Science & Technology

249 Items

colorful wooden game pieces clustered together

MetsikGarden/Pixabay

Analysis & Opinions - The Conversation

Re-imagining Democracy for the 21st Century, Possibly Without the Trappings of the 18th Century

| Aug. 07, 2023

The modern representative democracy was the best form of government that mid-18th-century technology could conceive of. The 21st century is a different place scientifically, technically and socially. Should we rethink the ways we govern ourselves?

Report

Tech and Public Policy to Save the Brain

    Authors:
  • Priyamvada Saraf
  • Mathew Alexander
  • Sohaib Nasim
  • Hardy Ding
| May 03, 2023

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) represent a global health emergency, affecting millions of individuals and imposing significant economic burdens. Despite increased funding and government initiatives, effective therapies remain elusive, and NDD research lags behind other fields. This report argues for a simplified, accelerated, and transparent unified approach to NDD research, building on lessons from other fields and industries.

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Blog Post - perspectives-on-public-purpose

Basic Science Research as the Pillar for NDD Drug Development

| Mar. 24, 2023

In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) in the United States, affecting approximately 10.5 million individuals. This number is predicted to triple in the next 30 years.1 However, in comparison to other disease areas such as oncology, the approval of NDD drugs has been relatively limited. Our team has explored the NDD drug development ecosystem from three perspectives: stakeholders, funding, and policy. This article summarizes our key findings and presents a case study to suggest that the scarcity of new drug development may be attributable to insufficient basic scientific research. Finally, we outline our objectives for the upcoming semester.

Maryland voters at voting booth

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Analysis & Opinions - PBS NEWSHOUR

Security Expert Bruce Schneier Warns of AI Tools’ Potential Threat to Democracy

| Feb. 04, 2023

Artificial intelligence has the potential to dramatically alter how we gather information, communicate and work. Experts are also raising questions about how it will affect governance and what it will mean for the future of our democracy. Bruce Schneier, a fellow at the Belfer Center, joins PBS' William Brangham to discuss.