Update. I still don't know the full story behind the takedown of the #NelsonMemo. But here's a clue. The Dept of Defense (#DOD) continued rolling its memo-based #OpenAccess policy *after* Trump took office and *after* the memo was taken down.
https://fediscience.org/@petersuber/113964410103345053

That's a sign that agencies have not been told to stop rolling out their memo-based policy upgrades. But of course that may change.

Also note that memo is preserved in the #NationalArchives, for now, not just in the Wayback Machine.
https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/08-2022-OSTP-Public-Access-Memo.pdf

(Yes, I'm aware that Trump fired Colleen Shogan, the Biden-era National Archivist.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/us/politics/trump-fires-the-nations-archivist-in-latest-round-of-personnel-purge.html

#USPol #USPolitics

petersuber (@petersuber@fediscience.org)

Update. The Dept of Defense (#DOD) just released the implementation plan for its upgraded #OpenAccess policy under the Biden-era #OSTP #NelsonMemo. https://discover.dtic.mil/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DoD_PublicAccessPlan_Dec_2024.pdf This is the first fed agency action of its kind since #Trump took office. Note that, so far, this work has not stopped or changed.

FediScience.org

Update. "In the initial days of the #Trump administration, officials scoured federal websites for any mention of what they deemed #DEI keywords — terms as generic as “diverse” and “historically” and even “women.” They soon identified reams of some of the country’s most valuable public health data containing some of the targeted words, including language about LGBTQ+ people, and quickly took down much of it — from surveys on obesity and suicide rates to real-time reports on immediate infectious disease threats like bird flu."
https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/399319/trump-cdc-health-data-removed-obesity-suicide

#Censorship #Medicine #Takedowns #USPol #USPolitics

Trump’s shocking purge of public health data, explained

Trump and Elon Musk have said they want to get rid of DEI. But their purge has swept up data on obesity and suicide rates plus teen smoking and sexual behavior.

Vox

Update. "The White House has designated Mr. #Musk’s office, United States #DOGE Service, as an entity insulated from public records requests."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/politics/trump-musk-doge-foia-public-records.html

In Nov 2024 before Musk joined the #Trump government, he wrote on X / Twitter: "There should be no need for FOIA requests. All government data should be default public for maximum transparency."
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1853079605596340235

#FOIA #Secrecy #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Trump’s Declaration Allows Musk’s Efficiency Team to Skirt Open Records Laws

Government watchdog groups say they will challenge the Trump administration’s decision to put the initiative under the Presidential Records Act, which shields its work from public disclosure.

The New York Times

Update. "Court Orders #CDC, #FDA to Restore Scrubbed Webpages, Data"
https://www.medpagetoday.com/washington-watch/washington-watch/114177

"A federal judge on Tuesday ordered government agencies to restore public access to health-related webpages and datasets that they removed to comply with an executive order by President #Trump…The scrubbed material includes reports on HIV prevention, a CDC webpage for providing clinicians with guidance on reproductive healthcare, and an FDA study on 'sex differences in the clinical evaluation of medical products.'"

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Litigation #Medicine #Takedowns #USPol #USPolitics

Court Orders CDC, FDA to Restore Scrubbed Webpages, Data

Judge agreed to temporary restraining order requested by the Doctors for America advocacy group

Update. From @hildabast: "What if We Can’t Rely on PubMed?"
https://absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/02/14/what-if-we-cant-rely-on-pubmed/

"#PubMed is incredibly reliable…That said, between the risks of an exodus of key personnel, understaffing, or goodness-knows-what vandalism when a goon squad arrives at NIH, it’s not paranoid any more to think ahead to the once-unthinkable. What would PubMed enshittification look like? Could PubMed go down more often, and for longer? Might services no longer be free? How else could the #quality and #reliability of its services be degraded?"

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Medicine #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

What if We Can't Rely on PubMed? - Absolutely Maybe

PubMed is incredibly reliable. And a lot depends on it. It’s an ecosystem built around MEDLINE, the steady feed of new publications…

Absolutely Maybe

Update. From #HaroldVarmus, "I Used to Run the #NIH. Here’s What Worries Me."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/opinion/trump-public-health-funding-nih.html

"I’ve spent over five decades as a scientist in academia and the federal government, including as director of the NIH. Never before have I seen my profession so politicized as it is now under the #Trump administration…For baffling reasons, the executive branch is now waging war on America’s scientific enterprise. This assault includes nominating leaders hostile to science and unqualified for their roles; issuing a barrage of executive orders that disrupt research by restricting meetings, publications, travel and grant making; censoring ideas and even certain words from scientific discourse; and trying to withhold billions of dollars from universities and other research institutions that help pay the costs of research."

PS: In addition to being a former NIH director, Varmus is a Nobel laureate (1989 Medicine) and co-founder of @PLOS.

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Medicine #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Opinion | American Science is Under Attack

The Trump administration hobbles research and endangers the public health.

The New York Times

Update. "The Trump Administration Is Targeting Science. The Scientific Integrity Act Could Help Protect It."
https://blog.ucsusa.org/kellickson/the-trump-administration-is-targeting-science-the-scientific-integrity-act-could-help-protect-it/

"The Scientific Integrity Act (#SI Act) is a bipartisan bill re-introduced on February 6th in the US House of Representatives… [It] would include language prohibiting scientific or research misconduct; preventing intimidation or attempted coercion to alter or censor scientific or technical findings; and allowing public dissemination of scientific and technical findings…It would ensure that scientific conclusions are not made based on political considerations but based on the best available science."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Legislation #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

The Trump Administration Is Targeting Science. The Scientific Integrity Act Could Help Protect It

The first few weeks of the Trump administration has seen a flurry of far-reaching executive orders and other actions that threaten, among other things, the ability of federal agencies to pursue science and share that science with the public. These dangerous and in some circumstances, potentially unc

The Equation

Update. "The #Trump administration and Elon #Musk are reportedly taking aim at #NOAA, the agency responsible for the National Weather Service and many other crucial functions."
https://www.fastcompany.com/91274927/trump-wants-to-dismantle-the-agency-that-provides-weather-forecasts-it-will-make-your-life-worse

"#Project2025 specifically noted NOAA as a target, as well. The Heritage Foundation’s 900-page right-wing playbook called the agency “one of the main drivers of the #climate change alarm industry” and recommended it be “dismantled and many of its functions eliminated” and instead #privatized. It’s not clear what that would look like, though experts have said it isn’t a good idea—and that private weather companies wouldn’t even want that change because they’d have to bear the cost of collecting weather data that’s currently given to them for free."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #OpenData #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Trump wants to dismantle the agency that provides weather forecasts. It will make your life worse

The Trump administration and Elon Musk are reportedly taking aim at NOAA, the agency responsible for the National Weather Service and many other crucial functions.

