4 September 2009, No. 912
CONTENTS
UK SCIENCE POLICY
EMPLOYMENT
FUNDING
HIGHER EDUCATION
COMMERCIAL
HEALTH POLICY
RESEARCH ETHICS
AFRICA
ASIA
EUROPEAN UNION
NORTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA
INTERNATIONAL
UK SCIENCE POLICY
1 Peer-review system threat as research grants nosedive
The overall success rate of people applying to Research Councils has hit a record low of 23 per cent, with some Councils having success rates below 20 per cent. Ian Diamond, Chief Executive of the Economic and Social Research Council and Chair of Research Councils UK (RCUK) said that the Research Councils were "awfully concerned" about the drop, but that any RCUK-wide intervention, for example limiting the number of applications that a single institution can submit, would not be appropriate.
THE 1912 3 September 2009 p.6-7, 10-11
2 The small scientist
A feature article describes the breakthrough made 25 years ago by Alec Jeffreys, who discovered DNA fingerprinting and revolutionised criminal profiling. Jeffreys argues that "the unexpected is what science should deliver".
THE 1912 3 September 2009 p.36-39
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3 Roberts cash helps research and researchers, Vitae report says
A review of the impact of the Roberts funding - £20 million which was intended to develop researchers' careers - has found that the dedicated money "has made a real step change", giving UK researchers an advantage over their continental counterparts. The authors of the report have called for greater certainty for the fund's future.
THE 1912 3 September 2009 p.16
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4 Bioscience information avalanche
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has awarded £10 million to the European Molecular Biology Laboratory's European Bioinformatics Institute to allow an expansion of its data storage capacity. The funding will form part of a Europe-wide project aiming to help researchers deal with the mass of information produced in the biosciences.
THE 1912 3 September 2009 p.13
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5 Surge in science GCSEs cheers business
The latest GCSE results show an increase in pupils taking specialist science subjects, a development which has been welcomed by business leaders and industry. The rise is attributed to the Government's efforts to get more pupils from state schools to take biology, physics and chemistry as separate subjects.
Financial Times 28 August 2009 p.2
See also: Guardian 28 August 2009 p.12-13
Independent 28 August 2009 p.10-11
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6 Dispelling myths about drug research
An editorial comments on a recent paper which reveals that, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, European research teams are more productive than their US counterparts when comparing the proportion of new drugs discovered in each region. The report's findings challenge the mainstream view that US firms are stronger than their European counterparts when it comes to drug discovery.
The Lancet 374 5 September 2009 p.758
7 Wyeth responds to criticism
A lawsuit brought against US pharmaceutical group Wyeth has exposed the industry's widespread practice of paying 'ghost-writers' to manipulate coverage of pharmaceutical products in academic medical journals. Wyeth has denied mispresenting the science around its hormone replacement therapy, which is the subject of a lawsuit brought by women claiming the drugs led them to develop breast cancer.
Financial Times 31 August 2009 p.19
8 Delhi overturns HIV drug patents
The Indian generic drug maker Cipla has emerged the victor in a court battle over the patent rights surrounding tenofovir (Viread), a widely used treatment for HIV developed by US company Gilead. The recent decision by Indian regulatory authorities is expected to widen access to the drug in a range of developing countries, by removing export restrictions Gilead had sought to impose as part of a licensing deal.
Financial Times 3 September 2009 p.7
9 Cash-starved deCODE is looking for a rescuer for its Biobank
The Icelandic company, deCODE genetics has announced that it only has sufficient funds to sustain its operations for a few more weeks and is rumoured to be in discussions with the Wellcome Trust, as well a range of other potential commercial and academic partners, over the future support of the population biobank it holds.
Science 325 28 August 2009 p.1054
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10 Swine flu deaths may be 19,000 not 65,000
The Chief Medical Officer has predicted that the next wave of the swine flu pandemic could hit the UK in seven weeks time, but he has revised the "worst case scenario" estimated number of deaths from 65,000 down to 19,000. The number of new cases in the UK has continued to drop over the past month, with 4,500 new cases being diagnosed this week.
Daily Telegraph 4 September 2009 p.11
See also: Guardian 28 August 2009 p.4
Independent 28 August 2009 p.9
Financial Times 3 September 2009 p.4
11 Scientists to check if school closures curb swine flu
The National Institute for Health Research has announced £2.25 million fast tracked funding for 14 projects to study the spread of the swine flu pandemic. The studies are intended to provide evidence to inform the Government response, for example by examining how long people are contagious for, and the impact of closing schools in response to an outbreak.
Times 25 August 2009 p.16
See also: Observer 30August 2009 p.17
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12 The ethics of egg manipulation
An editorial warns that ethical debate and prohibitive regulations should not be allowed to impede the development of reproductive technologies. Recent breakthroughs in the ability to eliminate mitochondrial mutations in monkey eggs offer the possibility that new approaches can be developed to potentially allow more human couples to have healthy babies.
