EurekAlert! News by Subject: Policy & Ethics - News by Subject: Policy & Ethics

Policy & Ethics

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 26-Jun-2025 11:10 ET (26-Jun-2025 15:10 GMT/UTC)

The first “SpongeBooster of the Year” award celebrates efforts in wetland restoration

Pensoft Publishers
Meeting Announcement

Over recent centuries, the intensification of land use has caused the loss of natural sponge functions in landscapes. River straightening, bank stabilisation and embankments disrupt the natural exchange of water with the floodplains, which not only absorb and slowly release water during droughts but also provide diverse habitats, nature-based flood protection, and valuable recreational areas. Restoring wetlands is vital in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises.

The "SpongeBoost" project supports policy-making, restoration, and land-use planning, promoting cost-effective, nature-based solutions that align with EU Climate Adaptation goals. With the establishment of the “SpongeBooster of the Year” award, the project aimed to spread recognition for those committed to restoring sponge landscapes, assessed not only on implementation but also on public relations, environmental education, and regional cooperation.

Funder: Horizon Europe

Empowering scientists to inform policy: George Mason researcher leads new civic science initiative

George Mason University
Grant and Award Announcement

As the need for evidence-based policymaking grows, so does the importance of scientists being able to clearly communicate their research to decision-makers. K.L. Akerlof, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason University, has received funding from the Rita Allen Foundation to lead a national initiative titled, “Training Researchers to Communicate Science for Policy as a Key Dimension of Civic Science.” The project aims to equip researchers with the tools and training needed to engage effectively in the policymaking process.

Funder: Rita Allen Foundation

E-cigarette and cannabis social media posts and adolescent substance use

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In this survey study of California adolescents, exposure to e-cigarette or cannabis posts was associated with adolescent e-cigarette, cannabis, or dual use. Improvement of social media community guidelines and greater policy attention to co-use and marketing of e-cigarettes and cannabis may help prevent youth substance use.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

National data shows post-pandemic rise in head and shoulder injuries for youth hockey players

The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Peer-Reviewed Publication

This research highlights emerging injury patterns in youth ice hockey, specifically a rise in serious head and shoulder injuries after the pandemic. Understanding these trends can inform safer equipment standards, improve injury prevention strategies, and guide policy changes to better protect young athletes.

Journal: Injury

Trusted oncology guidelines get a digital makeover: National Comprehensive Cancer Network launches NCCN Guidelines Navigator

National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Business Announcement

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)—an alliance of leading cancer centers—announces a new, interactive digital delivery format for the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines).

Is it immoral to be too rich?

PNAS Nexus
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Is excessive wealth immoral? Most people do not think so, but members of societies that are more equal and wealthy than average are more likely to believe it is wrong to have too much money.

Journal: PNAS Nexus

Concerned father, statistician develops software to improve skills therapy

Penn State
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Mark Ramos, assistant research professor of health policy and administration at Penn State, wrote software code that can be used by therapists to verify that children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities are mastering skills at the level needed.

Journal: Behavior Analysis in Practice

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