New NSF Initiatives to Foster Innovation

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In light of a report issued by its National Science Board, the National Science Foundation has launched a number of initiatives aimed at helping the US remain a powerhouse in scientific research and technological innovation.  “This information clearly shows we must re-examine long-held assumptions about the global dominance of the American science and technology enterprise,” said NSF Director Subra Suresh.

Science Across Virtual Institutes (SAVI) and The NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) are two such efforts (among others) that will provide funding for international collaboration between scientists, engineers and educators and connect NSF-funded research with members of private industry to promote innovation.

Blog Buzz: February 27 – March 2

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In a carefully worded statement released Monday, Elsevier withdrew support for HR3699, also known as the Research Works Act. Later that same day representatives sponsoring the bill in the House announced they were dropping it too, and open access advocates cheered across the social media universe! Michael Eisen congratulated everyone and reminded readers that there are more battles for open access to come. Here is the NY Times’ take on the issue of access to publicly funded research, and Jen Howard of the Chronicle for Higher Education on the end of the RWA.

Michelle Kraft posted a nice rundown of which social media sites own your content and how in The Devil is in the Details: Social Media’s Right to Your Content.

A Washington Post piece called The world’s most boring journal–and why it’s good for Science has been making a splash on Twitter.

The FDA has added new warnings to statins and may fine Merck for failure to conduct postmarketing tests of two diabetes drugs.

And, last but not least, the NY Times on the unveiling of Microsoft’s Windows 8.