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Which are the best universities in the world?

Which are the best universities in the world?

Last week saw the publication of the latest world university rankings. But until the purveyors of these league tables address the uncertainties in their data, no-one knows where they really stand. Opinion piece by Stephen Curry.

Nobel-Prize Winner Harold Varmus Talks Politics and Science

Nobel-Prize Winner Harold Varmus Talks Politics and Science

The cancer researcher reflects on the 2016 election, his experience as a political adviser, and the difficulties of communicating how science works.

Impact of referendum on immigration still uncertain

Impact of referendum on immigration still uncertain

Two and a half years ago now, a narrow majority of the Swiss electorate approved the so-called popular 'Stop Mass Immigration' initiative or MEI proposed by the Swiss People’s Party or SVP...

Advice for early-career peer reviewers

Advice for early-career peer reviewers

The peer-review system, despite its flaws, is a central component of the publication process. However, relatively little guidance is provided for early-career scientists on 2 important aspects of peer review:

A Primer on How (Not) to Normalize

A Primer on How (Not) to Normalize

Citation metrics are very influential and their normalization is a contentious issue. Each normalization approach has advantages and disadvantages that need to be understood for proper use of these metrics.

Making drug development less secretive could lead to quicker, cheaper therapies

Making drug development less secretive could lead to quicker, cheaper therapies

With the right investment, an open source drug discovery system might compete with the traditional pharmaceutical industry to deliver the drugs we need.

Give The Public What It Pays For

Give The Public What It Pays For

When you pay for something, you expect to receive it. Whether a physical good or a service, there is the rightful expectation that you will receive something in exchange for your money. The same should be true for scientific research.

Female Scientists Turn to Data to Fight Lack of Representation on Panels

Female Scientists Turn to Data to Fight Lack of Representation on Panels

One day in August 2015, the Princeton University neuroscientist Yael Niv saw an email notice of a conference on deep brain stimulation, a hot topic in treatment for depression and other mental disorders. Dr. Niv noticed that none of the 21 scientists scheduled to speak were women.This was not the first time Dr. Niv had lamented a skewed lineup.

The long march to open science

The long march to open science

Many researchers are positive about the new, burgeoning science culture, but they still hesitate to enter into an open exchange of knowledge. There are many reasons why – such as a lack of knowledge about data management and the fear of intellectual property theft.

The science–policy interface

The science–policy interface

How do we ensure the effective role of science in public policy-making? This well-worn, long-standing question reflects the fact that the answer is not simple. Later this month in Brussels, scientists and policy-makers will convene at the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) Forum to consider the most promising ways forward.

Truth in Science Publishing

Truth in Science Publishing

In this Perspective, Thomas C. Südhof describes some of the current challenges to the peer review system that have endangered public acceptance of science and discusses possible avenues to addressing these challenges.

Elsevier’s New Patent for Online Peer Review Throws a Scare Into Open-Source Advocates

Elsevier’s New Patent for Online Peer Review Throws a Scare Into Open-Source Advocates

The giant journal company said it was merely protecting its own proprietary system. But a wave of critics on social media said they were suspicious of its motives.

The delicate balancing act of research funding

The delicate balancing act of research funding

Many people see privately funded research as a threat to academic independence, but this is an incomplete view. Experts with close connections to politics and business are a logical consequence of a knowledge-based society. It is time for a fundamental debate on responsible research partnerships.

We should reward peer reviewers. But how?

We should reward peer reviewers. But how?

Peer review is a thankless task, but journals have been experimenting with accolades and cash incentives for scientists who serve as peer reviewers.

Science in the age of selfies

Science in the age of selfies

A time traveler from 1915 arriving in 1965 would have been astonished by the scientific theories and engineering technologies invented during that half century. One can only speculate, but it seems likely that few of the major advances that emerged during those 50 years were even remotely foreseeable in 1915.

Science Editor-in-Chief Highlights Need for Steady Science Funding

Science Editor-in-Chief Highlights Need for Steady Science Funding

In an editorial in the 26 August issue of the journal Science, Jeremy Berg, the journal's 20th editor-in-chief, examines the importance of funding science steadily, with predictable budget cycles that allow science-funding agencies to do long-term planning that research projects typically require.

Relative Citation Ratio - A Leap Forward in Research Metrics

Relative Citation Ratio - A Leap Forward in Research Metrics

There is no perfect metric.  There is no number or score which fully encapsulates the value, impact, or importance of a piece of research. While this statement might appear obvious, research evaluation and measurement are a fact of life for the scientific research community.

If we want to improve peer review, we'll need to invest in training

If we want to improve peer review, we'll need to invest in training

New reviewers are anxious to get some formal coaching before they start commenting the work of fellow academics.