Science Policy Research Articles

Rapid seagrass meadow expansion in an Indian Ocean bright spot

The areal extent of seagrass meadows is in rapid global decline, yet they provide highly valuable societal benefits. However, their conservation is hindered by data gaps on current and historic spatial extents. Here, we outline an approach for national-scale seagrass mapping and monitoring using an open-source platform (Google Earth Engine) and freely available satellite data (Landsat, Sentinel-2) that can be readily applied in other countries globally. Specifically, we map contemporary (2021) and historical (2000–2021; n = 10 maps) shallow water seagrass extent across the Maldives. We found contemporary Maldivian seagrass extent was ~ 105 km2 (overall accuracy = 82.04%) and, notably, that seagrass area increased threefold between 2000 and 2021 (linear model, + 4.6 km2 year−1, r2 = 0.93, p < 0.001). There was a strongly significant association between seagrass and anthropogenic activity (p < 0.001) that we hypothesize to be driven by nutrient loading and/or altered sediment dynamics (from large scale land reclamation), which would represent a beneficial anthropogenic influence on Maldivian seagrass meadows. National-scale tropical seagrass expansion is unique against the backdrop of global seagrass decline and we therefore highlight the Maldives as a rare global seagrass ‘bright spot’ highly worthy of increased attention across scientific, commercial, and conservation policy contexts.

Evaluating net primary productivity dynamics and their response to land-use change in the loess plateau after the 'Grain for Green' program

Assessing net primary productivity (NPP) dynamics and the contribution of land-use change (LUC) to NPP can help guide scientific policy to better restore and control the ecological environment. Since 1999, the “Green for Grain” Program (GGP) has strongly affected the spatial and temporal pattern of NPP on the Loess Plateau (LP); however, the multifaceted impact of phased vegetation engineering measures on NPP dynamics remains unclear. In this study, the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model was used to simulate NPP dynamics and quantify the relative contributions of LUC and climate change (CC) to NPP under two different scenarios. The results showed that the average NPP on the LP increased from 240.7 gC·m−2 to 422.5 gC·m−2 from 2001 to 2020, with 67.43% of the areas showing a significant increasing trend. LUC was the main contributor to NPP increases during the study period, and precipitation was the most important climatic factor affecting NPP dynamics. The cumulative amount of NPP change caused by LUC (ΔNPPLUC) showed a fluctuating growth trend (from 46.23 gC·m−2 to 127.25 gC·m−2), with a higher growth rate in period ΙΙ (2010–2020) than in period Ι (2001–2010), which may be related to the accumulation of vegetation biomass and the delayed effect of the GGP on NPP. The contribution rate of LUC to increased NPP in periods Ι and ΙΙ was 101.2% and 51.2%, respectively. Regarding the transformation mode, the transformation of grassland to forest had the greatest influence on ΔNPPLUC. Regarding land-use type, the increased efficiency of NPP was improved in cropland, grassland, and forest. This study provides a scientific basis for the scientific management and development of vegetation engineering measures and regional sustainable development.

On the shoulders of fallen giants: What do references to retracted research tell us about citation behaviors?

Abstract Citations are increasingly being used to evaluate institutional and individual performance, suggesting a need for rigorous research to understand what behaviors citations are reflecting and what these behaviors mean for the institution of science. To overcome challenges in accurately representing the citation generation process, we use postretraction citations to test competing theories under two different citation search processes, empirically testing predictions on the spread of retracted references. We find that retracted papers are continually cited after the retraction, and that these citations are more likely to come from audiences likely to be unfamiliar with the field of the retracted paper. In addition, we find this association to be much stronger among those citing high-status journals, consistent with the behavior of scientists relying on heuristic search instead of engaged search process. While the current policy debate on misinformation in science emphasizes increasing the visibility of retraction labels to discourage the use of such publications, we argue that institutional-level interventions may be more effective, as such interventions are more consistent with the heuristic citation process. As such citation behavior may not be limited to the case of postretraction citations, we discuss the implications for current science studies as well as science policy.

