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Browse Ideas with tag 'science':

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  Communicating science transparently and without government interference

  Over the last eight years, our agency maintained a fairly open dialog with the public on issues of scientific and technological advancement. Our agency was able to do so because we looked to the research community and the peer review process for guidance about whether a research breakthrough was valid, important and of interest to the public. 1. To maintain transparency, it should be federal policy that all agencies ...more »

  Over the last eight years, our agency maintained a fairly open dialog with the public on issues of scientific and technological advancement. Our agency was able to do so because we looked to the research community and the peer review process for guidance about whether a research breakthrough was valid, important and of interest to the public.

  1. To maintain transparency, it should be federal policy that all agencies never intentionally hide, diminish, under-publicize or reject scientific research, particularly research that is of import to the scientific community as determined by that community through peer review.

  2. To encourage participation, the federal government should establish mechanisms to make it easier for federal grant recipients to publicize the results of their work -- in all areas, not just science and technology, but also art, history and others. Too many incredible results stay only within their professional community, in part because of misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge about how to share results.

  3. Collaboration is ongoing, but to improve it, agencies should be encouraged to truly partner when disseminating research results, particularly as many results are funded by multiple agencies. We all serve the same customers, in the broadest sense, and true collaboration would serve them best.

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  4 comments for Idea: Communicating science transparently and without government interference

  Submitted by Unsubscribed User 4 years ago

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  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  Scientists should not be required to obtain pre-approval from public affairs before responding to a media request

  Agency policies should spell out a clearly defined role for the PAOs, including timely response to media inquiries and providing journalists and agency staff with accurate information, but should also prevent them from being “gatekeepers of information.” Scientists should not be required to obtain pre-approval from public affairs before responding to a media request. However, requiring scientists and researchers to give ...more »

  Agency policies should spell out a clearly defined role for the PAOs, including timely response to media inquiries and providing journalists and agency staff with accurate information, but should also prevent them from being “gatekeepers of information.” Scientists should not be required to obtain pre-approval from public affairs before responding to a media request. However, requiring scientists and researchers to give public affairs prior notice of such interactions when possible, and to recap the interview afterwards, is appropriate.

  - From the 21st Century RTK Agenda

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  Submitted by 21stCenturyRTK 4 years ago

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  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  Scientific Review and Comment on Government Products

  Scientists and researchers also have the right to review, approve and comment publicly on the final version of any document or publication that significantly relies on their research, identifies them as an author or contributor, or purports to represent their scientific opinion or relates to their field of expertise. While editing by non-scientists is at times necessary and useful, final review by scientific experts is ...more »

  Scientists and researchers also have the right to review, approve and comment publicly on the final version of any document or publication that significantly relies on their research, identifies them as an author or contributor, or purports to represent their scientific opinion or relates to their field of expertise. While editing by non-scientists is at times necessary and useful, final review by scientific experts is essential to ensure that accuracy has been maintained in the clearance process. In order to accomplish this and create broader public input on scientific materials, agencies should be required to make available for public review and comment all research and documents cited and/or used in a final decision or action.

  - From the 21st Century RTK Agenda

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  Submitted by 21stCenturyRTK 4 years ago

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  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  Scientific Freedom & Agency Media Policies

  Agency media policies should respect that scientists and researchers have a right to express their personal views. Scientists and researchers, like any federal employees, have a right to express their personal views outside of a few narrow restrictions. Provided that scientists make an explicit disclaimer that they are speaking as private citizens and are not seeking to represent official agency policy, they should be ...more »

  Agency media policies should respect that scientists and researchers have a right to express their personal views. Scientists and researchers, like any federal employees, have a right to express their personal views outside of a few narrow restrictions. Provided that scientists make an explicit disclaimer that they are speaking as private citizens and are not seeking to represent official agency policy, they should be allowed to speak freely about their research and to offer their scientific opinions – even in situations where their research may be controversial or have implications for agency policy. Agency policies governing communication with the media should make this option clear and explicit to employees. Such a “personal views” disclaimer does not, of course, cover the release of information that would otherwise be illegal, such as classified or personal information. Additionally, agencies should be encouraged to create a mechanism to allow non-scientific employees to express their opinions on actions, research, or policy within their areas of experience.

