Science is Not Free
But the breakthroughs owing to federal funding of basic research into science, health and medicine are a bargain
Welcome back to your weekly dose of wisdom and wellness. Below you’ll find several actionable stories by Wise & Well’s team of journalists, topical experts and practicing professionals. First this week, a brief but important note from the editor:
All great advances in science and medicine, from disease cures to moon landings, hip replacements to X-ray technology, cost money. Basic research that builds knowledge and leads to breakthroughs happens thanks to boatloads of funding, and much of that funding throughout modern history has come from the US government, directly through spending on its own institutions like NASA and the National Science Foundation, and indirectly via federal grants made to universities and other organizations by, as just one example, the National Institutes of Health.
Public funding for basic research is a cornerstone for everything we learn about ourselves and our world, leading to discoveries sometimes made by private companies that would never have happened without years or decades of work funded by taxpayers.
The longevity and better health made possible for you and your loved ones—from the polio vaccine to heart transplants, antibiotics to cancer therapies—owe to ongoing advances in science courtesy, at least in part, of federal funding with taxpayer dollars.
The price of health research is a relative bargain, however.
The annual NIH budget, which covers more than just research funding, is $48 billion (prior to current cuts being made by the Trump administration). The total federal budget is $6.9 trillion.
Some 40% of basic research in the US is funded by the federal government, according to an analysis funded by the National Science Foundation. That figure has declined steadily in recent decades, while private research funding by businesses has increased. That might sound like a great shift away from spending tax dollars, but there’s one big catch: Businesses fund research they think they can profit from. Public funding often goes to vital research in areas that can save lives and improve health but might not generate investor-pleasing revenue.
Total US funding for basic research (public + private) has been flat or declining in recent years, when adjusted for inflation.
Now, as the Trump administration works to eviscerate public funding of basic science, health and medical research, Wise & Well will, moving forward, aim to include funding sources in our stories when it makes sense.
We don’t wish to overburden the reader experience with excessive detail. We won’t belabor the issue by stating the funding source for every study. But just as we frequently name the researchers who led key studies we mention, and give a nod to the journals that publish new or significant findings, we’ll be sprinkling in mention of funding sources, so you get a glimpse at the money behind gevernmental, academic and institutional output of basic science research and discoveries.
To be clear, we already follow the money to ferret out studies funded by industries that would benefit from rosy results, and when we spot such conflicts of interest, we don’t write about the research (unless it needs debunking). Our new commitment is to simply relay a bit more information about the important sources of money behind the quality research we bring to you. Because science is not free.
This week’s other feature stories (written prior to establishing our new approach to funding clarity):
Nope, Trump Derangement Syndrome Isn’t a Real Condition
When I first saw mention of Minnesota legislators’ proposal to create a law defining Trump Derangement Syndrome, I thought it was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the president’s mental-health issues. Not so. So here’s the problem with the actual proposal: Lawmakers claiming that people who disagree with the president are paranoid, and should shut up, is undemocratic and, as this psychiatrist explains, unscientific and seriously disingenuous. By John Kruse MD, PhD
The Real Truth About Spanking
I almost spanked our youngest son once. Never did, because I’m not into hitting, and he was an easy toddler. But that one time, I wanted to redirect his attention from bad behavior, so I patted his butt to get his attention. He wailed! And this was a kid who never cried. I’d hurt his feelings, I figure, and quite likely he knew he was misbehaving and was upset about getting called out. Mission accomplished? Let’s see what this psychologist says. By Gail Post, Ph.D.
Chronic Pain is Like a Defective Fire Alarm
Chronic pain can be really hard to describe. I know — been there. The pain seems to come from a spot or a region or, well, I’m not sure. Pinpointing it can be hard. Figuring out the cause can seem impossible. So the analogy of a defective fire alarm resonates. The brain is saying “Hey, ouch! Do something!” but the body has no clue what’s going on. False alarm? Not exactly. By Randall H. Duckett
Replacing Butter for Some Plant Oils Could Lower Morality Risk
Advice on dairy (and many other food types) bounces around a lot. Eat this! No, don’t eat this. Eat that! Wait… So the latest big study on butter, which links it to a higher risk for premature death given all its saturated fat, may not be the final word. But if you eat tons of butter, you might consider doing like this writer and swapping in certain plant oils that the researchers say is healthier. By Annie Foley
Artificial Sweeteners Trick Your Brain into Eating Too Much
Studies have increasingly suggested that calorie-free sugar substitutes are not free of adverse health effects. One puzzling thing: They generally don’t work for weight loss. A new controlled experiment shows why: The sweetness tells your brain a bunch of calories are coming, and when they don’t arrive, you’re left hungry, so you eat more (and odds are good the stuff you’re eating isn’t healthy). By Robert Roy Britt
Measles Cases are Rising. How to Make Sure You’re Protected
Did you get the measles vaccine when you were a kid? If you’re not sure, how can you find out? And how important is it for children nowadays to get the vaccine? Who needs a booster? And what are the risks? Get straight answers on these and other questions from this neurologist/medical epidemiologist, rather than relying on cousin Vinny for your vaccine info. By Daniel Pastula
What I Wish I’d Known Before I Took a Corporate Job
Working in a corporation can be a wonderful experience. Or a terrible one. It often depends on the temperament of the leadership. After 16 years of corporate life, with roles from entry level to the C-suite, I speak honestly about what goes wrong, and why, with the hope these learnings will help you navigate your corporate career, or at least have more survival skills when you need them. By Robert Roy Britt
I hope we’ve helped make your tomorrow a little better than today.
Cheers,
Rob