Inclusion as a science, technology, and innovation policy objective in high-income countries: the decoupling dilemma

Abstract This paper scrutinizes the objective of inclusion in contemporary science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies by analyzing its manifestations within the broad STI policy language promoting a closer interaction between science and society. We contribute to the STI policy literature by revisiting current conceptualizations that primarily center on marginalized groups. By analyzing the Broader Impacts Criterion and Responsible Research and Innovation frameworks in the USA and the European Union, we show that inclusion in the context of high-income countries is partially decoupling from marginalization and increasingly being instrumentalized to serve impact agendas. Our conceptual framework synthesizing the dimensions of goal setting and agency illustrates the broadening scope of inclusive policies and the emergent decoupling dilemma that has been neglected in the literature. Future research must account for the growing ambiguity of policy language that is facing new legitimacy questions and the blurring of objectives focused on supporting marginalized groups.

The Wise-Use Checklist as a Science–Policy Interface– The Interaction of Science and Policy in Taiwanese Wetland Conservation Policy

The Wise-Use Checklist as a Science–Policy Interface– The Interaction of Science and Policy in Taiwanese Wetland Conservation Policy

Bioethicists Today: Results of the Views in Bioethics Survey

Bioethicists influence practices and policies in medicine, science, and public health. However, little is known about bioethicists’ views. We recently surveyed 824 U.S. bioethicists on a wide range of ethical issues, including topics related to abortion, medical aid in dying, and resource allocation, among others. We also asked bioethicists about their demographic, religious, academic, and professional backgrounds. We find that bioethicists’ normative commitments predict their views on bioethical issues. We also find that, in important ways, bioethicists’ views do not align with those of the U.S. public: for instance, bioethicists are more likely than members of the public to think abortion is ethically permissible but are less likely to believe compensating organ donors is. Our demographic results indicate the field of bioethics is far less diverse than the U.S. population—less diverse even than other academic disciplines—suggesting far more work needs to be done to build an inclusive field.

Musculoskeletal disorders and risk indicators for pain chronification among German dentists: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal (MS) disorders in practicing German dentists and identify risk factors for pain chronification. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, quantitative, questionnaire-based study in which the validated German version of the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire was sent out to practicing German dentists. ResultsOf the 8,072 questionnaires sent out, 576 dentists responded (60.2% men, 39.8% women; mean [SD] age, 50 [10.1] years; response rate, 7.1%). Overall, 344 dentists had current pain at 719 pain sites (point prevalence, 59.7%). The risk of chronic pain in dentists with current MS pain was high in 28.5% (n = 98), moderate in 30.5% (n = 105), and low in 41% (n = 141). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that specialization in restorative dentistry was associated with a significantly higher risk of experiencing pain chronification (odds ratio [OR], 3.94; P = .008), followed by specialization in pediatric dentistry (OR, 0.35; P = .048). A history of current pain, particularly current leg pain, was predictive of higher chronification risk (OR, 22.0; P < .001) and neck pain (OR, 4.51; P = .001). ConclusionsAlmost two-thirds of practicing German dentists have MS pain, and one-third of these have a moderate through high risk of developing pain chronification. These health problems have an adverse impact on their ability to successfully perform dental services, with the potential for prolonged sick leave, disability, and early retirement. Accordingly, these problems deserve greater attention from the scientific community (identification of risk factors), universities (sensitization and education), and policy makers (development and implementation of appropriate countermeasures for MS disorders in the dental profession). Practical ImplicationsKnowing the risk factors associated with acute and chronic MS pain may help dentists take preventive measures and thereby improve their physical well-being and work-related quality of life.

