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Where Science and Nonsense Collide

Where Science and Nonsense Collide

After a decade of progress, Argentina’s scientists are battling a government bent on twisting public conceptions of their role.

Why STEM Majors Need the Humanities

Why STEM Majors Need the Humanities

It’s often argued that studying the liberal arts will enrich the life of the mind. For STEM majors, it can also give them a practical advantage in their careers.

Scientists Loved and Loathedby an Agrochemical Giant

Scientists Loved and Loathedby an Agrochemical Giant

With corporate funding of research, “there’s no scientist who comes out of this unscathed.”

Does Peer Review Help Weed Out Bad Science?

Does Peer Review Help Weed Out Bad Science?

Peer-review had a role to play when journals were all in print and competing for subscription real estate, but today it may be little more than a vestige of the print era.

Scientific Papers Need Better Feedback Systems. Here's Why

Scientific Papers Need Better Feedback Systems. Here's Why

The current peer-review system is limited to asking two people for their opinions - this is not enough.

Why Scientists Must Learn to Communicate With the Public

Why Scientists Must Learn to Communicate With the Public

Evading science communication simply because it is difficult, time-consuming or not important enough reflects more on how much scientists value their own work and its place in posterity.

Scientists should not resign themselves to Brexit

Scientists should not resign themselves to Brexit

Leaving the European Union is not yet a done deal, and UK researchers must look past a pay-off and take a stand, says Colin Macilwain.

Why Researchers Should Resolve to Engage in 2017

Why Researchers Should Resolve to Engage in 2017

Debates over climate change and genome editing present the need for researchers to venture beyond their comfort zones to engage with citizens — and they should receive credit for doing so.

The Health Data Conundrum

The Health Data Conundrum

There's quite a paradox when it comes to our health data. Most of us still cannot readily look at it, but there’s been an epidemic of cybercriminals and thieves hacking and stealing this most personal information. By Eric Topol.

Lessons From Serving on NSF Panels

Lessons From Serving on NSF Panels

Last year, I served on a couple NSF panels*, and I’d like to share some thoughts. Instead of a coherent narrative, I’ll just give a bulleted set of observations and ideas.

A Peek Inside the Strange World of Fake Academia

A Peek Inside the Strange World of Fake Academia

Mr. Beall’s website, which identifies “predatory open access scholarly publishers” that masquerade as scholarly journals, has grown to 923 publishers from 18 in 2011.

Ten Simple Rules for Considering Preprints

Ten Simple Rules for Considering Preprints

So why make your work available as preprints? There are perceived positives and negatives to disclosing scientific work in the form of a preprint, explored here in the form of 10 Simple Rules.

Europe Should Hold Fast to Its Scientific Ambitions

Europe Should Hold Fast to Its Scientific Ambitions

The EU’s fresh round of billion-euro Flagship research projects must be open to all types of science.

Who Will Be The Next Director of the NIH?

Who Will Be The Next Director of the NIH?

This January will not only mark a new year but a new administration and with that over 4000 new presidential appointees across the federal government.  One appointment that has the potential to either hinder or benefit the biomedical research community is that of the director of the National Institutes of Health.

Scientists Need to Wake Up to the Opportunities of Brexit

Scientists Need to Wake Up to the Opportunities of Brexit

It’s easy for UK researchers to focus on the downsides of leaving the EU. A House of Lords report today calls for a more positive approach.

Let's Speed Up Science by Embracing Open Access Publishing

Let's Speed Up Science by Embracing Open Access Publishing

Open access publishing that permits commercial reuse enables the kinds of public-private partnerships that are essential to scientific innovation.

The Journal Impact Factor Should Not Be Discarded

The Journal Impact Factor Should Not Be Discarded

The Journal Impact Factor (JIF) has been heavily criticized over decades. This opinion piece argues that the JIF should not be demonized. It still can be employed for research evaluation purposes by carefully considering the context and academic environment.

Brexit By The Numbers: The Fear of Brain Drain

Brexit By The Numbers: The Fear of Brain Drain

Evidence to parliamentary inquiry puts some figures on the uncertainty hanging over EU university staff.