Fast Company

Update. "Science at Risk: Protect #NOAA"
https://secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-protect-noaa-science-aaas

I just signed this open letter from @ucsusa and hope you will too.

"Scientists and other experts: Add your name to this open letter calling on Congress and the #Trump administration to ensure that NOAA and its sub-agencies remain fully funded and staffed, and that the independent, trusted science the agency produces is protected."

#Climate #DefendResearch #OpenData #Takedowns #USPol #USPolitics

Science at Risk: Protect NOAA

Scientists and other experts: Add your name to this open letter calling on Congress and the Trump administration to ensure that NOAA and its sub-agencies remain fully funded and staffed, and that the independent, trusted science the agency produces is protected.

Union of Concerned Scientists

Update. "Join the Organizing Team for Your Local Stand Up For Science Rally!"
https://airtable.com/app4h5wUssMGXxiaX/shrxZ4tAY6LYldCNg

#DefendResearch #USPol #USPolitics

Airtable | Everyone's app platform

Airtable is a low-code platform for building collaborative apps. Customize your workflow, collaborate, and achieve ambitious outcomes. Get started for free.

Airtable

Update. I applaud this open letter from 48 US scientific societies to US researchers, educators, and academics.
https://unitedsciencealliance.org/

"Today, science is under threat…We need scientific research to support the health and safety of people and our planet. We need policy decisions that are grounded in research and data…We will champion scientific integrity, including academic freedom, the inclusion of diverse perspectives, and policies grounded in scientific evidence…Scientific truths are nonpartisan. It has never been more important to recommit to scientific knowledge, and to ensure you have access to data, are free from censorship, and are able to do your valuable work."

#Academia #Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics
@academicchatter

Letter

Update. "This position is a response to concerns raised regarding prohibition of specific terminology, and restrictions on researchers’ activities and collaborations. #COPE [Committee on Publication Ethics] considers that authors and editors are best placed to determine the appropriate language to be used in their respective fields, to ensure that research is communicated appropriately…COPE supports the World Association of Medical Editors (#WAME)’s statement that editorial decisions must remain unaffected by the authors’ nationality, ethnicity, political beliefs, race, or religion. Publication choices should not be swayed by external governmental policies, unless compliance with applicable laws is at stake.”
https://publicationethics.org/guidance/cope-position/banned-terms-scholarly-publications-and-restrictions-researchers-activities

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Update. The Union of Concerned Scientists (#UCS, @ucsusa) just released this open letter to Congress. I signed and hope you will too.
https://secure.ucsusa.org/a/2024-save-science-save-lives

"I am asking you to defend the science and scientists that keep Americans safe. The Trump administration's current agenda is eviscerating the protections that Americans count on and support: clean air and water; safe food and medicine; products that won't harm us; and protection from extreme weather and other damaging effects of climate change…Protecting rigorous and independent science is a common-sense, nonpartisan goal."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Save Science, Save Lives

Please join science supporters, scientists, and experts in signing an open letter asking Congress to stand up against attempts to politicize or eliminate scientific roles, agencies, and federal research that protect our health, environment, and our communities.

Union of Concerned Scientists

Update. Kathleen Bachynski and Martin McKee argue that #Trump cuts to medical research and ongoing clinical trials violate the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki on Research Ethics and the 1979 Belmont Report on Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research.
https://www.bmj.com/content/388/bmj.r289

#DefendResearch #Ethics #Medicine #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Update. "Join academic workers across the country in fighting restrictions on research - Feb. 19th Rally."
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe53wTzsA1T6b6-QxZtt20Yq1k2IX23YnDgKCli4mcTMRwYLA/viewform

"For the last three weeks, we have seen unprecedented attacks on science that have severely impacted our day-to-day work as scientists, researchers, and clinicians - funding that sustains critical scientific research to improve human health has been dramatically cut, research is being censored, and scientists are losing their jobs…The work we do is a public good and essential for the health of each and every American, now and in the future. We must fight to save science so we can continue doing the work that keeps Americans healthy."

h/t @ClimateJenny

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Join academic workers across the country in fighting restrictions on research - Feb. 19th Rally

Why? For the last three weeks, we have seen unprecedented attacks on science that have severely impacted our day-to-day work as scientists, researchers, and clinicians - funding that sustains critical scientific research to improve human health has been dramatically cut, research is being censored, and scientists are losing their jobs. Every day our research is restricted and censored, we lose years on potential treatments and cures for Alzheimer’s Disease, Diabetes, and Cancer for the American people. Every job that is lost, we lose the next scientist that could cure Cancer. Every dollar of science funding that is cut, we lose competitiveness as a scientific world power. The work we do is a public good and essential for the health of each and every American, now and in the future. We must fight to save science so we can continue doing the work that keeps Americans healthy. What? We are joining academic unions across the country in a National Day of Action. We will rally in defense of science, medicine, and public health in DC. We are demanding the administration stop the attack on science, medicine, and public health research by rescinding the cuts and restrictions. Who? Scientists, Researchers, Clinicians, Academics, and Allies in the DMV area Where? HHS Building 200 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC When? 12PM EST February 19th

Google Docs

Update. @juddlegum and #RebeccaCrosby provide more evidence that the #Trump team is taking down valuable govt pages — this time #OSHA pages on workplace safety — that use #DEI language in ways that have nothing to do with the kind of DEI Trumpists oppose.
https://popular.info/p/in-botched-dei-purge-osha-trashes

For example, they're taking down pages that refer to "diversity of state-specific…regulatory requirements" and "diverse conditions under which EMS responders could work."

