US panel clears publication of revised version of bird flu studies - April 2, 2012
The US’ National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) recently announced its support to publish research studies showing how scientists made new easy-to-spread forms of bird flu. According to the board, the studies, now revised, do not reveal details bioterrorists could use.… Read More
AAAS expresses concern over passing of Oklahoma’s science education bill - March 27, 2012
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has expressed concern over a proposed Oklahoma legislation that would encourage the state’s public school teachers to question the well-established science behind evolution and global climate change. In a letter dated March 21 to state Senator John… Read More
US scholarly journal publishers oppose Federal Research Public Access Act - March 6, 2012
Eighty-one US scholarly journal publishing organisations have expressed their strong opposition to the third introduction of the Federal Research Public Access Act (FRPAA, H.R. 4004 and S.2096). The Association of American Publishers' Professional and Scholarly Publishing Division (AAP/PSP) and the DC Principles Coalition sent letters -… Read More
‘Nature’ asks Canadian government to stop muzzling scientists - March 5, 2012
Scientific journal Nature has reportedly accused the Canadian government of limiting its scientists from speaking publicly about their research. In an editorial, published in the latest issue of the journal, Nature called on the Canadian government to set its scientists free. … Read More
NFAIS posts draft discovery service code of practice for review and comment - February 7, 2012
The US' National Federation of Advanced Information Services (NFAIS) recently posted a draft Discovery Service Code of Practice for review and comment by March 16, 2012. NFAIS believes that discovery services have the potential to provide ease of information discovery, access and use, benefitting not only… Read More
Science, Nature publish NSABB statement on risk from avian flu research publication - February 2, 2012
The US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) has published a policy statement warning about the ‘unusually high magnitude’ risk from unrestricted publication of avian flu research. The NSABB statement was published online recently by the scientific journals Science and Nature, which will publish them… Read More
NISO and NFAIS issue draft for public comment of Recommended Practice on Supplemental Materials for Journal Articles - February 1, 2012
The National Information Standards Organization (NISO) and the National Federation for Advanced Information Services (NFAIS) have issued a new Recommended Practice on Online Supplemental Journal Article Materials, Part A: Business Policies and Practices (NISO RP-15-201x) for public comment ending on February 29, 2012. It has… Read More
American Society of Plant Biologists not for Research Works Act - January 31, 2012
The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) has stated that it does not endorse the Research Works Act (RWA; H.R. 3699), which was introduced into the US Congress late last year. If the RWA were to become law, it would essentially repeal the National Institutes of… Read More
ARL releases Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Academic and Research Libraries - January 27, 2012
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has announced the release of the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Academic and Research Libraries. The Code is described as a clear and easy-to-use statement of fair and reasonable approaches to fair use developed by and for… Read More
NPG, Digital Science, Palgrave express concerns over SOPA and PIPA - January 19, 2012
Publishers Nature Publishing Group (NPG), Digital Science and Palgrave have issued a joint statement on the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA) legislations in the US. NPG, Digital Science and Palgrave provide a range of publications, information and digital services to… Read More
