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Assessment of Preprint Policies of Top-Ranked Clinical Journals

Assessment of Preprint Policies of Top-Ranked Clinical Journals

This cross-sectional study examines the preprint publication policies of 100 clinical journals with the highest impact factor.

Time is of the Essence: Containment of the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic in Switzerland from February to May 2020

Time is of the Essence: Containment of the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic in Switzerland from February to May 2020

In late February and early March 2020, Switzerland experienced rapid growth of severe COVID-19 infections. This pre-print follows and analyses non-pharmaceutical interventions during this period.

The Explosion of New Coronavirus Tests That Could Help to End the Pandemic

The Explosion of New Coronavirus Tests That Could Help to End the Pandemic

Researchers are scrambling to find other ways to diagnose the coronavirus and churn out millions of tests a week - a key step in returning to normality.

UK Science Thrives on International Collaboration but Faces an Uncertain Future

UK Science Thrives on International Collaboration but Faces an Uncertain Future

We can't tackle the huge global challenges we face in isolation - scientists must be able to work together across borders.

There Are Wasps in the Yard. You'd Better Get to Know Them.

There Are Wasps in the Yard. You'd Better Get to Know Them.

They buzz. They hover. Sometimes they sting. But how much do you really know about these insects that can menace our summers?

Your Coronavirus Antibodies Are Disappearing. Should You Care?

Your Coronavirus Antibodies Are Disappearing. Should You Care?

Declining antibody levels do not mean less immunity, experts say. Besides, two widely used tests may detect the wrong antibodies.

University Vs. Research Institute? The Dual Pillars of German Science Production, 1950-2010

University Vs. Research Institute? The Dual Pillars of German Science Production, 1950-2010

The world's third largest producer of scientific research, Germany, is the origin of the research university and the independent, extra-university research institute. Its dual-pillar research policy differentiates these organizational forms functionally: universities specialize in advanced research-based teaching; institutes specialize intensely on research. This article discusses the future utility of the dual-pillar policy.

Author Retracts Nature Commentary over Concerns About Section's Sponsorship

Author Retracts Nature Commentary over Concerns About Section's Sponsorship

Nature has retracted a recent commentary after the author complained that he had been misled by the relationship of the publication to a financial sponsor and told to avoid critiquing work from the institution. The journal says it is revisiting its “editorial guidelines and processes” in the wake of the case. 

'It's Like Groundhog Day': Coronavirus Testing Labs Again Lack Key Supplies

'It's Like Groundhog Day': Coronavirus Testing Labs Again Lack Key Supplies

Just weeks after resolving shortages in swabs, researchers are struggling to find the chemicals and plastic pieces they need to carry out coronavirus tests in the lab - leading to long waiting times.

"The 2020s Will Be the Decade of the Humanities and Social Sciences", Says New British Academy President

"The 2020s Will Be the Decade of the Humanities and Social Sciences", Says New British Academy President

The British Academy today announces that Professor Julia Black, Strategic Director of Innovation and Professor of Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science, will be its 31st President, succeeding the historian Professor Sir David Cannadine.

After 40 Years, Researchers Finally See Earth's Climate Destiny More Clearly

After 40 Years, Researchers Finally See Earth's Climate Destiny More Clearly

Landmark study narrows bounds for "climate sensitivity," ruling out benign warming.

Colleges Should Encourage STEM Faculty and Students to Participate in Public Policy

Colleges Should Encourage STEM Faculty and Students to Participate in Public Policy

It's never been a more important time for colleges to encourage STEM experts to participate in the policy-making arena.

Help Us Get to Know the Open Access Journals and Platforms That Are Free of Charge for Readers and Authors

Help Us Get to Know the Open Access Journals and Platforms That Are Free of Charge for Readers and Authors

We are pleased to invite you to fill in a survey dedicated to gaining in-depth understanding of open access journals that don’t charge author-fees, often known as the “diamond model”; journals that are free to both readers and authors. In addition, we are launching a crowdsourcing effort to list diamond journals not yet covered in major databases like DOAJ. 

New Recommendations to Improve the Status of Women Faculty

New Recommendations to Improve the Status of Women Faculty

A report on the status of women faculty at EPFL outlines common challenges faced by women professors, and more importantly, recommendations on how to move forward.

The Best Time to Argue About What a Replication Means? Before You Do It

The Best Time to Argue About What a Replication Means? Before You Do It

To avoid stalemates and provide lessons, replicators and original researchers must reach agreement on a study design and set out expectations ahead of time.

COAlition S Response to the ERC Scientific Council's Statement on Open Access and Plan S

COAlition S Response to the ERC Scientific Council's Statement on Open Access and Plan S

cOAlition S has taken note that the ERC Scientific Council wishes to pursue their joint efforts towards Open Access in a more independent way. The European Commission, who directs the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, continues to support cOAlition S and Plan S.

Covid-19 Vaccines With 'Minor Side Effects' Could Still Be Pretty Bad

Covid-19 Vaccines With 'Minor Side Effects' Could Still Be Pretty Bad

The risk of nasty side effects in the Moderna and Oxford trials should be made clear now, before it ends up as fodder for the skeptics.

Controversial 'human Challenge' Trials for COVID-19 Vaccines Gain Support

Controversial 'human Challenge' Trials for COVID-19 Vaccines Gain Support

Volunteers line up, and labs set to work on viral strains for controlled infections

Research Budget Still Uncertain, As Leaders Push Talks into Fourth Day

Research Budget Still Uncertain, As Leaders Push Talks into Fourth Day

As EU budget negotiations entered a fourth day in Brussels, the amount of funding that will be available for research and innovation is still unknown - but advocates mounted an online campaign to defend  it.

ERC Scientific Council Withdraws Support for Plan S - Research Professional News

ERC Scientific Council Withdraws Support for Plan S - Research Professional News

The reversal is intended to 'preserve equity among research communities' and protect young researchers.

Leaders Agree on Slimmed-down €80.9B for Horizon Europe

Leaders Agree on Slimmed-down €80.9B for Horizon Europe

EU leaders agreed on a pared-back budget of €80.9 billion for the Horizon Europe research programme, in the fifth day of a marathon summit to debate the EU's long-term budget and a post-pandemic economic recovery plan. The final figure - a big blow to research advocates -  is significantly lower than a proposes €94.4 billion put forward by the European Commission in May, as the budget for the R&D programme has been cut multiple times throughout the summit.

Open Science Beyond Open Access: For and with Communities, A Step Towards the Decolonization of Knowledge

Open Science Beyond Open Access: For and with Communities, A Step Towards the Decolonization of Knowledge

UNESCO is launching international consultations aimed at developing a Recommendation on Open Science for adoption by member states in 2021. Its Recommendation will include a common definition, a shared set of values, and proposals for action. At the invitation of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, this paper aims to contribute to the consultation process by answering questions such as: • Why and how should science be "open"? For and with whom? • Is it simply a matter of making scientific articles and data fully available to researchers around the world at the time of publication, so they do not miss important results that could contribute to or accelerate their work? • Could this openness also enable citizens around the world to contribute to science with their capacities and expertise, such as through citizen science or participatory action research projects? • Does science that is truly open include a plurality of ways of knowing, including those of Indigenous cultures, Global South cultures, and other excluded, marginalized groups in the Global North? The paper has four sections: "Open Science and the pandemic" introduces and explores different forms of openness during a crisis where science suddenly seems essential to the well-being of all. The next three sections explain the main dimensions of three forms of scientific openness: openness to publications and data, openness to society, and openness to excluded knowledges2 and epistemologies3. We conclude with policy considerations. A French version of this paper is available here: https://zenodo.org/record/3947013#.Xw-Ksx17nOQ