Degrowth scenarios for biodiversity? Key methodological steps and a call for collaboration

AbstractStudies show that economic growth contributes to biodiversity loss and that, after a certain threshold, it does not contribute to wellbeing. Thus, when developing biodiversity scenarios, considering societal futures where economic growth is not a pre-condition deserves special attention. However, to date, degrowth scenarios have not been explored for biodiversity conservation and human wellbeing. In this paper, we explain how the Nature Futures Framework (NFF) and other approaches could be used to generate degrowth scenarios for biodiversity, nature’s contributions to people (NCP) and good quality of life (GQL) based on multiple societal values. We present key methodological steps of such an endeavour, including: (i) producing degrowth visions for high-income countries; (ii) identifying leverage points and imagining degrowth pathways; (iii) identifying key social–ecological interactions; and (iv) modelling biodiversity, NCP, and GQL along degrowth scenarios. Our proposal is framed within current theoretical, empirical, and modelling work as well as within efforts to improve scenario development across the biodiversity and climate communities. To develop degrowth scenarios for biodiversity, NCP, and GQL, we call for collaboration across natural and social sciences, quantitative and qualitative approaches, and northern and southern perspectives. This collaboration could lead to a community of practice that tests and improves the degrowth scenarios in national and international science–policy interfaces as they set out to achieve the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature.

Navigating complexity: looking at the potential contribution of a boundary organisation in Portugal to evidence-informed policy

Governments deal increasingly with multidimensional problems involving high levels of complexity. These so-called wicked problems, such as climate change, demand coordinated and coherent government action, as well as multi-stakeholder approaches. Boundary Organisations (BO), working at the knowledge-interface of the science–policy–society nexus may contribute substantially to both ends. This paper considers the potential contribution of the recently created Competence Centre for Planning, Policy, and Foresight of the Public Administration (PlanAPP), a Portuguese BO at the centre of government, to evidence-informed policy. To this goal, we focus on two streams of literature, Policy Coordination and Coherence (PCC) and Knowledge Governance (KG). An analytical framework with two dimensions is proposed: the first dimension considers if and how PlanAPP engages in boundary work; the second dimension looks at the activities that PlanAPP implements and their potential for PCC and KG. Our results support the idea that PlanAPP is promoting work on the knowledge-interface for public policy, with the potential to become a main player in supporting governments to address policy issues, including wicked problems, whilst potentially triggering a shift to knowledge governance in Portugal’s public administration. Nevertheless, PlanAPP could further intensify boundary activities, especially by increasing civil society participation and producing shared outputs that all actors involved recognise as legitimate, increasing trust in policy and institutions. This study’s methodology may be replicated to improve understanding of BOs and their contribution to policymaking in other contexts.

Research on the Development of Methods for Detection of Substandard and Falsified Medicines by Clarifying Their Pharmaceutical Characteristics Using Modern Technology.

The existence of substandard and falsified medicines threatens people's health and causes economic losses as well as a loss of trust in medicines. As the distribution of pharmaceuticals becomes more globalized and the spread of substandard and falsified medicines continues worldwide, pharmaceutical security measures must be strengthened. To eradicate substandard and falsified medicines, our group is conducting fact-finding investigations of medicines distributed in lower middle-income countries (LMICs) and on the Internet. From the perspective of pharmaceutics, such as physical assessment of medicines, we are working to clarify the actual situation and develop methods to detect substandard and falsified medicines. We have collected substandard and falsified medicines distributed in LMICs and on the Internet and performed pharmacopoeial tests, mainly using HPLC, which is a basic analytic method. In addition to quality evaluation, we have evaluated the applicability of various analytic methods, including observation of pharmaceuticals using an electron microscope, Raman scattering analysis, near-IR spectroscopic analysis, chemical imaging, and X-ray computed tomography (CT) to detect substandard and falsified medicines, and we have clarified their limitations. We also developed a small-scale quality screening method using statistical techniques. We are engaged in the development of methods to monitor the distribution of illegal medicines and evolve research in forensic and policy science. These efforts will contribute to the eradication of substandard and falsified medicines. Herein, I describe our experience in the development of detection methods and elucidation of the pharmaceutical status of substandard and falsified medicines using novel technologies.

Why We Should Reexamine the "Golden Age" of Antibiotics in Social Context.

