Subscribe to our newsletter

Send us a link

Secretive and subjective, peer review proves resistant to study

Secretive and subjective, peer review proves resistant to study

At the International Congress on Peer Review and Biomedical Publication, efforts to explore the scientific literature have shifted away from peer review and into other areas, such as bias and authorship. With a dearth of available data and funding, large systematic studies of how peer review works and doesn't aren't easy to get off the ground.

Aktuelle Forschung bleibt hinter Paywall

Aktuelle Forschung bleibt hinter Paywall

Kurz vor der Wahl hat der Bundesrat ein Gesetz durchgewunken, das wissenschaftlichen Urhebern mehr Rechte einräumt. Weder Forscher noch Verlage sind zufrieden damit.

A win for German science?

A win for German science?

The just-elected parliament will face several key decisions on research funding, which will have far-reaching consequences for German scientists. Several big funding programs run out between 2015 and 2019, and the next government will shape their replacements. There is broad support across parties, however, for continuing the programs in some form.

Sao Paulo's success story

Sao Paulo's success story

The success of Sao Paulo's way of funding science has made it a model throughout Brazil: Sao Paulo produces 50 per cent of Brazilian science through FAPESP which receives one per cent of state tax revenue. The model allows for long-term planning and other states are now emulating it.

Arbeitslose Akademiker: Topfschlagen im Niemandsland

Arbeitslose Akademiker: Topfschlagen im Niemandsland

Leiharbeiter mit Staatsexamen, Ingenieure in der Spülküche: Selbst Akademiker können arbeitslos werden - und zwar schneller, als sie ahnen. Wer einmal gezwungen ist, sich unter seiner Qualifikation zu verkaufen, sitzt in der Falle.

Why is science behind a paywall?

Why is science behind a paywall?

Scientists' work follows a consistent pattern. They apply for grants, perform their research, and publish the results in a journal. The process is so routine it almost seems inevitable. But what if it's not the best way to do science?

The future of scientific peer review (conference videos)

The future of scientific peer review (conference videos)

Discussion about open-access publishing and the future of scientific communication and peer-review at the Open Science Summit 2012.

Golden Goose awards announced for obscure science

Golden Goose awards announced for obscure science

The Golden Goose Award officially recognizes scientists in the U.S., whose federally funded basic research has led to innovations or inventions which have a significant impact on humanity or society.

Listen as Albert Einstein reads 'The Common Language of Science'

Listen as Albert Einstein reads 'The Common Language of Science'

Here's an extraordinary recording of Albert Einstein from the fall of 1941, reading a full-length essay in English.

'Beer goggle' study wins Ig Nobel

'Beer goggle' study wins Ig Nobel

A team of researchers who found that people think they are more attractive when drinking alcohol, have scooped an Ig Nobel prize for their work. The researchers from France and the US confirmed the "beer goggle effect" also works on oneself.

Research: A standard for policy-relevant science

Research: A standard for policy-relevant science

The increasing concern about unreliability in scientific literature is a problem for people like me - I am the science adviser to DEFRA, the UK government department for environment, food and rural affairs. To counsel politicians, I must recognize systematic bias in research.

What is good science? And what gets public funding?

What is good science? And what gets public funding?

I've heard that we should stop talking about "pure" science and "applied" science; that we should only be talking about "good" science and "bad" science. Last year, CSIRO Chief Executive Megan Clark said as much during question time at her National Press Club address, and this year I heard it recommended again at the Universities Australia Conference.

Navigating Collaborative Grant Research

Navigating Collaborative Grant Research

Marie and Pierre Curie, Watson and Crick, Brin and Page. Collaboration pays, so funding agencies are promoting team research. At the same time, fields that demand multidisciplinary cooperation such as translational medicine, climate science, and systems biology are on the rise.

Why You DON'T "Fucking Love Science"

Why You DON'T "Fucking Love Science"

So you think you love science, do you? What does that mean to you, exactly? For most people, I'm guessing it means something like data, and like countless "Principal Investigators" of the science world, you're confusing data with science.

Five tips for crowdfunding success

Five tips for crowdfunding success

With only one in five National Health and Medical Research Council ( NHMRC) grant applications successful, and a similar rate for Australian Research Council ( ARC) Discovery grants, it's little wonder researchers are looking to alternate forms of funding - one of which being crowdfunding.

US budget cuts laying off scientists

US budget cuts laying off scientists

A new joint survey out today found that nearly half (46%) of 3,165 scientists in the United States reported they've laid off scientists due to sequester budget cuts or they will have to lay off scientists. Also, more than 54% or those surveyed know a colleague who has lost his or her job or expects to soon.

US government slashes funding for marine mammal rescue

US government slashes funding for marine mammal rescue

Rescuers working on the front lines of massive marine mammal die-offs on both U.S. coasts have been dealt a hard blow during an already difficult year. On Tuesday, dozens of rescue centers learned they wouldn't be getting any federal financial help for the next year.

Canada's funding for science and technology slumps

Canada's funding for science and technology slumps

The latest Federal Scientific Activities report indicates that Canada's federal government expenditures on science and technology for 2013/2014 will decline 3.3 per cent from the previous year.

Scientists named Senatore a Vita

Scientists named Senatore a Vita

Italy - Two well-known Italian scientists have been appointed "senator for life" by President Giorgio Napolitano to honor their contributions to society. Physicist Carlo Rubbia, 79, and brain stem cell biologist Elena Cattaneo, 50, received the honor along with conductor Claudio Abbado and architect Renzo Piano on 30 August. Senators for life—o...

Harvard Business School case study

Harvard Business School case study

When the members of the Harvard Business School class of 2013 gathered in May to celebrate the end of their studies, there was little visible evidence of the experiment they had undergone for the last two years.