opinion articles

Send us a link

Subscribe to our newsletter

The Government seem more interested in our genes than our voices

The Government seem more interested in our genes than our voices

Policymakers are moving forward with plans to turn our genetic information into potentially lucrative data. Drawing on recent Freedom of Information disclosures, Edward Hockings and Lewis Coyne ask whether we can trust our institutions with our genomes.

The scientist's dilemma: can you be a parent, a partner, a friend #AndAScientist?

The scientist's dilemma: can you be a parent, a partner, a friend #AndAScientist?

The Royal Society’s new campaign highlights the importance of life outside the laboratory

Mismeasurement and Mismanagement Are Impeding Scientific Research

Mismeasurement and Mismanagement Are Impeding Scientific Research

The near-romantic spirit of adventure and exploration that inspired young scientists of my own and earlier generations has become tarnished.

Should All Research Papers Be Free?

Should All Research Papers Be Free?

Drawing comparisons to Edward Snowden, a graduate student from Kazakhstan named Alexandra Elbakyan is believed to be hiding out in Russia after illegally leaking millions of documents.

Staying Afloat in the Rising Tide of Science

Staying Afloat in the Rising Tide of Science

New York Times columnist and science writer Carl Zimmer discusses the challenges of effectively communicating with the public about science.

What if we let social media rate research?

What if we let social media rate research?

With citation indexes being routinely questioned, ‘alternative metrics’ could gain ground as a new indicator of research success. But can they be trusted?

Group dynamics: A lab of their own

Group dynamics: A lab of their own

The make-up of a lab is crucial to success in publishing its research — and now, scientists are exploring how to compose the best research group possible.

Error and Discovery: Why Repeating Can Be New

Error and Discovery: Why Repeating Can Be New

The fascinating story of the discovery of nuclear fission began with an error that earned Enrico Fermi (see picture) a Nobel Prize for the apparent but incorrect discovery of the transuranic elements. Careful repetition and extension of the experiments finally led to the correct interpretation by Hahn, Meitner, Strassmann, Frisch, and Bohr as an effect from nuclear fission of the “small impurity” of  (0.7 %) contained in natural uranium.

May excessive transparency damage Science?

May excessive transparency damage Science?

Science self-regulation allows detecting more quickly and accurately methodological flaws, fraudulent results and conflicts of interest that may affect the credibility of the discovery. However, it also opens room for disproportionate reactions.

Calculus Is So Last Century

Calculus Is So Last Century

Tianhui Michael Li and Allison Bishop write about the overemphasis on calculus in high school and college math courses. Statistics, linear algebra and algorithmic thinking are more valuable in the digital age.

This renowned mathematician is bent on proving academic journals can cost nothing

This renowned mathematician is bent on proving academic journals can cost nothing

New startups like this one are trying to disrupt traditional academic publishing.