SCIENCE FOR PARLIAMENTS
Welcome to the first Science for Parliaments newsletter
Supporting medical research - Parliamentary Friends of Science event
Australia in the Asian century - strong role for science in the White Paper
Shale gas extraction in the UK - report from the UK Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering
Strategic review of health and medical research - McKeon review
Stem cells restore hearing in animals for the first time
NHS patient records to revolutionise medical research in Britain
Using science as evidence in public policy
Long-Term Implications of an older population
UK Liberal Democrats launch policy paper on science and research
Searching the deep Earth: a vision for exploration geoscience in Australia
Welcome to the first Science for Parliaments newsletter
The Australian Academy of Science would like to welcome you to its new Science for Parliaments newsletter. Through this newsletter we aim to bring you informative news about the Academy's activities, the latest developments in science policy in Australia and elsewhere, as well as providing links to important reports that are of significance to the sector. We hope you find this newsletter useful and we would be pleased to receive your suggestions and feedback to science.policy@science.org.au
Supporting medical research - Parliamentary Friends of Science event on 27 November 2012
This year two Parliamentary Friendship Groups in support of science and technology were established with support provided by the Australian Academy of Science and Science & Technology Australia. The next event for the groups will be held on 27 November 2012 at Parliament House in Canberra. At the event parliamentarians will hear from the sector about the Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research. The review has recently released a draft consultation paper which has enjoyed broad support within the health and medical research sector.
Australia in the Asian century - strong role for science in the White Paper
The recently released Australia in the Asian Century White Paper has found that international scientific collaborations are crucial to Australia’s relevance internationally. The White Paper states that partnerships with international science communities are essential to supporting Australia’s ability to access new ideas and to build our future competitiveness.The White Paper also recognises that Australia needs to strengthen its partnerships in our region, to link with Asia’s growth as a global science and innovation hub.
Shale gas extraction in the UK - report from the UK Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering
The UK Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering have released a joint report on shale gas extraction in the UK. The report reviews the review the scientific and engineering evidence, and considers whether risks associated with hydarulic fracturing (often termed 'fracking') can be manage effectively. The report finds that the health, safety and environmental risks can be managed effectively in the UK. A copy of the report can be found on the Royal Society website.
Strategic review of health and medical research - McKeon review
A draft consultation paper outlining the issues uncovered and proposed recommendations of the Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research (McKeon Review) has been released. The draft paper proposes a significant revamp of current systems with the goal of creating "better health through research". One of the key recommendations is for the NHMRC to take on an expanded leadership role across all aspects of medical research.
In line with the Academy's submission the review recommends that the proportion of funds allocated to defined research activity be linked to total health expenditure. The review recommends that this should be three per cent, and should be achieved over the next 8-10 years. A copy of the draft consultation paper can be found on the review website. The Academy's response to the draft consultation paper can be found on the Academy's website.
Stem cells restore hearing in animals for the first time
There are many different kinds of stem cells, and where cell death causes a medical problem (such as being deaf, blind, or developing Parkinson’s Disease). Scientists in England have shown that stem cells can be “given a push” to become nerve cells of the type that take signals from the ears to the brain, and that gerbils that were deaf recovered 46% of their hearing. Read more on the nature website.
NHS patient records to revolutionise medical research in Britain
Health records contain vast amounts of important data that will allow researchers to determine how to treat any disease in the best possible way. The National Health Service has a particularly valuable set of data, because every person in Britain is registered with a GP, who is their entry point to the health system. They appear to have solved the problems of confidentiality, and will hook up the data system with deaths, the cancer register, obesity and DNA banks. Read more at The Guardian website.
Using science as evidence in public policy
A new publication from the National Academies Press encourages scientists to think differently about the use of scientific evidence in policy making. The report offers guidance on what is required beyond producing quality research and translating results, to use science as evidence in public policy. A free copy of the publication is available from the NAP website.
Long-Term Implications of an older population
A new publication from the National Academy of Sciences explores the long-term macroeconomic challenges facing the United States because of shifts in demographics. The publication explores how the shift in balance between young and old, and in particular, between working-age and retirees is forcing governments around the world to rethink or revamp policies and programs that affect many aspects of people’s lives. A free copy of the book is available from the National Academies Press.
UK Liberal Democrats launch policy paper on science and research
The Liberal Democrats, the junior coalition partner in the UK government, have endorsed a 15 year strategy for science and research at their annual conference. The strategy, which was written by a former researchers, calls for the science budget to be increased by 3% above inflation for the next 15 years. Also within the strategy is a proposal for all elected parliamentarians to be offered training in statistics and the scientific method. A full copy of the report can be found on the party's website.
Searching the deep Earth: a vision for exploration geoscience in Australia
A new vision statement for geoscience in Australia has recently been published, and outlines the processes and coordinated research effort required to unlock Australia's vast but as yet undiscovered mineral systems. The statement was developed under the aegis of the Australian Academy of Science, by the UNCOVER implementation committee. A copy of the publication can be downloaded from the Academy's website.
