EPA has issued a proposed rule that would require data and models underlying certain scientific studies to be made publicly available before the agency could use the studies in developing regulations. Among its justifications, the agency is arguing the proposal is consistent with the research community’s recent efforts to address concerns about the irreproducibility of swaths of science.

At a recent House Science Committee hearing, members were united in calling for changes necessary to ensure institutions of research and higher education are free of sexual harassment. Witnesses on an all-woman panel called for changes within a culture they say remains permissive of harassment and other misconduct.

The National Academies committee tasked with exploring how to move toward an open science enterprise held a symposium on Sept. 18 where a range of stakeholders discussed how to expand open access to scholarly publications, improve standards and best practices for sharing data, and better manage data repositories.

As the House advances a budget that cuts non-defense spending while boosting defense spending over the next decade, a group of coalitions representing scientific organizations and universities is urging Congress to lift both defense and non-defense budget caps that are constraining federal spending on science.