Search Results for keywords:"Janssen Research

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is proposing new procedures to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including the addition of new categorical exclusions (CEs). These CEs are actions usually not expected to impact the environment significantly. NIST seeks public input on these draft procedures and the justification for the new CEs by January 10, 2025. The proposal is part of a larger effort to streamline and ensure consistency with environmental regulations.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is conducting a new study to assess the strength capabilities of children, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They have submitted a request for approval to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and invite public comments by February 18, 2021. The study, in partnership with the University of Michigan, will collect data from nearly 800 children aged 3 months to 5 years to update strength data that was last gathered over 40 years ago. This information will help improve child safety standards and designs for consumer products.

The Social Security Administration has issued a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) extending the flexibility in evaluating the "close proximity of time" standard for musculoskeletal disorder listings until May 11, 2029. This extension allows the administration more time to study healthcare practices and access, especially given the increased use of telehealth services after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The rule aims to accommodate the ongoing changes in healthcare access and provision by allowing more time for individuals to meet the required medical listing criteria for disability claims. The public is invited to submit comments on this rule by March 18, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS) announced a proposal for a new information collection related to a study on "Conservation Auction Behavior." This study aims to examine how different factors, like high-scoring default offers and live score updates during bidding, affect decision-making in the Conservation Reserve Program's auction process. The ERS plans to test these factors using an online simulated auction involving both former Conservation Reserve Program participants and university students. Public comments are being solicited on whether the information collection is necessary, the accuracy of agency estimates, and how to improve data collection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, will hold a virtual meeting of the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) on February 10-11, 2021. This meeting will discuss systematic reviews and topics such as Nutrition, Physical Activity, Obesity, and Health Equity/Social Determinants of Health. The public can attend the meeting by registering in advance, and there will be an opportunity for public comments during specific segments. The CPSTF, an independent panel, focuses on identifying programs that enhance public health by evaluating evidence and issuing recommendations, which are informative rather than mandatory.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is updating its rules for two programs: the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) mobility demonstration and the Moving to Work (MTW) expansion. HUD is allocating up to $50 million to help public housing agencies increase the number of families living in opportunity areas. However, HUD is imposing some restrictions to ensure accurate assessments of both programs, such as limiting how housing agencies can participate in both programs simultaneously. Housing agencies must choose between specific MTW expansion cohorts and the HCV mobility demonstration, and some policy changes require HUD's approval to maintain the integrity of the evaluation process. HUD also made corrections to previously published definitions and requirements.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a new rule to set a maximum nicotine level in cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products. This measure aims to decrease the addictiveness of these products, making it easier for people who want to quit to do so, and to prevent youth from becoming addicted. The rule is expected to benefit public health by reducing the number of individuals who start smoking or continue smoking over time. The proposal could potentially improve health outcomes by reducing the overall harmful effects of tobacco addiction.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA has released a draft policy statement related to brucella research for public review and comment. This statement provides guidance for creating biosafety plans for outdoor animal studies involving swine, elk, bison, and cattle, in line with current select agent regulations. The policy aims to aid research efforts to better understand and address brucellosis, a disease affecting livestock and potentially humans, by allowing for the development of diagnostics and vaccines. Comments on the draft policy are welcome until February 16, 2021, and can be submitted through various methods including a dedicated online portal.

The Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and NASA have proposed changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to improve small business participation in multiple-award contracts. This proposal aims to expand the use of small business set-asides, promote more coordination with small business specialists during planning, and increase opportunities for small businesses to win government contracts. It introduces stricter documentation and coordination requirements for agencies, especially when opting not to set aside projects for small businesses, and discusses using tools like "on-ramps" to include more small businesses in long-term contracts. These changes are intended to boost competition and economic strength by involving more small businesses in government contracts.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is proposing a new information collection to evaluate the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Mobility Demonstration. This initiative aims to assess the impact of mobility services on helping families with children move to areas with lower poverty. HUD is inviting public comments on their proposal and is looking for input on whether the information collection is necessary, accurate, and can be improved. The evaluation will be conducted over a two-phase period and will involve data collection from participating families, public housing agencies, and landlords.