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US news roundup: 5-11 August

     

This week: rules for space junk, a new NSF education head and research into Covid-19

In depth: Science advocates have welcomed the Senate’s passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, a sweeping bill that makes substantial funding allocations to tackling climate change.

Full story: Science advocates celebrate progress of major US climate bill
  



Also this week from Research Professional News

New funding ‘critical’ to tackling monkeypox outbreak in US—Funding is needed to scale up diagnosis and care, public health experts say

Plagiarise or perish?—Artificial intelligence is making it more tempting than ever for unscrupulous academics to plagiarise
 


 
Here is the rest of the US news this week… 

Plan to revise space junk rules

The Federal Communications Commission has announced plans to review and revise its decades-old rules on the safe disposal of space debris. “The new space age needs new rules,” said FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, adding that the rules needed to be reviewed to prepare for the “proliferation of satellites in orbit and new activities in our higher altitudes”. Meanwhile, Nasa announced new partnership opportunities for its CubeSat Launch Initiative, which aims to enable organisations including higher education institutions “to conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations in space and contribute to the agency’s exploration goals”.

New head of education at NSF

The National Science Foundation has picked James Moore to lead its Directorate for Education and Human Resources, which supports research into education and promotes lifelong education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Moore was previously vice-provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at Ohio State University. “Becoming the new EHR assistant director is an opportunity that I do not take lightly. It extends the opportunity to be a part of the director’s brain trust in bringing the Missing Millions [people missing out on opportunities] and developing critical strategy within NSF to attract, inspire and cultivate more US citizens for careers in Stem,” said Moore.

Long-Covid reports to drive further research

The US Department of Health and Human Services has published two reports addressing the long-term symptoms of Covid-19 and associated conditions. The National Research Action Plan on Long Covid charts a course for future research to better understand prevention and treatment, while the Services and Supports for Longer-Term Impacts of Covid-19 report outlines resources for carers. “Long Covid can hinder an individual’s ability to work, attend school, participate in community life and engage in everyday activities,” said HHS secretary Xavier Becerra. “As our nation continues to make strides in the fight against Covid-19, these reports are critical to shine a light on Long Covid’s impact and how to match people to resources.”