  - From the 21st Century RTK Agenda

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  Submitted by 21stCenturyRTK 4 years ago

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  Rulemaking »

  Making US mecca of Top Scientists and Engineers in the world once again

  Immigration of Scientists and Engineers from around the world to US is one of the most strategic strength of this nation. In order to be at the forefront of the inventions and innovations of the 21st century US has to make legal incentives for Ph.D. students in Engineering and Basic Science majors to stay in US and contribute to the advance of science and technology after they have completed their studies here. We suggest ...more »

  Immigration of Scientists and Engineers from around the world to US is one of the most strategic strength of this nation. In order to be at the forefront of the inventions and innovations of the 21st century US has to make legal incentives for Ph.D. students in Engineering and Basic Science majors to stay in US and contribute to the advance of science and technology after they have completed their studies here. We suggest US government offer Permanent Residency to Ph.D. students of Engineering and Basic Science majors after completion of their studies.

  This, not only would encourage Ph.D. graduates to stay and contribute to technological advances here in the US but also would increase the competitiveness of admissions in US universities and would attract cream of the crop here.

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  4 comments for Idea: Making US mecca of Top Scientists and Engineers in the world once again

  Submitted by hessam 4 years ago

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  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  Agency communications policies should also inform employees of their rights under the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Lloyd

  Agency communications policies should also inform employees of their rights under the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Lloyd-La Follette Act, which ensures unrestricted employee communication with Congress. The policy should comply with the Anti-Gag Statute and should provide protections against overly broad non-disclosure policies. It should be clear that employees can go to their agency's Inspector General Office ...more »

  Agency communications policies should also inform employees of their rights under the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Lloyd-La Follette Act, which ensures unrestricted employee communication with Congress. The policy should comply with the Anti-Gag Statute and should provide protections against overly broad non-disclosure policies. It should be clear that employees can go to their agency's Inspector General Office to get clarification on their whistleblower rights and options without any possibility of retaliation.

  - From the 21st Century RTK Agenda

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  1 comment for Idea: Agency communications policies should also inform employees of their rights under the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Lloyd

  Submitted by 21stCenturyRTK 4 years ago

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  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  "The Science Behind the Global Warming Debate is Finished"?????

  US Senate EPW Minority Report: http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.Blogs&ContentRecord_id=10fe77b0-802a-23ad-4df1-fc38ed4f85e3&Issue_id= Also a petition with the names of 34,000 scientists and experts that were against global warming was released last year. Of the names on the list, over 9,000 were Ph.D.'s. That dwarfs the 2,500 scientists that are supposedly on the UN's IPCC. I hope this causes ...more »

  US Senate EPW Minority Report:

  http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.Blogs&ContentRecord_id=10fe77b0-802a-23ad-4df1-fc38ed4f85e3&Issue_id=

  Also a petition with the names of 34,000 scientists and experts that were against global warming was released last year. Of the names on the list, over 9,000 were Ph.D.'s. That dwarfs the 2,500 scientists that are supposedly on the UN's IPCC. I hope this causes everyone to look more deeply into the matter, as these to items I have raised only scratch the surface.

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  10 comments for Idea: "The Science Behind the Global Warming Debate is Finished"?????

  Submitted by thebookout 3 years ago

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  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  Official agency communications policy should be publicly available on the agency's website

  The official agency communications policy should be publicly available on the agency's website. Public affairs staff should have a plan for disseminating the policy to agency scientists and should conduct trainings in effective media communication that emphasize scientific openness.

  - From the 21st Century RTK Agenda

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  Submitted by 21stCenturyRTK 4 years ago

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  Making Government Operations More Open »

  Ensure that guidelines for the free flow of scientific information are implemented in a comprehensive manner.

  The President’s Science Adviser should ensure that guidelines for the free flow of scientific information are implemented in a comprehensive and timely manner. On the heels of repeated problems with the publication of important studies in various agencies, there has been some movement in the right direction on policies governing review and clearance of scientific materials. However, the manner in which agencies adopt ...more »

  The President’s Science Adviser should ensure that guidelines for the free flow of scientific information are implemented in a comprehensive and timely manner. On the heels of repeated problems with the publication of important studies in various agencies, there has been some movement in the right direction on policies governing review and clearance of scientific materials. However, the manner in which agencies adopt these new policies along with proper oversight and enforcement will be critical to counteract the deep-seated practices of reviewing findings through a political lens and delaying or manipulating reports that conflict with agency policies. The practice of releasing early drafts of official agency scientific documents, before OMB or interagency review, should be considered.

  - From the 21st Century RTK Agenda

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  2 comments for Idea: Ensure that guidelines for the free flow of scientific information are implemented in a comprehensive manner.

  Submitted by 21stCenturyRTK 4 years ago

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  Public-Private Partnerships »

  Level the playing field for innovators.

  Let the merit of an idea or innovation be the primary reason for government support. Remove biases in funding opportunities that favor large institutions over small entities. Merge individual or small business innovation funding into the same pool enjoyed by corporations, universities, and national laboratories. In this way, we can revive the spirit of American ingenuity.

