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Research Funding in Focus: Even More Transparent Thanks to Data Stories

Research Funding in Focus: Even More Transparent Thanks to Data Stories

The SNSF meticulously examines its funding activities. From now on, it will publish these analyses on its data portal. To kick things off, Open Access, ERC grants and women scientists during the pandemic are in focus.

UFO-report by US Military and Intelligence Agencies to Be Released

UFO-report by US Military and Intelligence Agencies to Be Released

A task force will share data it collected on unusual flight phenomena with Congress. UFO enthusiasts rejoice. But a German expert with decades of research under his belt doesn't believe aliens have ever been to Earth.

Why Misinformation Is About Who You Trust, Not What You Think

Why Misinformation Is About Who You Trust, Not What You Think

I can't see them. Therefore they're not real." From which century was this quote drawn? Not a medieval one. The utterance emerged in February 2019 from Fox & Friends presenter Pete Hegseth, who was referring to … germs. 

Coronavirus Variants Get Greek Names - but Will Scientists Use Them?

Coronavirus Variants Get Greek Names - but Will Scientists Use Them?

From Alpha to Omega, the labelling system aims to avoid confusion and stigmatization.

A Time Capsule for Future Social Researchers

A Time Capsule for Future Social Researchers

We ask prominent scholars to select a visual artifact of this time that will help future researchers understand the Covid-19 crisis.

Science Ministers Commit to Improving Research Careers in Europe

Science Ministers Commit to Improving Research Careers in Europe

EU research ministers on Friday committed to enhance the attractiveness of research careers and improve brain circulation in Europe, and are calling on member states and the European Commission to take a common approach. That will include setting up an EU system to track mobility of talent, assess working conditions and promote gender and intergenerational equality.

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Biomedical Applications with the Appropriate Regulation of Data

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Biomedical Applications with the Appropriate Regulation of Data

The risks associated with poor medical database management are ever heightened in today's global pandemic, as the world struggles with control over COVID-19.

Gender Disparity in Research Productivity Across Departments in the Faculty of Medicine: a Bibliometric Analysis

Gender Disparity in Research Productivity Across Departments in the Faculty of Medicine: a Bibliometric Analysis

Women's contributions to the medical field have increased substantially over the past 4 decades but women remain underrepresented. Since research productivity is an important criterion for promotion, it was essential to assess the gender differences within the faculty of medicine and across departments. We conducted a bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database between 2009 and 2018 at the American University of Beirut (N = 324, 93 women, 231 men). Women comprised 29% of the faculty. The rank of Professor was held by 34% of men and 18% of women (p < 0.0001). Mean number of publications was 30.12 for males compared to 20.77 for females (p = 0.007). Men were more often last authors (p < 0.0001) and corresponding authors (p < 0.01). In the MD subcategory (N = 282), the gender difference in number of publications, H-index, and total citations was not significant. Women MDs were underrepresented as last authors (p < 0.0001). Among PhD faculty (N = 42), males had greater H-Indices (p = 0.02) and were more often last and corresponding authors. After adjusting for the year of appointment: the gender differences in corresponding and last authorship lost statistical significance among MDs but not among PhDs where it became more pronounced. In conclusion, women in the faculty of medicine were underrepresented in most departments, senior ranks and senior research authorships; H-indices generally did not differ, which was partially explained by the later year of appointment among females. In a developing country, greater family responsibilities especially early in their careers, may put women at a disadvantage in research productivity.

The Matthew Effect Impacts Science and Academic Publishing by Preferentially Amplifying Citations, Metrics and Status

The Matthew Effect Impacts Science and Academic Publishing by Preferentially Amplifying Citations, Metrics and Status

The Matthew Effect, which breeds success from success, may rely on standing on the shoulders of others, citation bias, or the efforts of a collaborative network. Prestige is driven by resource, which in turn feeds prestige, amplifying advantage and rewards, and ultimately skewing recognition.

Open Science in Spain: Towards a Coordinated Strategy

Open Science in Spain: Towards a Coordinated Strategy

Spain needs to set out a wider and clear OS strategy and take decisive, coordinated actions that build upon and improve existing structures to bring itself back to the forefront of OS.

Open Access Uptake in Germany 2010-2018: Adoption in a Diverse Research Landscape

Open Access Uptake in Germany 2010-2018: Adoption in a Diverse Research Landscape

This study investigates the development of open access (OA) to journal articles from authors affiliated with German universities and non-university research institutions in the period 2010-2018 and can serve as a baseline to assess the impact recent transformative agreements with major publishers will likely have on scholarly communication.

Prestigious European Grants Might Be Biased, Study Suggests

Prestigious European Grants Might Be Biased, Study Suggests

Institutional affiliations of panellists seem to skew European Research Council decisions - especially in the life sciences.

Research Reveals Why Some Find the Sound of Others Eating So Irritating

Research Reveals Why Some Find the Sound of Others Eating So Irritating

Scans show some brains have a stronger link between the part that processes sound and that which controls the mouth and throat