Science requires ethical oversight – without federal dollars, society’s health and safety are at risk

There are several steps between research on seemingly esoteric subjects and breakthrough medical treatments. Ethical oversight at every stage ensures science and society ultimately benefit.

Nancy M. P. King, Emeritus Professor of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University • conversation
May 9, 2025 • ~12 min

The Women’s Health Initiative has shaped women’s health for over 30 years, but its future is uncertain

The landmark study, which enrolled more than 160,000 participants and has informed public health guidelines for women over 50, is still making tremendous contributions to women’s health.

Jean Wactawski-Wende, Professor of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo • conversation
May 2, 2025 • ~8 min

Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short − federal support is essential for medical breakthroughs

The National Institutes of Health has been integral to scientific progress in treating countless human diseases. Without its support, patients will ultimately pay the price.

Patrick Mitchell, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington • conversation
March 28, 2025 • ~13 min

NIH funding cuts will hit red states, rural areas and underserved communities the hardest

The majority of the 23 states disproportionately affected by the cuts are red states.

Mitzi Nagarkatti, Professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina • conversation
March 7, 2025 • ~11 min

How much does scientific progress cost? Without government dollars for research infrastructure, breakthroughs become improbable

It costs money to maintain the various facilities, utilities and personnel that allow scientists to conduct research in the first place. Without federal support, institutions are left scrambling.

Aliasger K. Salem, Bighley Chair and Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iowa • conversation
Feb. 12, 2025 • ~10 min

Organ-on-a-chip models allow researchers to conduct studies closer to real-life conditions – and possibly grease the drug development pipeline

Successes in the lab mostly don’t translate to people. Research models that better mimic the human body could close the gap.

Chengpeng Chen, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
Jan. 10, 2023 • ~7 min

Visualizing the inside of cells at previously impossible resolutions provides vivid insights into how they work

Many microscopy techniques have won Nobel Prizes over the years. Advancements like cryo-ET that allow scientists to see the individual atoms of cells can reveal their biological functions.

Jeremy Berg, Professor of Computational and Systems Biology, Associate Senior Vice Chancellor for Science Strategy and Planning, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Jan. 6, 2023 • ~7 min

Nanomedicines for various diseases are in development – but research facilities produce vastly inconsistent results on how the body will react to them

The proteins that cover nanoparticles are essential to understanding how they work in the body. Across 17 proteomics facilities in the US, less than 2% of the identified proteins were identical.

Morteza Mahmoudi, Assistant Professor of Radiology, Michigan State University • conversation
Jan. 5, 2023 • ~5 min

What is ethical animal research? A scientist and veterinarian explain

Guidelines and regulations weigh the medical and health benefits of animal research with researchers’ ability to ensure humane care of their subjects from start to finish.

Rachelle Stammen, Clinical Veterinarian, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University • conversation
Nov. 23, 2022 • ~12 min

Figuring out omicron – here's what scientists are doing right now to understand the new coronavirus variant

Careful lab work will complement public health data as researchers worldwide focus on omicron, asking questions about contagiousness, severity of disease and whether vaccines hold up against it.

Peter Kasson, Associate Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia • conversation
Dec. 9, 2021 • ~9 min

/

2