This week: Nobel Prize reaction, coordination on microchips and priorities for cancer research
In depth: The White House has published a National Strategy for the Arctic Region, updating its plans for activities including research for the first time since 2013.
Full story: US revises Arctic research strategy amid Russia tensions
Also this week from Research Professional News
White House science advisers publish AI ‘bill of rights’—Blueprint seeks to protect American citizens from harmful effects of artificial intelligence
Post-pandemic medicine—The president of the National Academy of Medicine tells Playbook that medical research must change
Here is the rest of the US news this week…
Nobel awards spark calls for sustained research funding
The announcement of the 2022 Nobel Prize winners has prompted calls for a long-term approach to funding basic research. “The annual awards are an invitation to the public to pause, celebrate and reflect on how scientific research benefits the world,” said Mary Woolley, president of the advocacy group Research!America. “[They] also highlight the importance of sustained federal investments in basic research as a catalyst for new discoveries.” Chemistry prize recipients Carolyn Bertozzi and Barry Sharpless both received funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The NSF also supported physics winner Anton Zeilinger. To date, 172 NIH-supported researchers have received Nobel Prizes for medicine, chemistry, physics and economics, Research!America said.
‘Interagency coordination needed on microchips’
Federal agencies need to work together on the implementation of the Chips and Science Act, according to National Economic Council director Brian Deese. His assertion came at the inaugural meeting of the Chips Implementation Steering Council, a body created to shape implementation of the newly passed act and its allocation of $11 billion for investment in semiconductor R&D. Council members discussed how to boost American leadership in the semiconductor industry. Representatives of the departments of commerce, state and defence and the director of the National Science Foundation also provided briefings.
New leader of National Cancer Institute shares priorities
Monica Bertagnolli began serving as director of the National Cancer Institute last week, becoming the first woman to lead the institute. She said her priorities were understanding how cancer arises and what biological processes it disrupts, developing and testing new prevention and therapy approaches, and partnering with patients to ensure they receive care that meets their needs. “With the passion and commitment of the president and his administration to the Cancer Moonshot, I believe the opportunities before us to improve the outlook for cancer patients are unprecedented,” said Bertagnolli.