PS: It's no accident that this might remind you of the brainless firing of US nuclear security staffers, which Trumpists are still trying to reverse. Autopilot ransacking.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/us/politics/trump-national-nuclear-security-administration-employees-firings.html

#BrainlessKeywordSearching #Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

In botched DEI purge, OSHA trashes workplace safety guidelines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered the digital and physical destruction of 18 publications on workplace safety practices, according to an internal February 7 email obtained by Popular Information.

Popular Information

Update. US space scientists have written an open letter to #NASA and #Congress.
https://sites.google.com/view/space-science-for-everyone

"Almost all of our work as space scientists is funded by U.S. taxpayers, and we have a responsibility to oppose actions that limit the reach of our work to the public… Following NASA’s request, all AG [Analysis/Assessment Group] websites and the important, labor-intensive study reports, science goals documents, and other resources hosted on those websites are indefinitely unavailable to the communities who did this work and to the general public…We ask that all those in decision-making positions unequivocally condemn and act to reverse recent attacks on scientific integrity, federal grant funding for scientific research, and initiatives that broaden public participation in science."

PS: Also see the list of similar letters growing the left sidebar.

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Home

Space Science is for Everyone: An Open Letter Written February 6, 2025

Update. From @alicejmeadows: "Declaration To #DefendResearch Against US Government Censorship"
https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/02/19/declaration-to-defendresearch-against-us-government-censorship/

"Much of the resistance to the Trump administration’s efforts to censor research and researchers is happening at the grassroots level, including this Declaration To Defend Research Against US Government Censorship, instigated by Lisa Schiff, together with Catherine Mitchell, Sara Rouhi, Peter Suber, and myself [Alice Meadows]. Like many of those who are protesting against these growing threats to research, we are acting in a personal capacity, rather than on behalf of our organizations. As members of the scholarly communication community, we believe that researchers must be freely able to conduct, collaborate on, share, review, and discuss their research…I very much hope that you’ll join the 1,000 plus who have already signed."

#Censorship #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Declaration To #DefendResearch Against US Government Censorship - The Scholarly Kitchen

In response to US government efforts to censor research and researchers, a small group of scholarly communications professionals have launched a Declaration to defend research. Learn more in today's post by Alice Meadows, one of the members of this group.

The Scholarly Kitchen

Update. From @mayank_mchugh and @JACoates at @force11: "Science is Under Siege: The Open Science Community Must Act and Lead by Example"
https://upstream.force11.org/open-science-call-to-act/

"The new US administration has thrown the entire academy into chaos, threatening global health. This article is a call for the #OpenScience community to practice what it preaches and lead by example in defending science…The only viable line of defence against such rapid and intense attacks is transparency and a heightened rigour. And it is here that the open science community has a unique and essential role in this very moment."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Science is Under Siege: The Open Science Community Must Act and Lead by Example

Worldwide, science is under attack by anti-scientific movements. The new US administration has thrown the entire academy into chaos, threatening global health. This article is a call for the open science community to practice what it preaches and lead by example in defending science.

Upstream

Update. "Defend Scientific Freedom and Integrity Against Political Suppression."
https://www.change.org/p/defend-scientific-freedom-and-integrity-against-political-suppression

I just signed this petition and hope you will too.

"We call on governments, funding bodies, academic institutions, and international organizations to:
1. Protect Scientific Freedom: Ensure that research funding decisions are made based on scientific merit, not political ideology.
2. Stop Censorship in Public Health and Environmental Science: Allow government scientists to communicate freely with the public and publish research without political interference.
3. Preserve Open Access to Data: Governments must not delete, withhold, or manipulate scientific data that serves the public good...."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Sign the Petition

Defend Scientific Freedom and Integrity Against Political Suppression

Change.org

Update. Special thanks to the Association of University Presses (#AUPresses, @aupresses). It not only signed the Feb 13 Declaration to #DefendResearch, it posted an announcement to spread the word.
https://aupresses.org/news/aupresses-supports-anti-censorship-declaration/

#Censorship #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

AUPresses Supports Anti-Censorship Declaration - Association of University Presses

AUPresses joins with individual and institutional members of the scholarly communications community to assert that researchers must be freely able to conduct, collaborate on, share, review, and discuss their research.

Association of University Presses

Update. Although the #Trump admin is firing scientists, "some science leaders argued [that it's] not specifically targeting research. 'Science seems to be collateral damage to these [downsizing] efforts that are almost random, by date of hire or date of promotion,' says Sudip Parikh, CEO of #AAAS…'It’s not strategic. It’s not based on the needs of the future, the needs of science.'"

PS: My take: Some of the destruction targets research he opposes for political reasons, like #climate research. But much of the rest is semi-random pillaging to show numbers (positions cut, dollars saved). This is evident from the growing number of firings, in a growing number of departments, that Trump and #Musk later try to rescind.

#DefendResearch #USPol #USPolitics

Update. "Journalism organizations call for restoration of public data."
https://www.nasw.org/article/journalism-organizations-call-restoration-public-data

"Leaders of five #journalism organizations, including the National Association of Science Writers and representing more than 7,000 members in the United States and abroad, sent the following letter to the heads of eight U.S. federal agencies that have recently removed public datasets and databases funded by Americans’ tax dollars."

#Censorship #Data #DefendResearch #OpenData #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Journalism organizations call for restoration of public data

Leaders of five journalism organizations, including the National Association of Science Writers and representing more than 7,000 members in the United States and abroad, sent the following letter to the heads of eight U.S. federal agencies that have recently removed public datasets and databases funded by Americans’ tax dollars.

Update. "Outcry as Trump withdraws support for research that mentions ‘climate’ "
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/21/trump-scientific-research-climate

"The #Trump administration is stripping away support for scientific research in the US and overseas that contains a word it finds particularly inconvenient: “climate”…Trump, who has said that the climate crisis is a “giant hoax”, has already stripped mentions of climate change and global heating from government websites."