Nature 460 27 August 2009 p.1057
See also: Science 325 28 August 2009 p.1061
13 Petition demands end to testing on animals
Almost 70,000 people have signed RSPCA's petition asking for stricter rules on animal testing for drugs and cosmetics. The initiative comes as Britain prepares its position ahead of a revised EU Directive on animal research.
Daily Telegraph 3 September 2009 p.34
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14 South Africa steps up
An editorial introduces an issue of 'The Lancet' focused on the state of health in South Africa - one of the top priorities of the new government of President Jacob Zuma and Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. Stronger leadership is the number one priority of Motsoaledi's ten-point health plan, which also prioritises the strengthening of South Africa's research and development community. A separate article discusses the chronic state of clinical research in the country.
The Lancet 374 5 September 2009 p.757, 759, 760-762
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15 How will science fare?
The Japanese research community is facing uncertainty over how science will fare in the first budget under the country's newly-elected Democratic leadership. The previously prepared budget request contains several new funding initiatives, but the Democratic Party has promised to curb wasteful government spending.
Science 325 4 September 2009 p.1193
16 Pakistan's reform experiment
An opinion piece and accompanying editorial discuss Pakistan's efforts to reform its higher education system and the lessons that can be learned by other developing countries. Specific initiatives include the strategic allocation of funding, greater emphasis on 'human capital', and improved governance and accountability.
Nature 461 3 September 2009 p.38-39, 11-12
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17 Chemical-safety costs uncertain
A study of the implementation costs of the EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) directive suggests the EU does not have the capacity to carry out the toxicity tests required to implement the Directive, and estimates that it will use 54 billion animals and cost industry €9.5 billion. The author of the study, Thomas Hartung, former head of the European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods is calling instead for a moratorium on the requirement to use two generations of animals and increased funding for alternative methods of toxicity testing.
Nature 460 27 August 2009 p.1065, 1080-1081
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18 US visa nightmares
An editorial calls for the streamlining and relaxation of visa regulations for foreign scientists entering the USA, arguing that the restrictions are starting to discourage international scientists from moving to America.
Nature 461 3 September 2009 p.12
19 Budget instructions
A comment piece discusses the next US science and technology budget - expected to be unveiled in February 2010 - and the challenge to balance competing interests. Researchers are concerned that a move towards "practical challenges" signalled in a memo from the President's science adviser may reduce support for basic research.
Nature 461 3 September 2009 p.25
20 Regulation of research is hampering progress in US health care
The Infectious Disease Society of America has expressed concern that current patient privacy regulations impede medical research in the US, and called for the regulations to be simplified while maintaining patient safety.
BMJ 339 29 August 2009 p.478
21 Stem-cell projects falter
The financial crisis in the state of California has had a detrimental impact on its high profile stem cell research programme, with lack of finance leading to delays for capital construction as well as recruitment.
Nature 461 3 September 2009 p.23
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22 Dismissal of senior scientist for 'nonattendance' shakes community
News that a leading Venezuelan scientist has been dismissed from the country's premier research institute for non-attendance has sparked accusations that the political establishment is interfering unjustly in the academic freedom of its scientists.
Science 325 4 September 2009 p.1190-1191
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23 Pandemic flu: from the front lines
A special report details the views from seven countries across the world affected by pandemic flu, describing what they see as the biggest public health challenges posed by the H1N1 virus and the responses that may be required.
Nature 461 3 September 2009 p.20-21
See also: New Scientist 203 5 September 2009 p.7
24 Billions of dollars are needed to close global spending gap on cancer care
The Lance Armstrong Foundation has released a report on the global burden of cancer, estimating that £134 billion a year is required to improve cancer care and treatment across the world. Nearly two thirds of new cancer cases in 2009 are predicted to occur in low or middle income countries, which share only five per cent of the current global cancer spend.
BMJ 339 5 September 2009 p.533
25 Keeping genes out of terrorists' hands
Lawyers have expressed concern that competing codes of conduct for the gene synthesis industry in relation to the screening of hazardous toxins and genes could potentially increase risks to global biosecurity. Two companies have prepared a new code that appears to have lower standards than a rival draft under discussion by the International Association of Synthetic Biology.
Nature 461 3 September 2009 p.22
26 'Nanotech' is the next small thing
An opinion article provides an overview of the latest advances and applications of nanotechnology, noting the increased use of nanoparticles in areas such as pharmacology. The technology may soon be able to produce cars with self-repairing paint or 'stink-proof' socks, although 'nanophobia' still remains.
Times 29 August 2009 p.4
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