  1 comment for Idea: Level the playing field for innovators.

  Submitted by Unsubscribed User 4 years ago

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  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  Agency employees are responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their communications

  Agency policies should make clear that employees are responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their communications and should not represent the agency on issues of politics or policy without prior approval from the Public Affairs Officer. Employees are also responsible for working with public affairs to make significant research developments accessible and comprehensible to the public. - From the 21st Century RTK ...more »

  Agency policies should make clear that employees are responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their communications and should not represent the agency on issues of politics or policy without prior approval from the Public Affairs Officer. Employees are also responsible for working with public affairs to make significant research developments accessible and comprehensible to the public.

  - From the 21st Century RTK Agenda

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  Submitted by 21stCenturyRTK 4 years ago

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  New Tools and Technologies »

  Completely switch the US to the metric system by 2019

  The United States is the only country that has not switched to the metric system other than Burma and Liberia [1]. The cost of not switching to the metric system is quickly increasing with the trend towards globalization. There are very strong economic and scientific reasons to switch the US to the metric system. In fact failing to switch could result in the US losing its competitive edge in science and technology, ...more »

  The United States is the only country that has not switched to the metric system other than Burma and Liberia [1]. The cost of not switching to the metric system is quickly increasing with the trend towards globalization.

  There are very strong economic and scientific reasons to switch the US to the metric system. In fact failing to switch could result in the US losing its competitive edge in science and technology, as well as continuing to create bilateral trade impediments with other countries.

  A poignant example of the economic impact of continuing to use obsolete and non-scientifically-grounded units is the Mars Climate Orbiter project, a $328 million NASA initiative which burned up on entry into the Mars atmosphere. A NASA subcontractor, Lockheed Martin, was using Imperial units rather than the metric units mandated for the project, causing the orbiter to come into orbit too low and to burn up in the outer atmosphere due to air friction [2].

  The cost of switching to metric will be quickly outweighed by the economic benefits of global interoperability. This is particularly important at this time as the dominance of US companies is being challenged in the competitive atmosphere of globalization. The process of switching to the metric system will likely result in the creation of many jobs, and by using the metric system daily, the US workforce will be more prepared to work in the international marketplace.

  A phased introduction of the metric system could begin by mandating that all new school textbooks, street signs, spedometers and supermarket products printed in the next 10 years use metric first or in a larger font followed by Imperial units in parentheses or in a smaller font underneath. This could be combined with a firm mandate for the country to switch completely to metric a decade from now. There is no reason full metrication of the United States could not take place in ten years. Delaying metrication will only increase the eventual cost of conversion due to continued national growth.

  We the undersigned call upon the United States Government and responsible citizens of the United States everywhere to do the work necessary to implement full metrication within the next decade, by the end of 2019.

  See also:

  http://www.change.org/ideas/view/nudge_the_us_to_adopt_the_metric_system

  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2324499886

  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3850801238563505476

  [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication

  [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Climate_Orbiter

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  3 comments for Idea: Completely switch the US to the metric system by 2019

  Submitted by luke.hutch 3 years ago

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  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  Neuroimaging and aphasia data sharing

  The government has made great strides toward encouraging the sharing of neuroimaging data. This sharing should save money and help advance brain studies. Data sharing is carefully controlled by policies that require de-identification of scans and patient/subject consent. However, the Veteran's Administration is apparently reluctant to allow data sharing, even when subjects would like to share their data! A project ...more »

  The government has made great strides toward encouraging the sharing of neuroimaging data. This sharing should save money and help advance brain studies. Data sharing is carefully controlled by policies that require de-identification of scans and patient/subject consent.

  However, the Veteran's Administration is apparently reluctant to allow data sharing, even when subjects would like to share their data!

  A project like the aphasia bank could really benefit from being able to offer shared scans of brain injuries along with behavioral and test data.

  If we want to understand the brain and help people, we must remove these impediments to data sharing.

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  1 comment for Idea: Neuroimaging and aphasia data sharing

  Submitted by Unsubscribed User 4 years ago

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  Legal & Policy Challenges »

  Do science, tell the truth and then write laws that honor reality.

  LLPF=BP. Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire equals Bad Policy. When the public notices a blatant lie, it undermines credibility on all statements. People automatically conclude that if they were lied to on one subject, then they question the validity of other subjects. Case study: Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base written by the Institute of Medicine; National Academy of Sciences. Copyright 1999 Conclusion: ...more »

  LLPF=BP. Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire equals Bad Policy.