#Censorship #Climate #DefendResearch #Takedowns #USPol #USPolitics

Outcry as Trump withdraws support for research that mentions ‘climate’

US government stripping funds from domestic and overseas research amid warnings for health and public safety

The Guardian

Update. "PLOS [@PLOS] statement on recent US Executive Orders and scientific integrity"
https://theplosblog.plos.org/2025/02/plos-statement-on-recent-us-executive-orders-and-scientific-integrity/

"We are deeply concerned about a range of recent US Executive Orders that collectively have the potential to dismantle the US scientific enterprise as it has existed for the past 70 years…We will not approve changes to terminology or removal of data that compromise the scientific accuracy of content. Requests to remove legitimate authors from manuscripts violate our authorship policies which are grounded in principles of credit, accountability and transparency…We are actively working to understand the evolving implications of these directives and the disruption they have brought…We remain dedicated to the advancement of #OpenScience."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #PLOS #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

PLOS statement on recent US Executive Orders and scientific integrity - The Official PLOS Blog

Since its founding over twenty five years ago PLOS has been dedicated to advancing open science, ensuring that knowledge is accessible to…

The Official PLOS Blog

Update. From @neuralreckoning: "Science must step away from nationally managed infrastructure"
https://www.thetransmitter.org/policy/science-must-step-away-from-nationally-managed-infrastructure/

"Scientific data and independence are at risk. We need to work with community-driven services and university libraries to create new multi-country organizations that are resilient to political interference."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #OpenInfrastructure #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Science must step away from nationally managed infrastructure

Scientific data and independence are at risk. We need to work with community-driven services and university libraries to create new multi-country organizations that are resilient to political interference.

The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives

Update. From @karenhao: "The foundations of America’s prosperity are being dismantled"
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/21/1112274/the-foundations-of-americas-prosperity-are-being-dismantled/

"[Scientists] warn that dismantling the behind-the-scenes scientific research programs that backstop American life could lead to long-lasting, perhaps irreparable damage to everything from the quality of health care to the public’s access to next-generation consumer technologies. The US took nearly a century to craft its rich scientific ecosystem; if the unraveling that has taken place over the past month continues, Americans will feel the effects for decades to come."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

The foundations of America’s prosperity are being dismantled

Federal scientists warn that Americans could feel the effects of the new administration's devastating cuts for decades to come.

MIT Technology Review

Update. An editorial in #JAMA and the #JAMANetwork.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2830748?guestAccessKey=47e4b56b-8f69-4ff3-a26e-3a66a88b2c67&linkId=753250407

"Some authors of scientific works in process have had to remove their names from publications for these publications to proceed; others have chosen to pause or withdraw their publications. While some of these actions are directly related to the executive order to #HHS employees to cease communications, many have been undertaken preemptively by authors who are not subject to the order but are presumably fearful of the challenges of communicating complex findings in this current environment. Some authors are engaging in anticipatory compliance by scrubbing from their manuscripts words they fear may be deemed, in the moment, politically unacceptable…We remain steadfast in our guidance to authors and readers across the JAMA Network journals and endorse and adhere to the standards set by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors [#ICMJE]…We will act flexibly, where appropriate, to ensure that censoring efforts will not silence the integrity of the scientific process or clear communication of scientific information important for health."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Medicine #ScholComm #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Update. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (#ICMJE) has updated its guidance in light of recent actions by the #Trump administration.
https://www.icmje.org/news-and-editorials/icmje_guidance_notice.html

"If authors request removal or addition of an author after manuscript submission or publication, journal editors should seek an explanation and signed statement of agreement for the requested change from all listed authors including the author to be removed or added…Corrections are warranted for errors of fact that should have been recognized at the time of publication. Matters of debate and evolving science and methods are not errors. Retraction of published work is generally reserved for errors serious enough to invalidate results and conclusions and/or when there is scientific misconduct.."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Medicine #ScholComm #Takedowns #USPol #USPolitics

ICMJE | News & Editorials

Update. "Why the European Journal of Public Health and EUPHA are opposing President Trump’s attack on the language of diversity"
https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurpub/ckaf018/8030478

"The news that the #Trump administration has ordered scientists at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to withdraw or retract articles containing terms such as “gender,” “transgender,” “LGBT,” or “transsexual” is as shocking as it is dangerous…Such censorship is not only an assault on scientific integrity but also a harbinger of the creeping authoritarianism that Europe has seen before, one that we must resist with all the force of history…First, we will not retract published articles due to political pressure. Retractions are reserved for fraud, major errors, or ethical breaches, not for the mere use of words that a government disapproves of. Second, we will continue to publish research that includes terms related to gender, sexuality, and reproductive health. Third, we will defend the rights of researchers to publish without fear of political persecution. Fourth, we will stand in solidarity with colleagues facing censorship. Suppression of knowledge anywhere is a threat to knowledge everywhere."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #DEI #Medicine #ScholComm #Takedowns #USPol #USPolitics

Update. "ALLEA Statement on Threats to Academic Freedom and International Research Collaboration in the United States"
https://allea.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ALLEA-Statement-on-Threats-to-Academic-Freedom.pdf

"The European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities expresses grave concern over the escalating threats to academic freedom, both in the United States and beyond. Recent developments regarding science and scholarship in the U.S., including executive orders freezing billions in federal research funding and censorship around topics such as climate change and gender, are forcing many U.S. science agencies and research organisations to abruptly suspend normal operations. Such censorship and political suppression of language, research topics, and methodologies—whether through funding restrictions, legislative control, or institutional interference—fundamentally compromise the integrity of scientific and scholarly endeavours not just in the U.S. but around the world due to the global nature of the research ecosystem."

#AcademicFreedom #ALLEA #Censorship #Collaboration #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Update. "Reflections on the Current Moment from SSP’s Board of Directors"
https://www.sspnet.org/community/news/statement-from-the-ssp-board-of-directors/

"The challenges stemming from a shifting U.S. political landscape, which threaten academic freedom, #DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) initiatives, the scholarly record, and federal research funding, are affecting the Society for Scholarly Publishing (#SSP) community in multiple ways: mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially…Since we were established in 1978, SSP has intentionally demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community. We actively infuse our work with equitable values, including providing leadership as a founding member of the Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Publishing (#C4DISC)."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #DEI #ScholComm #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Reflections on the Current Moment from SSP's Board of Directors

The recent months have been deeply unsettling for those of us who work in the global scholarly communications industry. 

SSP Society for Scholarly Publishing

Update. "Will medical publishers fight Trump’s war on 'woke'?"
https://www.thebookseller.com/comment/will-medical-publishers-fight-trumps-war-on-woke

"Although many medical journal #editors have made their position known, medical #publishers are, for now, conspicuously silent…The collective resolve of the medical publishing industry is being put to the test. This is an opportunity for the industry to affirm its commitment to safeguard the scholarly record from ideological distortion. #Censorship in health research affects us all. We share a responsibility to stand firm and decry Trump’s war on "gender ideology" as a full-scale assault on the scientific method."