Economics is the primary discipline used to understand supply chain design, scale-up, and management. For example, antibiotics can be compared to other forms of "tragedy of the commons," whereby a common good (effective treatment of infections) is jeopardized by individual consumption and lack of community oversight and stewardship. While economic analysis can explain innovation decline in terms of market failure, one pitfall of an early-stage focus on research and development is a failure to challenge the discovery narrative. Ethics also has a distinct place in helping us envision alternatives to what markets can produce. This article advances a more contextualized view of how science and technology policy has shaped antibiotic supply chains over many years, emphasizing how shifting the story we tell about past successes is central to securing a reliable antibiotic supply chain in the future.

An assessment of nanotechnology-based interventions for cleaning up toxic heavy metal/metalloid-contaminated agroecosystems: Potentials and Issues

Heavy metals (HMs) are among the most dangerous environmental variables for a variety of life forms, including crops. Accumulation of HMs in consumables and their subsequent transmission to the food web are serious concerns for scientific communities and policy makers. The function of essential plant cellular macromolecules is substantially hampered by HMs, which eventually have a detrimental effect on agricultural yield. Among these HMs, three were considered, i.e., arsenic, cadmium, and chromium, in this review, from agro-ecosystem perspective. Compared with conventional plant growth regulators, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) is a relatively recent, successful, and promising method among the many methods employed to address or alleviate the toxicity of HMs. The ability of NPs to reduce HM mobility in soil, reduce HM availability, enhance the ability of the apoplastic barrier to prevent HM translocation inside the plant, strengthen the plant's antioxidant system by significantly enhancing the activities of many enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants, and increase the generation of specialized metabolites together support the effectiveness of NPs as stress relievers. In this review article, to assess the efficacy of various NP types in ameliorating HM toxicity in plants, we adopted a ‘fusion approach’, in which a machine learning-based analysis was used to systematically highlight current research trends based on which an extensive literature survey is planned. A holistic assessment of HMs and NMs was subsequently carried out to highlight the future course of action(s).

Supporting the COVID Response with Solutions from Science

January 2023 marks the 36th month following the World Health Organization’s declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern. Recent and upcoming events show how far the Philippines has come in terms of its response: emerging from what has been referred to as the world’s longest lockdown1, crowds converging in public spacesand participating in mass gatherings demonstrate how people are adapting to COVID-19 as a reality of daily life. The journey to this milestone has not been simple nor straightforward. In addition to the thousands of health care workers who provide frontline services, a multi-disciplinary group of scientists continues to work tirelessly in the background, dedicating their efforts to gain a better understanding of COVID, particularly in the Philippine context. For example:1. The Philippines has contributed over 12,000 sequences to the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) platform.2 This resource provides open access to genomic data on coronavirus and allows real-time surveillance to monitor the emergence of new COVID-19 variants globally.2. The FASSSTER (Feasibility Analysis of Syndromic Surveillance Using Spatio-Temporal Epidemiological Modeler) team of computer and data scientists, mathematical and economics modelers, public health and epidemiological experts provides scenario-based projections for COVID-19 using a disease surveillance and modeling platform.3The platform outputs guide decision making by national and local government agencies for interventions such as community quarantines, granular lockdowns, and vaccination targets.3. The Department of Science and Technology is supporting more than 60 projects and studies through its ARCHER (Addressing and Responding to COVID-19 Through Health Research) program. Aside from the usual focus on diagnosis, treatment and prevention, work is also being done on a broad range of topics, such as AI/ICT-driven prediction models and COVID behavior studies.4 Even as scientists struggled to provide information and technology solutions to guide a rational response, governments followed their advice to varying degrees, sometimes resulting in confusing messages. The pandemic has truly highlighted the “synergies as well as the tensions between science and policy.”5Yin and colleagues explored the connection between science and policy in their 2021 paper published in Science. Matching the scientific references in policy documents obtained from a large-scale database with another publication and citation database provided the team with a “distinct opportunity to examine the role of science in the global policy responseto COVID-19.” They found that policy documents in the COVID-19 pandemic substantially access recent, peer-reviewed, and highimpact science. However, national policy approaches have varied greatly, with some countries being actively antagonistic to scientific advice.6 In a perfect world, science and government should work closely together to formulate evidence-based policy. Bicchieri et al. found the largest gaps between trust in science and trust in government in Colombia and Mexico; in contrast, the smallest were in Germany and South Korea, where policy and science were more aligned. They note that “country-level trust in science, and not in government, becomes a strong predictor of compliance.”7 According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the pandemic response requires a more collaborative relationship between scientists and policymakers. Their recommendations include strengthened use of science in policy, ensuring “open science,” universal access to solutions, and a faster response to scientific findings. Of note, the need for building public trust in science is also emphasized.8 For science to be able to provide solutions to support the COVID response, it must communicate, and it must be heard.

