Science Policy in the Science Times
Shinya Yamanaka’s work developing iPS cells puts Japan back on the map for basic medical research. A profile of one of the the scientists behind one of the biggest life-sciences breakthroughs of the year, and a window into the trial-and-error methods of complex lab work. It also mentions his plans to commercialize stem cell research for drug development, a potent avenue described in Kathryn Hinsch’s recent Science Progress article.
“Because the world now fights malaria—ineptly—with nets, insecticides and drugs, a vaccine is desperately needed.” Another inside-the-lab look at Sanaria Inc., which is working on a malaria vaccine made from whole irradiated parasites, rather than protein fragments. Founded with backing from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Army, and the Institute for One World Health, $29 million from the Gates Foundation ramped up research last year. Questions about the vaccine’s effectiveness, safety, and difficulty of storage and delivery remain.
Should states and cities distribute naloxone, which counteracts the effects of a heroin overdose, directly to addicts? Some public health officials point to existing programs that do so, citing drops in overdose death rates, and call the policy “a no-brainer”; the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy says there is insufficient data to support the conclusion.
“Peace can be defined as security and the secure access to resources that are essential for living,” said Rajendra K. Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, accepting one-half of the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the organization, which shared the honor with former Vice President Al Gore.
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