#DefendResearch #Journals #Medicine #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Will medical publishers fight Trump’s war on 'woke'?

The collective resolve of the medical publishing industry is being put to the test.

The Bookseller

Update. Statement from #TheLancet in response to recent US executive orders
https://www.thelancet.com/editorial-policies#anchor10

"The Lancet Group will be making no changes to our editorial policies regarding withdrawal, authorship change, inclusive language, or retraction. Ahead of publication, the withdrawal of submitted papers and authorship changes will only generally be considered if the written agreement of all authors is received. The Lancet Group will continue to recommend the use of inclusive language, accepting authors’ ultimate choice of terminology when it is scientifically accurate and respectful, and will continue to encourage authors to follow the Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) reporting guidelines. Published papers will only be corrected or retracted when they contain factual errors or if scientific misconduct has taken place. These policies are in line with recently issued guidance from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors [#ICMJE]."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #DEI #Medicine #ScholComm #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Update. "Farmers Sue Over Deletion of Climate Data From Government Websites"
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/climate/agriculture-farmer-website-data-lawsuit.html

"Organic farmers and environmental groups sued the Agriculture Department on Monday over its scrubbing of references to #climate change from its website…That included websites containing data sets, interactive tools and funding information that farmers and researchers relied on for planning and adaptation projects, according to the lawsuit…Peter Lehner, a lawyer for #Earthjustice, said the pages being purged were crucial for farmers facing risks linked to climate change, including heat waves, droughts, floods, extreme weather and wildfires."

#Agriculture #Censorship #DefendResearch #Litigation #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Farmers Sue Over Deletion of Climate Data From Government Websites

The data, which disappeared from Agriculture Department sites in recent weeks, was useful to farmers for business planning, the lawsuit said.

The New York Times

Update. "On March 7, 2025, we [Stand Up For Science] rally [in Washington DC] to defend science as a public good…We call on policymakers, institutions, and the scientific community to uphold the integrity of science, protect its accessibility, and ensure its benefits serve all people. To achieve this, we seek the following policy actions.
1. Secure and Expand Scientific Funding…
2. End Censorship and Political Interference in Science…
3. Defend Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Science."
https://standupforscience2025.org/our-policy-goals/

#Censorship #DefendResearch #DEI #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Our Policy Goals

Download the Stand Up for Science Policy Goals in a printable format here: Download our Policy Goals On March 7, 2025, we rally to defend science as a public good and pillar of social, political, a…

STAND UP FOR SCIENCE

Update. "The National Archives is nonpartisan but has found itself targeted by Trump."
https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-archives-firings-layoffs-historical-recordkeeping-559027fdd2f634263bea7774a78d66fe

"The president didn’t give a public reason for firing archivist Colleen Shogan, but he has long held a grudge against the agency for notifying the Justice Department of his alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left office following his first term…A Trump-aligned archivist might also be less inclined to enforce the Presidential Records Act or ask questions if Trump leaves office with troves of classified documents, said Norm Eisen, executive chair of the State Democracy Defenders Fund."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #NARA #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

National Archives targeted by Trump with firings and layoffs

As President Donald Trump moves to overhaul the federal government with astonishing speed, he has wreaked havoc on one agency long known for its nonpartisanship and revered for its mission: the National Archives and Records Administration. The independent agency and its trove of historic records have been the subject of Hollywood films and the foundation of research and policy. The agency also holds responsibilities in processes crucial for democracy, from amending the Constitution to electing a president. Former employees of the agency now worry it’s becoming politicized. The Republican president abruptly fired the head archivist this month, and several senior staffers quit or retired soon after.

AP News

Update. "Will They Come for PubMed Next?"
https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/114383

"PubMed is the backbone of biomedical research in the U.S. That's not an exaggeration…However, there are reasons to be extremely concerned about its continued existence…There are [at least five] ways the administration could interfere with PubMed."

PS: Although the author mixes up #PubMed and #PubMedCentral, her concerns apply to both.

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Medicine #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Opinion | Will They Come for PubMed Next?

Here's what we lose if the administration takes away this invaluable resource

Update. "The Rise (and Fall?) of the National Science Foundation"
https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-national-science-foundation
(#paywalled)

"The #Trump administration’s assault on the #NSF represents precisely the kind of political interference [#VannevarBush] sought to prevent — one that threatens not only scientific progress but also the very foundation of academic freedom."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #USPol #USPolitics

Update. "Déclaration visant à défendre la recherche contre la censure du gouvernement américain"
https://www.redactionmedicale.fr/2025/02/declaration-visant-a-defendre-la-recherche-contre-la-censure-du-gouvernement-americain

Thanks to Herve Maisonneuve for his French translation of the key recommendations of the Feb 13 Declaration To Defend Research Against U.S. Government Censorship. He adds this good conclusion: "We are free to consider that these initiatives are useless… but [signing them] allows us to support colleagues who cannot express themselves in public."

#DefendResearch #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Déclaration visant à défendre la recherche contre la censure du gouvernement américain | Rédaction Médicale et Scientifique

Point n'est besoin d'expliquer ce qui se passe aux USA depuis l'arrivée au pouvoir de Donald Trump dans le domaine de la recherche et de la santé. Des organisations sont démantelées, des fonctionnaires licenciés, des aides humanitaires internationales bloquées... quitte à laisser pourrir de la nourriture.. Le silence n'est pas…

Rédaction Médicale et Scientifique

Update. Thanks to @georgetown for making this public statement.
https://president.georgetown.edu/messages/what-we-stand-for-feb-2025/

"I know that the rapidly evolving external environment is unsettling to many in the community. Some of us have received directives to stop our research activities; some of our students have had job offerings rescinded; some have read repeated external communications that question the value of their work…We promote scholarship freely based on inquiring minds…We do not conduct these activities alongside our mission; they are the essence of our mission…Be assured that we are actively tracking all developments as they occur, assessing whether they affect our mission’s work, quickly partnering with those community members affected, and supporting them as they navigate change."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Trump #Universities #USPol #USPolitics

Who We Are and What We Stand For - Office of the President

I know that the rapidly evolving external environment is unsettling to many in the community. Some of us have received directives to stop our research activities; some of our students have had job offerings rescinded; some have read repeated external communications that question the value of their work.

