News
Researchers Are One Step Closer to Diagnosing CTE during Life, Rather Than after Death
A new BU CTE Center paper connects cognitive and behavioral symptoms to protein buildup in the brain that marks the disease.
Professor Receives NIH Grant to Study Impact of Extreme Heat on Mental Health
With the new award, Amruta Nori-Sarma and colleagues aim to better understand the social, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence vulnerability to adverse mental health impacts of extreme heat.
Antisemitism, NSF AI Adviser, LinkedIn
BU IN DC
Kevin Gallagher of the Global Development Policy Center joined the Task Force on Climate, Development and the International Monetary Fund for strategy meetings and policy dialogue between January 29th and 31st.
Ibram X. Kendi of the Center for Antiracist Research delivered a book talk at the DC Public Library on January 24th.
David Carballo, Wendy Colby, Amie Grills, Laura Johnson, Sarah Hokanson, and Lynn O'Brien Hallstein of the Office of the Provost and Sarah Lipson of the School of Public Health spoke at the American Association of Colleges & Universities Annual Meeting on January 18th and 19th.
HOUSE COMMITTEE RAMPS UP WORK ON COLLEGE COSTS, ANTISEMITISM
The House Education and the Workforce Committee continued its focus on higher education in January, launching new investigations into campus antisemitism and advancing a bill that would restructure the federal student aid system.
- Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has requested that Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania share documents and answer questions regarding disciplinary proceedings, internal deliberations, and policies related to the schools' approach to addressing antisemitism.
- On Wednesday, the committee passed the College Cost Reduction Act on a party-line vote following a contentious debate. The bill would cap the amount students can borrow based on the median cost of college, require colleges to repay a portion of their graduates' unpaid student loan balances, and repeal several consumer protections enacted by the Biden Administration. Committee Democrats said the bill would reduce access to higher education; the Senate has no plans to consider the bill.
BUZZ BITS...
- Last month, Congress further delayed consideration of the annual spending bills that determine the federal budget. The body gave itself new March deadlines to complete the spending bills, five months past the statutory deadline. Absent final bills, federal science agencies must continue to delay new programs and reduce grant awards.
- The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that Tess deBlanc-Knowles is special assistant to the NSF director for artificial intelligence (AI), effective December 12th. She is facilitating NSF's AI initiatives and its participation in the Biden Administration's executive order on AI. deBlanc-Knowles previously served in senior roles with the White House National AI Initiative office and the National Security Commission on AI.
- In December, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) working group on re-envisioning NIH-supported postdoctoral training recommended that the salary minimum for NIH-supported post-docs increase to $70,000, a $14,000 increase that the group noted would likely result in fewer post-docs. The group also recommended improved benefits and a five-year limit on support to encourage faster transition to the next career stage. NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli will decide how the agency will respond to the recommendations.
EVENT NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Strategic Communications series cohosted by BU Public Relations | Social Media and the Office of Research continues on February 15th at 3 p.m. with "Rock Your Profile: Strategies to Enhance Your LinkedIn Presence and Maximize Research Impact." The 60-minute online workshop will equip researchers with tools and insights to navigate LinkedIn professionally, with a focus on research excellence and impactful thought-leadership. LinkedIn's Client Solutions team will share practical tips to enhance key profile elements and highlight academic achievements, publications, and other research initiatives.
For BU Custodian Victor Cabral, “This Job Is Never Done”
In our video, the 73-year old employee demonstrates what it takes to keep West Campus looking its best.
Disasters, Mexico City Policy, Better Boston
FACULTY EXPERT
Why Is the US So Unprepared for Natural Disasters?
BU School of Social Work researcher Darien Alexander Williams studies how climate change, disaster response, and urban planning intertwine with social justice and racism.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
Trump-Era Policy on Global Aid Curtailed Family Planning Services in Africa
A new BU School of Public Health study found that the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy, formerly known as the Mexico City Policy, reduced the provision and use of contraceptives, as well as community health volunteer services, in African countries.
ON THE CHARLES RIVER
Building a Better Boston
Faculty and students are partnering with city and nonprofit leaders to improve the place where they work, study, and live.
THOUGHT LEADERS
In Case You Missed It...
BU Professors Dan Li and Lucy Hutyra were named to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey's climate science advisory panel... The National Institutes of Health featured a crystal ribcage that allows scientists to see the inner workings of the lungs created by College of Engineering Professor Hadi Nia... BU master lecturer Regina Hansen explains why Hollywood is still so enamored with "The Exorcist" 50 years after its debut in The Conversation... College of Communication Professor Joan Donovan explains networked incitement, when political violence is orchestrated over social media, in The Conversation... Professors Joseph Rezek and Yuri Corrigan received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities.