A Mental-Health Crisis is Gripping Science
There is a mental-health crisis in science at all career stages and across the world. Is toxic research culture to blame?
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European Commission Sets Up New European Innovation Council Unit in the Research Directorate
European Commission Sets Up New European Innovation Council Unit in the Research Directorate
The European Commission has reorganised its directorate general for research and innovation (RTD) in order to give it better oversight of the European Innovation Council (EIC), with a new organisation chart published last week showing management of the innovation funding programme has been moved to a new unit. The unit will sit in the directorate for the European Research Area and Innovation, which is led by Anna Panagopoulou.
Improving Mentoring in Academia Requires a ‘Collective Effort’
Sarvenaz Sarabipour is tired of academics understanding mentorship through anecdotes. The scientific community “needs a minimum set of standards for good mentorship,” says the Johns Hopkins University systems biologist, which can only be achieved by studying it systematically.
What Will We Eat in a Post-1.5C World? Podcast
We now know that global temperatures are likely to temporarily exceed 1.5C above pre-industrial levels in the next five years. Breaching this crucial threshold will have serious consequences, including on our food. In the second of a special series of episodes looking at what a future world might look like, science editor Ian Sample explores how our diets could change as the world heats up, exploring climate-resilient vegetables, trying out mealworms, and discovering how to make flour out of microbes
Do Scientific Meetings Matter? Turning Up for Talks Brings Surprise Benefits
Do Scientific Meetings Matter? Turning Up for Talks Brings Surprise Benefits
Talks that conference attendees could see in person are more likely to be cited than talks they most likely missed.
The Science of Passion: Why Do We Kiss?
Humans exchange millions of disease-spreading bacteria when we kiss. Scientists believe that kissing tests the compatibility of mates ― that it all comes down to swapping spit. But where does the behavior come from?
Mixed Reception for Vestager As Temporary Stand-In at Research
The news that Commission vice president Margrethe Vestager will temporarily take over the innovation and research portfolio following the departure of commissioner Mariya Gabriel has been met with mixed feelings.
China Overtakes United States on Contribution to Research in Nature Index
Data on affiliations suggest that authors from China made the largest contribution to high-quality natural-science research in 2022.
Thousands Protest Mexico's New Science Law
Researchers are preparing to march against legislation that some say could harm basic science.
The World's Top Chemical-Weapons Detectives Just Opened a Brand-New Lab
The World's Top Chemical-Weapons Detectives Just Opened a Brand-New Lab
The international body that banned chemical weapons is due to celebrate its first major milestone sometime this year — the completed destruction of the world’s declared stockpiles of banned substances. But at the organization’s brand-new facility in the Netherlands, scientists from around the world will continue its work to prevent, spot and respond to chemical warfare.
What Thailand's Election of a Radical New Government Means for Science
What Thailand's Election of a Radical New Government Means for Science
The new government faces a difficult task to stimulate research and development, hampered by an unskilled workforce. The election result comes as the country is pursuing plans to move from a heavy-industry-based economy to one geared towards innovation, known as Thailand 4.0.
Crucial! New! Essential! - The Rise of Hype in Research and Impact Assessment
Crucial! New! Essential! - The Rise of Hype in Research and Impact Assessment
Hyberbolic adjectives have been on the rise in academic writing. A study explores how this persuasive language is deployed across different fields of research
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: When Communication All Changed
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: When Communication All Changed
Between early challenges and lasting opportunities, a deaf virologist reflects on how the pandemic transformed his access to academic spaces.
Despite Risks, EU Continues to Fund Research with Chinese Military-linked Universities
Despite Risks, EU Continues to Fund Research with Chinese Military-linked Universities
Despite efforts to prevent EU technology leaking to China's military, the European Commission is continuing to fund at least five research projects involving some of China's top military-linked universities.
Gabriel Called Up to End Political Deadlock in Bulgaria
EU research commissioner Mariya Gabriel was called to Sofia on Tuesday to form the next government of Bulgaria, throwing a spanner in the works during a decisive time for EU research and innovation policy.
The Future of Brazilian Science
The election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ('Lula') as president of Brazil on 30 October 2022 marked the end of the populist Bolsonaro era. In this Feature, five Brazilian scientists discuss their hopes and expectations for the new presidency and its scientific policies.
Opinion: Strict Ban on China Will Cost Us Dearly in Science
Scientific decoupling of China will come at a cost, says Ingrid D'Hooghe. There are security risks, but China leads the field in many areas.
EU Research Programme Links Needed, Says University
A Cambridge University leader says uncertainty over Horizon is hindering recruitment.
Wildfire Smoke from Australia Fueled Three-year "Super La Niña"
How wildfire smoke from Australia affected climate events around the world.
'Why Aren't You Taking Care of Us?' - Why Long COVID Patients Struggle for Solutions
'Why Aren't You Taking Care of Us?' - Why Long COVID Patients Struggle for Solutions
The very patients who live with long-term illness and no approved treatment after COVID infection feel they must fend for themselves, even as the United States declares an end to the COVID public health emergency.
First Human 'Pangenome' Aims to Catalogue Genetic Diversity
20 years after the first draft genome was released, researchers have published a draft human ‘pangenome’ — a snapshot of what may become a new reference for genetic research capturing more of human diversity than has been previously available.
Plastic-eating Fungi Discovered in Swiss Alps
Bacteria and fungi recently discovered in the Swiss Alps can digest biodegradable plastics at low temperatures. This ability, if upscaled to an industrial scale, will save money and energy during recycling, say scientists.
London and Brussels Still Haggling over Horizon Europe Association
With negotiations on the UK's association to Horizon Europe still ongoing, the UK government is looking for ways to ensure the smallest possible gap between how much money it will be putting into the programme and how much UK-based researchers get back.
The Social Side of Evidence-Based Policy
Getting scientific evidence used in policy is about building relationships of trust between researchers and policymakers.
Human Embryo Science: Can the World's Regulators Keep Pace?
Concerned by the speed of research, policymakers are looking for alternative ways to establish rules on genome editing and other technologies.
Science is Not the Only Form of Knowledge but It is the Best
Science is Not the Only Form of Knowledge but It is the Best
Science is not the only form of knowledge but it is the best, being the most successful epistemic enterprise in history.
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