Office of the President

Update. A new editorial in Nature: "Trump 2.0: an assault on science anywhere is an assault on science everywhere."
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00562-w

"How, then, should those of us who are part of the global enterprise of education, health, science and engineering respond? One priority must be to denounce these actions, to shout about their negative effects, to support researchers and to defend their ability to work and study without fear for their jobs. Understandably, those working at — or even leading — federal agencies might feel that they cannot speak up, but researchers at other organizations, such as universities, scientific societies, businesses, labour unions and campaign groups have more freedom, and must exercise it by showing support for affected colleagues."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Trump 2.0: an assault on science anywhere is an assault on science everywhere

US President Donald Trump is taking a wrecking ball to science and to international institutions. The global research community must take a stand against these attacks.

Update. Reminder from #Trump's first term (2017): Trump’s budget director pick: “Do we really need government-funded research at all”
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2016/12/21/14012552/trump-budget-director-research-science-mulvaney

"President Donald #Trump recently picked Rep. Mick #Mulvaney…to head the White House’s Office of Management and Budget [#OMB]…In a stunning September 9 Facebook post (that’s since been deleted but is still cached), Mulvaney asked, '... what might be the best question: do we really need government funded research at all.'"

#DefendResearch #Funding #USPol #USPolitics

Trump’s budget director pick: “Do we really need government-funded research at all”

Mick Mulvaney suggested Zika science is uncertain, so we shouldn’t bother to fund it.

Vox

Update. "CDC Staff Prohibited From Co-Authoring Papers With World Health Organization Personnel"
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cdc-who-publication-memo_n_67c1eb34e4b0bf54864084cf

"Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [#CDC] have been prohibited from co-authoring publications with World Health Organization [#WHO] staff, dealing a blow to global research efforts and continuing the #Trump administration’s aggressive attack on government-funded science."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Medicine #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

CDC Staff Prohibited From Co-Authoring Papers With World Health Organization Personnel

It’s just the latest “Orwellian” crackdown on government scientists.

HuffPost

Update. The #NIH web site is down.
https://www.nih.gov/

It's been up and down, but mostly down, since before noon yesterday.
https://downdetector.com/status/nih/

I don't know what's going on but will post updates as I find them.

#DefendResearch #Medicine #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Update. "RFK Jr. issues rule barring public comment on #HHS rulemaking"
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5170090-rfk-jr-hhs-public-comment-rulemaking-ends/

"Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Friday released a policy prohibiting public comments during his department’s rulemaking process, ending more than 50 years of the public’s involvement in crafting his department’s rules…After assuming office, Kennedy had vowed to usher in “radical transparency” at the HHS…Lawrence O. Gostin, faculty director of O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at the Georgetown University Law Center…speculated that Kennedy was rescinding public comments in order to quickly “ram through” radical changes to health care, public health and scientific research in the U.S."

#DefendResearch #Medicine #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Update. The #NIH site is back up.
https://www.nih.gov/

The reports of it being down have plummeted to near zero.
https://downdetector.com/status/nih/

But I'm still looking for a good explanation of what happened.

#Medicine #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Official website of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is one of the world's foremost medical research centers. An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH is the Federal focal point for health and medical research. The NIH website offers health information for the public, scientists, researchers, medical professionals, patients, educators, and students. The Site has extensive information on funding and training opportunities, clinical trials, health news and links to the many Institutes and Centers that make-up the NIH.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Update. Therese Choquette ran searches on #PubMed and may have found gaps corresponding to terms banned by the #Trump admin.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/therese-choquette-former-vallerskog-1531132_pubmed-activity-7301996327691816961-afAN?rcm=ACoAAADEjlkBbyOxuygZagmqeEC6540rx1UQQSs

PS: Unfortunately she compared US PubMed with Europe PubMed Central, which is apples to oranges. (PubMed is metadata-only and PMC is full text.) Can we crowdsource some systematic searches comparing (1) PubMed now with PubMed before Trump, e.g. in the Wayback Machine, and (2) US PMC with Europe PMC?

#DefendResearch #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Therese Choquette (former Vallerskog) on LinkedIn: #pubmed | 31 comments

**Edit: I did this search due to the situation here in the US. The intent was to see how US PubMed performed the searching on topics containing the ”forbidden” words. Not looking if any papers were purged, only the search responses.** I read that #PubMed was down off and on, and therefore I did a test (March 2, 2025 around 10am EST) to compare results from the NIH PubMed to the European PubMed. The outcome of the searches made my chin fall down to the floor since they provided completely different results! I expected different, but not to this extent. This really makes me upset and I see a very dark time for science here in the US, very heartbreaking. These were the searches: 1. womens health in low income states in USA 2. transgender diversity and equal opportunities for promotion in USA. The screenshots below are showing you the difference in the number of publications and content. I will for sure absolutely NOT trust the NIH PubMed when searching for publications and I will use the European version from now on. This is the link to the European PubMed: https://europepmc.org | 31 comments on LinkedIn

Update. "48 Scientific Societies Representing Almost 100,000 Scientists Ask Congress to Protect the Future of Science"
https://www.ucsusa.org/about/news/scientists-ask-congress-protect-future-science

"[48] scientific societies…representing almost 100,000 scientists from diverse disciplines, have sent a letter, organized by the #UCS, to members of Congress demanding that they protect federally funded scientific research and federal scientists. The letter is open so the number of signers may continue to grow."

#DefendResearch #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

48 Scientific Societies Representing Almost 100,000 Scientists Ask Congress to Protect the Future of Science

48 scientific societies representing almost 100,000 scientists signed on to a letter asking Congress to protect the future of science

Union of Concerned Scientists

Update. Here's the open letter mentioned in the previous post (this thread).
https://ucs-documents.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/science-network/Scientific-Society-Sign-On-Letter-signed-2-28-25.pdf

"We, the undersigned professional scientific societies, associations, and organizations, are writing to ask you to take immediate action to protect and restore life-saving and essential scientific research that…[is] funded by American taxpayers and authorized by Congress and cannot be unilaterally halted by the executive branch."

