Under current scientific publishing norms, most research – including, but not limited to, the analysis of thin circular objects – is accessible only to high-paying institutions.

Nature, the pre-eminent journal for reporting scientific research, has had to retract two papers it published in January after mistakes were spotted in the figures, some of the methods descriptions were found to be plagiarised and early attempts to replicate the work failed.

Scientists could achieve more fulfilled professional lives by embracing the skills needed for effective interaction with the public.

Every year, thousands of scientists leave Europe for jobs elsewhere, notably the United States. The Old World is trying to get them back.

Kein Wissenschaftler sieht sich gern als bestechlich an. Doch Manipulation und Einflussnahme laufen sehr subtil ab, erklärt Professor Thomas Kliche in der "duz". Der Trick: Auch Korruption kann zu Beginn noch ganz moralisch wirken.

In an era of large collaborations, multi-authored papers, and enormous datasets, is there still room for the single creative idea that proves to be a gamechanger?

If everyone likes your research, you can be certain that you have not done anything important. That is the first thing to grasp. Conflict goes with the territory. Innovation comes when universities encourage risk-taking, says Andrew Oswald.