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NATO to Launch €1B Fund for High Tech Start-Ups in Dual Use Technologies

NATO to Launch €1B Fund for High Tech Start-Ups in Dual Use Technologies

NATO has launched a new research programme called DIANA to bring industry, start-up companies and academia together to research new dual-use technologies that address both societal problems and national security issues. The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) is focusing on technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data processing, quantum-enabled technologies, autonomy, biotechnology, novel materials and space.

ERC Issues Ultimatum Telling 150 UK-Based Grant Holders to Move to the EU

ERC Issues Ultimatum Telling 150 UK-Based Grant Holders to Move to the EU

The European Research Council (ERC) has asked successful applicants based in the UK to move to an EU institution within the next two months, or else give up their grants. 

Researchers Urge Inclusion of UK and Switzerland in Cyber-Climate Project

Researchers Urge Inclusion of UK and Switzerland in Cyber-Climate Project

An ambitious EU initiative aiming to create a cyber-replica of Planet Earth for climate-impact simulations may not include British or Swiss organisations - and some researchers in the project say that's a problem.

The War in Ukraine is Exposing Gaps in the World's Food-Systems Research

The War in Ukraine is Exposing Gaps in the World's Food-Systems Research

Russia's invasion is the latest threat to the stability of world food supplies. Researchers must act now to halt the cycle of repeated food crises.

Nigeria Begins National Performance Trials for GM Maize

Nigeria Begins National Performance Trials for GM Maize

Nigeria is set to begin national performance trials for genetically modified  TELA maize. As the West African nation makes another leap towards greater pest-resistance and productivity, particularly for small-scale farmers.

1,000+ Scientists Worldwide Engaged in Civil Disobedience for Climate Action

1,000+ Scientists Worldwide Engaged in Civil Disobedience for Climate Action

Scientists chained themselves to the White House fence, blocked bridges and occupied buildings. Dozens were arrested.

Stick to Science Builds Second Wave

Stick to Science Builds Second Wave

The research community in Europe has rallied behind the Stick to Science campaign, set up in February to push for a rapid resolution to the exclusion of Switzerland and the United Kingdom from EU research and innovation programmes.

Community science rides the escalator of public engagement

Community science rides the escalator of public engagement

Too often, science public communication programmes are didactic in nature. To help generate genuine engagement, the EU-funded DITOs project launched two-way discussions to inspire the public and influence policy.

EU and US Come to 'Agreement in Principle' on Data Flows

EU and US Come to 'Agreement in Principle' on Data Flows

The EU and US have reached an agreement in principle on facilitating data flows, including research data, across the Atlantic. Steady data sharing has been hampered since the EU's Court of Justice struck down the old rules due to concerns about US government surveillance in July 2020.

Scientists Fear Excluding Russia from Arctic Research Will Derail Climate Change Effort

Scientists Fear Excluding Russia from Arctic Research Will Derail Climate Change Effort

Crucial climate change research in the Artic is in jeopardy after the operation of the Arctic Council that coordinates the work was put on hold following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

UK Announces Russia Sanctions in Line with EU Measures

UK Announces Russia Sanctions in Line with EU Measures

The UK has followed much of the rest of Europe and announced its own scientific sanctions against Russia, leaving the US, which has still not issued any centralised guidance, increasingly isolated in its inaction. After reviewing its Russian links, the UK has said its research and innovation funding organisations will not start any new projects with Russia. Payments to existing projects "with a Russian dimension" have been paused pending an assessment of which ones "benefit the Russian regime."

How and Why to Say 'no' to Colleagues and Collaborators

How and Why to Say 'no' to Colleagues and Collaborators

Sometimes it's best to refuse offers and focus on the right projects to benefit your career.

Global Vaccination Must Be Swifter

Global Vaccination Must Be Swifter

Speeding up development of new vaccines won't help much in the next pandemic, unless world leaders work faster to roll out vaccination globally.

New US Rules on Sharing Healthcare Research Data Are a Giant Leap for Open Science

New US Rules on Sharing Healthcare Research Data Are a Giant Leap for Open Science

In order to get funding from the National Institutes of Health, researchers now need a plan for sharing and managing their data. 

Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl In Household Waste May Be Going Airborne

Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl In Household Waste May Be Going Airborne

Municipal waste incinerators only report hazardous air pollutants-like dioxin, mercury, and lead-to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) every three years, and PFAS compounds are not yet listed in this category. 

Research Infrastructures Face Disruption Due to Association Deadlock

Research Infrastructures Face Disruption Due to Association Deadlock

When JET, the Joint European Torus, announced a breakthrough in the production of fusion energy in February, the celebrations could be heard across Europe. Although based in the UK, the project belongs to a much wider fusion research community.

After Lockdown: A Metamorphosis by Bruno Latour (Book Review)

After Lockdown: A Metamorphosis by Bruno Latour (Book Review)

In After Lockdown: A Metamorphosis, Bruno Latour explores how the experience of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic has led us to better understand our connections with other living beings, in ways that might be conducive to confronting our climate crisis. This book will be of interest to anyone wanting to explore the philosophical meanings of lockdowns, Gaia theories and climate politics.

Do Octopuses Have Emotions?

Do Octopuses Have Emotions?

They look so "alien," but octopuses feel and remember pain like we do. We can track their emotional reactions. But their deeper feelings are a mystery.

ERA4Ukraine: a One-stop-shop to Support Researchers of Ukraine

ERA4Ukraine: a One-stop-shop to Support Researchers of Ukraine

The Commission launched 'European Research Area for Ukraine' (ERA4Ukraine), a one-stop-shop for information and support services to Ukraine-based researchers and researchers fleeing Ukraine. 

Ukraine Invasion Triggers Push to Cut Science Ties With Russia

Ukraine Invasion Triggers Push to Cut Science Ties With Russia

Governments and science organizations around the world are grappling over the extent to which sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine should extend to scientific exchanges.

Open Science Publishing Strikes a Rich Seam with 'Open Research Europe' Publishing Platform

Open Science Publishing Strikes a Rich Seam with 'Open Research Europe' Publishing Platform

With a goal of making scientific knowledge more freely available to researchers and the public, Open Research Europe (ORE) has spent the first year of its existence establishing its profile and winning over the scientific community.

Recommendations for Discipline-Specific FAIRness Evaluation Derived from Applying an Ensemble of Evaluation Tools

Recommendations for Discipline-Specific FAIRness Evaluation Derived from Applying an Ensemble of Evaluation Tools

From a research data repositories’ perspective, offering research data management services in line with the FAIR principles is becoming increasingly important. However, there exists no globally established and trusted approach to evaluate FAIRness to date. This article applies five different available FAIRness evaluation approaches to selected data archived in the World Data Center for Climate (WDCC).

Commission Launches Support Platform for Ukrainian Scientists

Commission Launches Support Platform for Ukrainian Scientists

The European Commission today launched a portal that pulls together information and support services for researchers in Ukraine and those fleeing the Russian invasion of the country, amid calls for coordinated EU action. The portal offers help with finding housing, job opportunities and recognition of education qualifications.