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

Policy & Ethics

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 26-Nov-2025 05:12 ET (26-Nov-2025 10:12 GMT/UTC)

Telehealth works but rules need changing

Flinders University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Telehealth keeps Australians healthier and more connected, but outdated rules are keeping it out of reach for those who need it the most, say Flinders University researchers. The first of its kind global systematic review and meta-analysis found the service reduces hospital visits, improves mental health, and helps people feel more connected to their communities. Despite these benefits, the authors note that Medicare still requires most patients to have seen their GP in person within the past 12 months to qualify for telehealth rebates, highlighting that for truly homebound individuals, this is often impossible.

Journal: Health & Social Care in the Community
Funder: Flinders University

Intensity of opioid use appears to be higher in fentanyl era

Carnegie Mellon University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Illegal opioids can create substantial harms, but the extent of those harms depends on multiple factors, including the amount consumed. In a new study, researchers assessed whether opioid consumption intensity varies appreciably over time or context. They found that intensity—as opposed to prevalence—of illegal opioid use varies enormously. These findings have implications for drug treatment and policy.

Journal: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation

Lunar Policy Platform (LPP), Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), and International Astronomical Union (IAU) sign MoU on Lunar Science & Ethics

International Science Council Committee on Space Research
Business Announcement

July 14th, 2025 – The Lunar Policy Platform (LPP), the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) have signed a 3 years Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable and facilitate cooperation and collaboration between them supporting peaceful, safe, and sustainable lunar activities. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in fostering global multi stakeholder discussions for a balanced and participatory approach to lunar activities.

Millions denied life-saving surgery as global targets missed – study

University of Birmingham
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Progress towards universal access to safe, affordable surgical care is dangerously off track as at least 160 million patients each year unable to receive surgery - with Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) bearing the brunt of the crisis.

Journal: The Lancet

Here’s how we help an iconic California fish survive the gauntlet of today’s highly modified waterways

University of California - Santa Cruz
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Facilitated migration is a practical, science-backed solution. A new framework developed by scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, shows that, by timing flow releases to match the migration needs of juvenile Chinook salmon, the approch can increase their survival rates by 40 to 400 percent.

Journal: Ecological Applications

Study finds cities with proactive, risk-tolerant governing styles most likely to have ambitious climate strategies

University of Kansas
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers with the University of Kansas' School of Public Affairs and Administration have published a study finding that cities that have a proactive, learning-oriented and risk-tolerant governance style are more likely to implement and follow amibitious climate resilience strategies. The researchers found through survey data that city governments with higher transformative governance capacity were more likely to take part in voluntary FEMA programs and have high local policy ambitions.

Journal: Climate Policy

Recommendations and practical tools issued for conducting ethical first-in-human pig kidney xenotransplant clinical trials

The Hastings Center
Reports and Proceedings

A multisite research team has issued ethical and policy recommendations for first-in-human clinical trials involving the transplantation of pig kidneys into humans. The first trial has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and could begin this year.

Funder: NIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

91
92
93
94
95