인공지능과 인권

Human rights and artificial intelligence are two important concepts that interact with each other in today's rapidly developing digital age. How will artificial intelligence technology affect human rights that are spreading throughout people's lives? This question has become an increasing focus of attention. Artificial intelligence is the field that enables computer systems to simulate human-like thinking and decision-making capabilities. However, some of the problems that arise from artificial intelligence may have a direct impact on human rights. The interaction between human rights and artificial intelligence is a complex problem. While artificial intelligence technology has the potential to harm people and human rights, it also has great potential to be used to protect and promote human rights. Therefore, artificial intelligence technology must be developed and used while observing human rights through an approach supported by an ethical and legal framework. In this paper, after reviewing human rights issues such as artificial intelligence and freedom of expression, artificial intelligence and freedom of privacy, artificial intelligence and bias, hate, discrimination, artificial intelligence and defamation, artificial intelligence and copyright, we will discuss the issue of legal response to artificial intelligence. Regarding the relationship between the state and science and technology, the Constitution stipulates that “the state shall endeavor to develop the national economy through innovation of science and technology and the development of information and manpower (Article 127), and the rights of authors, inventors, and scientists are protected by law (Article 22).” It declares that the state will actively plan and form for the promotion of science and technology and lead in a certain direction. In relation to these constitutional provisions, the establishment and implementation of science and technology policies can be seen as an important duty given to the Republic of Korea as a democratic welfare state. It can be said that the main legislative duty is to achieve a balance between the value of promoting the development and utilization of artificial intelligence systems and the appropriate response to the risks that artificial intelligence can pose. To achieve a balance between artificial intelligence and human rights, it is necessary to comply with ethical values, use transparent and responsible systems, update legal regulations, and adopt an approach that guarantees stakeholder participation. By doing so, we will be able to build a future where human rights are protected while taking advantage of the potential benefits of artificial intelligence.

Considerations for science and technology policies in the context of Amazon sustainability

Considerations for science and technology policies in the context of Amazon sustainability

Towards higher standardization of funding acknowledgements in scientific publications: Current status in the case of a national and a European research fellowship scheme

Abstract Acknowledgement of funding sources in scientific publications is becoming mandatory in science. As funders' instructions are often vague, there is great variability in the way authors acknowledge funding, this hindering the linking of grants to their subsequent publications. The aim of this study is to analyse how funding is acknowledged in scientific publications in two important research fellowship schemes: the Spanish Ramón y Cajal programme (RyC) and the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Actions (MSCA). WoS publications in 2017 by Spain-based researchers that include funding acknowledgements from either of the two programmes are identified. Firstly, compliance with funders’ recommendations in terms of the elements included in acknowledgements is analysed. Secondly, the degree of comprehensiveness in the authors’ description of the grants is studied by focusing on how often different items are reported (funding agency, programme, grant number, grantee, year of the call, etc). Thirdly, the use of normalized structured notations in acknowledgements is examined. Around 78% of RyC vs. 84% of MSCA grants comply with funders’ recommendations regarding the elements to be included in the acknowledgements. A comprehensive description of grants is unusual in both programmes. Structured notations are included in two-thirds of RyC vs. one-third of MSCA grants. Advantages of using structured notations are highlighted, since they provide unique identification of grants, improve the comprehensiveness and normalization of funding data, facilitate automatic data processing and could be compatible with global grant identifiers. Further standardization of funding data in acknowledgements is needed to optimize their use in science policy studies.