  When the public notices a blatant lie, it undermines credibility on all statements. People automatically conclude that if they were lied to on one subject, then they question the validity of other subjects.

  Case study: Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base written by the Institute of Medicine; National Academy of Sciences. Copyright 1999

  Conclusion: Marijuana has medical potential and should be made available to patients.

  However, Marijuana is classified Schedule 1.

  http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/scheduling.html

  Schedule I.—

  (A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.

  (B) The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

  (C) There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision."

  So what we have here is a law that is in direct opposition to actual reality. How is a sane person supposed to respect the law when it is obviously based on lies?

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  1 comment for Idea: Do science, tell the truth and then write laws that honor reality.

  Submitted by Greg Vanderlaan 3 years ago

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  New Strategies and Techniques »

  Deploy Unused Federal Assets in Timely Manner for Natural Disasters

  Examine, discuss and plan for the use of rapid deployment of Federal Assets such as Fixed and Rotary Wing aircraft to proactively support areas in need due to impending or existing natural disaster within the U.S. Time and time again, state and local governments do not have the resources with which to adequately support preventative, or reactive measures to Natural Disasters that our citizen's fall victim to. A latest ...more »

  Examine, discuss and plan for the use of rapid deployment of Federal Assets such as Fixed and Rotary Wing aircraft to proactively support areas in need due to impending or existing natural disaster within the U.S.

  Time and time again, state and local governments do not have the resources with which to adequately support preventative, or reactive measures to Natural Disasters that our citizen's fall victim to.

  A latest case-in-point, and this stuff becomes so recurring it sheds light on the inefficiency at which government is often run, was the recent Firestorm in California. This was a known, high risk situation for years in a metropolitan city/area.

  Basically the federal assets exist in large numbers, and are often just grounded in waiting or deployed in training. Let's concert the non use of these kinds of assets to rapidly deploy within our own cities/area to support preventative measures and support measures to minimize disasters, collateral damages and potentially avert altogether.

  One simple example would be to deploy Air assets to carry fire retardants and fire suppression payloads in sufficient force and in a timely manner, when firestorm risks are high in a metro/city. To my friends in the mid-west, Central and Eastern states this is not like trying to prevent or minimize a Tornado or Hurricane or, an earthquake in the West. Although, emerging technologies may allow for some of that in the future.

  As a super simple example, whatever happened to the simple rainmaker techniques to prevent and supress firestorm? It's likely that kind of prevention and suppression requires too many assets for local and state governments to support ongoing in the scale required for effectiveness.

  So, in this theortical discussion, federal assets would be rapidly deployed for prevention and suppression methods until such time that they may (I repeat may) have to be rapidly redeployed into potentially higher priority national or international security missions.

  In the end though, my point is that lives and property can be safeguarded and in this exampl. Where those two elements are involved, I believe the federal government should have some responsibility in providing timely and masterfully planned/executed support.

  I think this can be extrapolated out a long way, forms a foundation for leadership in this important issue in the citizen's protection and quality of life and may spark additional development/advancements in natural disaster countermeasures.

  Having been in the U.S. Military and having worked extensively within enormous Department of Defense Aerospace projects, the assets exist and are routinely otherwise under utilized.

  Just my non-professional 2 cents and my first stab a subject within this new forum, so please no hate mail. And no, I don't work for the Fire Deparment's or National Forest Services.

  John Ruben

  Simi Valley, California

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  1 comment for Idea: Deploy Unused Federal Assets in Timely Manner for Natural Disasters

  Submitted by Unsubscribed User 4 years ago

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  Uncategorized »

  A New Kind of Textbook

  This idea would start out with a contest. Maybe someone like the Gates Foundation could sponsor it to make it worthwhile. The contest would present a list of critical scientific concepts that every educated person should know. Contestants would then submit the simplest possible method they could think of for getting the concepts across. Methods would be categorized by visual, tactile and auditory to cover different ...more »

  This idea would start out with a contest. Maybe someone like the Gates Foundation could sponsor it to make it worthwhile. The contest would present a list of critical scientific concepts that every educated person should know. Contestants would then submit the simplest possible method they could think of for getting the concepts across. Methods would be categorized by visual, tactile and auditory to cover different learning styles. Rewards would be given to each person who came up with the simplest method of getting one of the concepts across in each of the categories. Bonus dollars might be awarded based on entertainment value. After the contest was over the winning entries would be published in grade-level textbooks, giving us a set of learning guides written for all types of learners based on the thoughts of our most creative teachers (winners).

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  2 comments for Idea: A New Kind of Textbook

  Submitted by longshot9999 3 years ago

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