Vanessa Spedding is the Shorts editor

Pesticide concerns

A report from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution has called for more research into the possible links between pesticides and human health. In Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders the authors call for a precautionary approach to the use of pesticides and for better arrangements for monitoring human health and informing those affected.

Terror checks for research

The Wellcome Trust the Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council have published a joint policy statement on reducing the risk that any of the research they fund is misused for harmful purposes. A series of changes will be made by each organisation, including alterations to funding application forms and new guidance for funding committees.

Promise of dialogue

The government has published its response to the Council for
Science and Technology's report Policy Through Dialogue, agreeing to introduce changes in culture throughout government so that engaging with the public is seen as a normal part of the policy development process.

Why aren’t scientists talking?

The Royal Society is undertaking a study of the potential barriers that may discourage research scientists from taking part in science communication activities. The first phase of the study will see an email questionnaire going to around 4500 science researchers across the UK.

Foreign students aid at-risk subjects

Universities UK has highlighted the support provided to 'vulnerable' subjects by international students. Its report, Patterns of Higher Education Institutions in the UK, shows total income from international sources at just over £1.5 billion. The organisation is concerned that recent changes to the visa regime for international students is making it more difficult for them to enter the country. It has called on the government to make the UK more attractive as a study destination.

Reed Elsevier called to arms

Reed Elsevier has responded to a letter to the Lancet in which scientists, medics and other groups asked the journal's advisory board to ‘respectfully ask Reed Elsevier to divest itself of all business interests that threaten human, and especially civilian, health and well-being’ in response to concern with its involvement with the arms trade. The publisher responded by saying that much of the equipment displayed at its DSEi arms fair is designed for life-saving activities and that ‘the defence industry is necessary for upholding national security’.

Europe’s views on science

The latest Eurobarometer surveys on European public perceptions of science and technology have revealed a ‘positive and optimistic perception of what science and technology can do for humanity,’ according to the European Commission. The data were drawn from two surveys interviewing 32,000 people across 32 countries.

Changing global science

ICSU, the International Council for Science, has published its Strategic Review for 2005. Science and Society: Rights and responsibilities pinpoints key areas in which changes in the practice of science affect the international science community – particularly regarding the growing challenge of maintaining scientific integrity and responsibility. The report proposes a new international initiative in science and society.