Scientists Welcome Obama’s Words – an end to eight years of stark tension between science and government.

When he vowed in his Inaugural Address to “restore science to its rightful place,” President Obama signaled an end to eight years of stark tension between science and government.

But many of the Bush administration’s restrictions on science, like those governing stem cell research, will take time to be removed. And whether the Obama administration entirely reverses its predecessor’s strict controls over the government’s main scientific agencies remains to be seen.

Still, many scientists were exuberant. Staff members throughout the government’s scientific agencies held inaugural parties on Tuesday, and many reported being teary-eyed with joy.

By GARDINER HARRIS and WILLIAM J. BROAD

Full Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/us/politics/22science.html?_r=1&hp

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In ‘Geek Chic’ and Obama, New Hope for Lifting Women in Science

By NATALIE ANGIER

With the inauguration of an administration avowedly committed to Science as the grand elixir for the nation’s economic, environmental and psycho-reputational woes, a number of scientists say that now is the time to tackle a chronic conundrum of their beloved enterprise: how to attract more women into the fold, and keep them once they are there.

Full Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/science/20angier.html?em