#DefendResearch #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Update. It's just a coincidence that the newer open letter to Congress in the previous post, this thread (nd but approx March 3) …
https://ucs-documents.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/science-network/Scientific-Society-Sign-On-Letter-signed-2-28-25.pdf

… and this older letter (nd but approx Feb 17) …
https://unitedsciencealliance.org/

… were both initially signed by 48 scientific societies. They're different letters, organized by different groups, and signed by (mostly) different societies.

#DefendResearch #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Update. The American Physical Society (#APS, @apsphysics) is running a survey on the impact of cuts to US science #funding. Please take it if you're affected or likely to be affected.
https://apsphysics.fillout.com/t/6ESUva3vwGus

"This survey collects stories showcasing the transformative positive impact of #NSF, #NIST, #DOE, #NASA, and #DOD-funded research and programs as well as what would be lost if support for basic research evaporates. You can document your experiences and share how recent executive actions have impacted you. Individual stories will be only be used publicly with permission or when fully anonymized."

#DefendResearch #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Impacts of Federal Science Funding

Made with Fillout, the best way to make forms, surveys and quizzes your audience will answer.

Impacts of Federal Science Funding

Update. "US science is under threat ― now scientists are fighting back"
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00661-8

"The courts temporarily halted some of the Trump administration’s orders, but a coherent message has broken through: federal support for science is in danger. Gradually, scientists began to stir, Varga says: “They’re realizing now that doing any one thing is better than doing nothing.” That activism is taking many forms...."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

US science is under threat ― now scientists are fighting back

Researchers are organizing protests and making their voices heard as Trump officials slash funding and lay off federal scientists.

Update. "‘Omg, did #PubMed go dark?’ Blackout stokes fears about database’s future"
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00674-3

"The NIH told Nature in an e-mail that, on 1 March 'some of NIH public-web services experienced service disruptions' but all services were restored on 2 March. 'NIH is committed to resilient and open access to PubMed and other NIH web services,' the team wrote. But [Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious-diseases physician] says any disruption — even if temporary — raises concerns about how researchers access essential scientific information. 'It also serves as a reminder of the need for contingency plans, such as alternative #repositories or offline access to critical research, to ensure that health-care providers and researchers are not left without crucial information when they need it most,' she says."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Medicine #OpenInfrastructure #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

‘Omg, did PubMed go dark?’ Blackout stokes fears about database’s future

A brief outage has focused attention on scientists’ reliance on the US-government-funded website.

Update. "EDGI Relaunches Federal Environmental Web Tracker"
https://envirodatagov.org/press-release-edgi-relaunches-federal-environmental-web-tracker/

"In response to the #Trump administration’s rapid dismantling of federal websites, the Environmental Data & Governance Initiative (#EDGI) has relaunched its Federal Environmental Web Tracker…The… Tracker makes records of significant changes to federal environmental websites publicly available in a searchable database…Since the first Trump administration, EDGI has monitored thousands of federal environmental webpages. Partners at the #InternetArchive download these webpages every day, and EDGI’s #OpenSource software compares versions of these webpages to identify differences."

#Censorship #Climate #DefendResearch #Environment #Monitoring #Preservation #Takedowns #USPol #USPolitics

PRESS RELEASE: EDGI Relaunches Federal Environmental Web Tracker – Environmental Data and Governance Initiative

In response to the Trump administration’s rapid dismantling of federal websites, the Environmental Data & Governance Initiative (EDGI) has relaunched its Federal Environmental Web Tracker.

Environmental Data and Governance Initiative

Update. An editorial in _Annals of Internal Medicine_ responds to "Political Action That Threatens the Integrity of Medical Research."
https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-00985

"The editors have given a great deal of thought to actions Annals can take to counter some of this damage. Following an executive order that limited the ability of health agency staff to communicate externally, we quickly published all manuscripts with government-affiliated authors that were accepted but awaiting publication before we could receive a request to withdraw them. As a member of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors [#ICMJE], Annals helped develop and strongly endorses the guidance it posted in early February 2025 relevant to journals' responses to requests to withdraw, revise, or alter authorship of manuscripts in process at scientific journals. To date, we are unaware of any request to retract published articles that include banned terms or address issues the U.S. administration deems unsavory. If we receive such requests, Annals will not honor them. Retraction is warranted only when there is clear evidence of major errors or scientific misconduct that seriously compromise research findings."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Medicine #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Update. Kudos to Aix Marseille University (@univamu_europe), for funding "American Scientists Who Fear #Trump #Censorship"
https://www.404media.co/french-university-to-fund-american-scientists-who-fear-trump-censorship/

"A leading French university is inviting American scientists who fear their research on subjects like #climate might be censored by Donald Trump’s administration to do their work in France. The program is called ‘safe place for science,’ and will provide 15 million Euros in funding for some 15 researchers over a 3-year period…It targets, but is not limited to, climate and environment, health, and human and social sciences."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Medicine #USPol #USPolitics

French University to Fund American Scientists Who Fear Trump Censorship

The program, called ‘safe place for science,’ offers American scientists funding to continue their research in France.

404 Media

Update. "NIH to terminate hundreds of active research grants"
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00703-1

"In an unprecedented move, the US #NIH has begun mass terminations of research grants that fund active scientific projects because they no longer meet “agency priorities.” NIH staff members have been instructed to identify and potentially cancel grants for projects studying transgender populations, #gender identity, diversity, equity and inclusion (#DEI) in the scientific workforce, [or] #environmentaljustice…Grants that allot funding to universities in #China and those related to #climate change are also under scrutiny. 'It’s extremely alarming that grants that have been vetted by the scientific community and deemed important and impactful to understand the world are now being cancelled because of political ideology,' says Lisa Fazio, a cognitive psychologist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, who studies misinformation. 'For all this talk about free speech, this is direct censorship of scientific research.'"

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Medicine #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Exclusive: NIH to terminate hundreds of active research grants

Studies that touch on LGBT+ health, gender identity and DEI in the biomedical workforce could be terminated, according to documents obtained by Nature.