Evolving Attitudes of Science Graduate Students Toward Science Policy and Communication

Widespread changes in the exchange and politicization of science have made it imperative for scientists to be prepared to engage in science communication and science policy. Separately, science graduate students express interest in a more diverse array of career trajectories beyond the traditional academic research path. These forces together inspire changes to graduate education to develop critical science communication and policy skills. However, universities remain focused on training students in primarily academic research skills. This case study measured changes to beliefs about and participation in science communication and policy among science graduate students over three years to better understand the evolution of interest in these practices. Importantly, not only did students report a significantly increased interest in and belief in the importance of science communication and policy, but also these increases were observed regardless of their initial beliefs. Graduate students also provided qualitative feedback about the reasons behind these changes and perceived barriers to participating in science communication and policy. These data help to both motivate universal changes to graduate education to include science communication and policy and to inform stakeholders on how these changes can be optimally designed to address barriers and interests. Finally, corresponding policy changes are recommended to departments, universities, scientific societies, and other stakeholders to enact effective change to graduate training.

Multi-scenario simulation and evaluation of the impacts of land use change on ecosystem service values in the Chishui River Basin of Guizhou Province, China

Changes in land-use patterns are the main driving factors of ecosystem service values (ESVs). The quantitative evaluation of ESVs is significant for the sustainable development of ecologically fragile areas. In this study, the Chishui River Basin (CRB) in China was selected as the study region, and an intensity map (IM) was used to analyze the transformation of land use/land cover (LULC). The modified equivalent coefficient value method was used to evaluate the ESVs based on the 2000, 2010, and 2020 land use datasets. The spatial and temporal distributions of ESV and its response to changes in LULC were analyzed using the Getis-Ord Gi* statistical method and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis. Moreover, spatial and temporal changes in LULC and ESV over the next 30 years in the four development scenarios were simulated using the Markov-PLUS model. The following results were obtained: 1) The farmland and forestland were the dominant LULC categories, and that the LULC pattern dramatically changed in the study area; 2) the total ESV of the CRB decreased significantly from 23.21 billion yuan in 2000 to 22.29 billion yuan in 2020; and 3) the ecological conservation scenario significantly promoted the total ESV, and the town development scenario was more conducive to the urbanization process. Therefore, although the ESV of the CRB showed a decreasing to slowly increasing trend in the context of a series of ecological restoration measures, scientific ecological protection and development policies must be continuously implemented to achieve harmony between ecological service improvement and urbanization development. Our results provide important information for making land-use decisions and facilitating sustainable development in ecologically protected basins.

Wildfire risk and insurance: research directions for policy scientists

Wildfire risk and insurance: research directions for policy scientists

Navigating the path to dual carbon goals: Understanding the driving forces of energy transition welfare performance

China's double carbon target aims to improve human well-being and sustainable development. Energy transformation welfare performance (ETWP) is the efficiency of energy transition (ET) in enhancing human well-being. ETWP considers both human well-being and sustainable development. Research on its driving force is helpful in achieving the double carbon goal. Thus, this paper used Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index Model, Fixed Panel Regression Model and Grey Relational Analysis Model to analyze China's ETWP from 2006 to 2022 and predicted ETWP of 31 provinces from 2023 to 2030. The results showed that: (1) ETWP had two rising periods in 2006–2014 and 2015–2022. (2) The government's rationalization policy on energy and environment and technological innovation ability were fundamental driving forces for improving ETWP. (3) There were obvious spatial and temporal distinctions in ETWP, and it would bring out different degrees in most areas. Thus, ET should be promoted by improving the ecological environment and resource utilization efficiency; The importance of the role of scientific and technological innovation and policies should be focused on in promoting ETWP; ET policies based on local developments should be formulated and the energy structure should be changed.