of a lone genius and that the funds could be better used to support research.
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Nature Vol.498 - 13 June 2013 p.138, 152-154
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A human right to science
A policy forum article calls on the international scientific community to contribute to discussions being taken forward by the United Nations on the implementation of the right by everyone to access the benefits of science, which is recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and enshrined as a core principle in the International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
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Science Vol.340 - 14 June 2013 p.1291
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Science networking
ResearchGate, a professional networking site for researchers, has raised $35 million from investors, including Microsoft-founder Bill Gates. The site is headquartered in Berlin and has more than 2.9 million members.
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Nature Vol.498 - 13 June 2013 p.143
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A perverted view of "impact"
An editorial argues that the introduction of concepts of "impact" or "significance" into the assessment of research may have a damaging and distorting effect on the scientific enterprise.
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Science Vol.340 - 14 June 2013 p.1265
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Max Planck chief
The Max Planck Society in Munich, Germany, has elected the chemist Martin Stratmann as its new president. Stratmann will take over from the developmental biologist Peter Gruss next June, overseeing the Society's 80 research institutes and an annual budget of $2.6 billion.
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Nature Vol.498 - 13 June 2013 p.143
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See Also:
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Science Vol.340 - 14 June 2013 p.1271
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Dark clouds over Spanish science
An opinion piece calls on the Spanish Government to reverse its plans to reduce funding for basic research, and instead focus on investing in basic and applied science more efficiently and build on its existing research base in a manner that ensures Spain can remain internationally competitive.
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Science Vol.340 - 14 June 2013 p.1292
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Rally to defend science
As part of a series of nationwide protests against perceived anti-science attitudes in the Italian media, a 'flash mob' of 30 researchers held a demonstration in Rome to show their opposition to an attack on an animal facility at the University of Milan in April.
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Science Vol.340 - 14 June 2013 p.1270
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New home for Nobel prize
Research foundations in Sweden have raised over $120 million to construct a new Nobel Center that will bring together the Nobel Museum, the Nobel Foundation and the Nobel Prize ceremony.
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Science Vol.340 - 14 June 2013 p.1270
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Dementia boom
A new study has found that China has the largest population of people living with age-related dementia - with around 9.2 million cases in 2010, compared with 3.7 million cases 20 years earlier. The research involved an analysis of Chinese epidemiological research, and was made possible by the digitisation of Chinese-language research papers.
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Track the trackers
An editorial discusses the implications of recent revelations regarding US National Security Agency’s tracking of phone records and billions of emails and internet communication, and how it could undermine public trust in privacy protection. It highlights the need for an open public debate on these issues.
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Nature Vol.498 - 13 June 2013 p.137-138
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'Master protocol' aims to revamp cancer trials
A new ‘master’ protocol has been developed to streamline the drug approval process for cancer medicines in the US. The pilot project will allow companies to test candidate drugs across hundreds of clinics, with patients screened for various biomarkers and assigned drugs most likely to be effective.
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Nature Vol.498 - 13 June 2013 p.146
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