Update. The Stand Up For Science rally starts in two hours (noon ET).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T5CnzeVD5T-2GpeicyvWJYluRWCtaayW/view

"Since being launched in mid-February, Stand Up for Science has transformed into a national movement with international support. Our primary goal: defending science as a public good and central pillar of social progress. On March 7th, we will host official events mobilizing scientists and science advocates in Washington DC, New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and 28 other cities around the United States....But March 7th is just the beginning. Our policy goals include a restoration of federal scientific funding, the reinstatement of wrongfully terminated employees at federal agencies, an end to governmental interference and censorship in science, and a renewed commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in science. We are also committed to empowering scientists–and anyone who has benefited from scientific advancements–to engage in sustained advocacy in the years to come."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #standupforscience2025 #Takedowns #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Stand Up For Science 2025 Press Release_02.28.25.pdf

Google Docs

Update. "‘Scientists will not be silenced’: thousands protest Trump research cuts"
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00704-0

"Thousands of researchers and supporters of science protested in cities across the US and Europe today against actions taken by the administration of US President Donald #Trump to cut the US scientific workforce and slash spending on research worldwide…Marie Walde, a biophysicist at the Roscoff Biological Station in France, posted about a rally she attended…saying: “In solidarity with our colleagues in the US, researchers and citizens all over France are protesting today for science and knowledge as a public good.” … Since taking office in January, Trump and his team have laid off, and in some cases then tried to rehire, thousands from US science agencies, whose jobs touched on nuclear safety, bird flu surveillance, extreme-weather forecasting and more."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Funding #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

‘Scientists will not be silenced’: thousands protest Trump research cuts

Researchers at Stand Up for Science rallies voice defiance against the policies of US President Donald Trump’s administration.

Heard at yesterday's Stand Up For Science rally in Washington.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/healthpolicy/114556

Francis Collins, former director of the #NIH: "99% of new drug approvals depended…on NIH research…So the industry has a lot to lose if federal investment is damaged. It would be good to hear more about that from pharmaceutical company leaders -- just saying."

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD.). Said he was glad to be in a crowd with so many "mad scientists… Everybody in America should be mad…about what we are witnessing right now in our country, including the illegal and reckless attacks on science by Elon #Musk and the #Trump administration."

Former Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI). When he and his colleagues introduced the 21st Century Cures Act in 2015, it included $45 billion in additional health research funding for NIH and FDA. At the time, they had support from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, including former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA). "You see, diseases don't impact just Republicans or Democrats. It [sic] impacts all of us."

Bill Nye the Science Guy. "We demand that scientists not be censored, that there be legal safeguards to prevent political interference in their research and they be enabled to communicate their findings freely."

#Censorship #DefendResearch #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

Researchers, Doctors, Patients Rally to 'Stand Up for Science'

Speakers at D.C. event included politicians, a recent NIH director, and Bill Nye the Science Guy

@petersuber So great to see both of these statements!

@petersuber

Maybe someone at @ZBMED would be interested?

@petersuber FYI that what EuropePMC contains is described here: https://europepmc.org/Help#sources, it's not just PMC.

> Europe PMC contains all of the PubMed abstracts, the vast majority of PMC content, plus additional content including preprints, microPublications, patents, NHS clinical guidelines and Agricola records.

Further, in addition to the potential removal of already-indexed data, I think that we need to be wary of possible changes to the data pipeline at NLM.

1/2

@petersuber

If you happen to know a publisher that is submitting XML records to PubMed, then they could double check their submissions against what has been indexed. They get emails with this info every day.

I think given present circumstances and other things that have happened it's unfortunately probably worth doing.

2/2

@petersuber Hi, Peter. I was looking around today to see if there were any updates on what happened with PubMed this weekend but haven’t found anything definitive. Have you?

@LibrariansReed
Hi Michelle. See my post from March 3.
https://fediscience.org/@petersuber/114099032731834833

Also see the paywalled Nature story from March 4.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00674-3

Although the Nature story is paywalled, there are nine paragraphs of free content which give the basic answer your question.

petersuber (@petersuber@fediscience.org)

Update. Therese Choquette ran searches on #PubMed and may have found gaps corresponding to terms banned by the #Trump admin. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/therese-choquette-former-vallerskog-1531132_pubmed-activity-7301996327691816961-afAN?rcm=ACoAAADEjlkBbyOxuygZagmqeEC6540rx1UQQSs PS: Unfortunately she compared US PubMed with Europe PubMed Central, which is apples to oranges. (PubMed is metadata-only and PMC is full text.) Can we crowdsource some systematic searches comparing (1) PubMed now with PubMed before Trump, e.g. in the Wayback Machine, and (2) US PMC with Europe PMC? #DefendResearch #Trump #USPol #USPolitics

FediScience.org
@petersuber I hadn’t seen the Nature story. Very helpful—thank you!

@petersuber

thoughts: doge broligarchs running amok, AND a Dod wide order to stand down on stopping russia cyber efforts.

@petersuber The public commentary period before changes are made to policy has always been important in healthcare for many reasons.

@petersuber

Where are some patriotic hackers to take down DOGE IT tools and systems???

Judging by their shitty cars and rockets, these Tesla engineers are really not that good.....

@petersuber Not the Web site, their #DNS setup. Reported on the dns-operations mailing list https://lists.dns-oarc.net/pipermail/dns-operations/2025-March/022843.html
nih.gov NS only answers TCP queries

NIH DNS broken

The three authoritative nameservers for nih.gov are down. Because of the arborescent structure of domain names, all names under nih.gov ...

bortzmeyer
@petersuber This is one of the predictable consequences of treating researchers like employees. But this idea was not introduced by Trump: it was already the underlying assumption of any kind of bureaucratic research evaluation based on administratively selected indicators rather than on free scientific debate (https://commentbfp.sp.unipi.it/maria-chiara-pievatolo-the-scale-and-the-sword-statal-science-and-research-evaluation/).
@petersuber Ignore, ignore, ignore...

@petersuber china has been catching up in numbers of patents applications since 2010. actually they are no 1 already since then. that race is lost.
so why bother financing us research, if america is going to be a third world fascist country anyway :)

https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/china-is-the-largest-contributor-to-global-patent-applications-substantially-ahead-of-other-countries

China is the largest contributor to global patent applications, substantially ahead of other countries

China’s patent applications have grown rapidly in recent decades, as shown in the chart. Chinese applications surpassed US applications in 2010, reaching over 1.4 million in 2021. According to this data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), China’s applications accounted for more than half of the global total in 2021.

Our World in Data