DAILY DOSE: Biden Proposes Meager Increase in Science Research Funding, Alarming Scientists.

scientificinquirer

March 12

.BIDEN PROPOSES $7.3 TRILLION BUDGET WITH FOCUS ON AI, CANCER RESEARCH

President Joe Biden has proposed a $7.3 trillion budget for the U.S. Congress, including $201 billion for research, a modest 1% increase from the previous fiscal year. This budget highlights the administration's priorities, such as advancing artificial intelligence ethics and cancer research, amidst financial constraints set by a prior agreement with Republicans that caps domestic research funding. The 2025 budget's increase falls short of the ambitious funding levels for research and development outlined in the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, especially in light of recent cuts to several agencies' 2024 budgets aimed at preventing a government shutdown. Key research agencies like the NIH and NSF are slated for increases, with NIH focusing on cancer and mental health and NSF facing challenges in expanding new programs due to a recent budget cut. The DOE's Office of Science and NASA's science programs would see slight increases, whereas agriculture research at the USDA is set for a small boost. The budget reflects the administration's attempt to prioritize science and technology research within the constraints of current fiscal realities, highlighting the ongoing tension between ambition and affordability in federal research funding. (Science)

UNIVERSITY RESEARCHER STRIPPED OF CREDENTIALS AMID SCIENTIFIC SCANDAL.

In 2020, Ranga Dias, a researcher at the University of Rochester, gained recognition for claiming the discovery of a room-temperature superconductor, published in Nature. However, this paper, along with a subsequent one announcing another similar breakthrough, were both retracted due to failures in replication by other research groups and allegations of data manipulation. The scandal has significantly impacted the field, damaging careers and raising questions about the integrity of scientific research. Despite initial investigations by the University of Rochester finding no misconduct, a fourth inquiry led to Dias being stripped of his students and laboratories. Nature's news team has uncovered further details, including claims from former graduate students of being misled and excluded from key research processes. These revelations have led to a broader discussion about accountability in scientific publishing and the mechanisms for addressing potential misconduct. The fallout includes retractions, ongoing investigations, and a reconsideration of Dias's professional standing and future in the scientific community. (Nature)

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MELATONIN USAGE SURGES, RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT CHILD SAFETY.

The use of melatonin by U.S. adults increased fivefold from 1999 to 2018, coinciding with significant rises in pediatric exposures and emergency department (ED) visits for unsupervised melatonin ingestion by infants and young children. Between 2019 and 2022, there were an estimated 10,930 ED visits for unsupervised melatonin ingestion by children aged ≤5 years, making up 7% of all ED visits for unsupervised medication exposures in this age group. Most incidents (93.5%) did not result in hospitalization, and solid dosage forms, especially gummies, were commonly involved. The findings suggest a need for increased education on safe medication storage and the potential benefit of child-resistant packaging for melatonin products. Surveillance data suggest this analysis might underestimate the true number of ingestions, and discrepancies in melatonin product contents could pose additional risks. This situation underscores the importance of initiatives like the Up and Away Campaign to promote safe medicine storage around young children. (CDC)

UKRAINE SOLDIERS BATTLE RUSSIAN JAMMING IN DRONE OPERATIONS.

In eastern Ukraine, soldiers face challenges with drone operations due to electronic countermeasures by Russian forces, notably signal jamming. Initially, Ukraine utilized drones effectively as an alternative to artillery, but Russian electronic warfare capabilities have intensified, hampering Ukrainian drone use. This electronic arms race involves continuous adaptation from both sides, with Ukraine innovating to overcome jamming and Russia enhancing its countermeasures. Drones, especially FPVs (First Person Views), have compensated for Ukraine's dwindling artillery ammunition, offering precision strikes against Russian positions. However, Russia's industrial-scale drone production and superior jamming technology present significant challenges for Ukrainian forces, who rely heavily on donations and lack coordinated drone unit management. Ukraine's recent establishment of the Unmanned Systems Forces aims to improve coordination and efficiency among drone operators, amidst ongoing struggles to match Russia's technological and production capabilities in the drone warfare arena. (New York Times)

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SCIENTISTS RALLY FOR SAFE USE OF PROTEIN DESIGN AI.

Researchers and scientists have initiated a call for the safe and ethical use of protein design AI, aiming to prevent its misuse as bioweapons and to circumvent potential heavy government regulation. David Baker, a leading figure in this voluntary initiative, emphasizes the current greater benefits over dangers of protein design AI. The initiative, supported by dozens of scientists worldwide, encourages self-regulation within the biodesign community, including the regular review of AI tools and research practices. It proposes the creation of an expert committee to oversee software distribution and suggest necessary safety measures, alongside enhancing DNA synthesis screening to identify and prevent the creation of harmful molecules. This proactive approach seeks to balance the rapid advancements in AI-enabled protein design with biosecurity concerns, amidst government considerations for stricter oversight and regulation to mitigate risks associated with AI-generated biothreats. (Nature)

LOST SHELL COLLECTION FROM CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGE FOUND.

An invaluable collection of over 200 shells, including specimens from Captain Cook's final voyage, was thought lost for decades after being discarded in the 1980s but has now been rediscovered and returned to English Heritage. The collection, amassed by the underrecognized Bridget Atkinson, a passionate shell collector from a non-aristocratic background, highlights both her scientific interest in shells and the colonial and environmental contexts of her time. Atkinson's collection, once believed to have been thrown away during an office move at Newcastle University, was saved by marine zoologist John Buchanan and has now been donated to English Heritage by his family. The collection, showcasing rare and scientifically significant specimens, will be displayed in Northumberland, reflecting on the complex legacy of the era, including colonialism and the slave trade. This rediscovery celebrates Atkinson's contribution to science and her role as one of the earliest known women to create such a significant collection globally, alongside her intriguing personal history and diverse interests. (The Guardian)

Thanks for reading. Let's be careful out there.

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

IMAGE CREDIT: The White House.