Should we put our money where our citations are?
Pros and cons of an alternative for today’s method of allocating research funds using peer review.
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Why we need badges in science
There's a lot that gets done that goes unrecognized. That unrecognized work can not only be crucial for getting to the actual research outcome put forward in the form of publications, but also for reflecting important skills gained.
MozFest: Bringing the Web to Science
MozFest: Bringing the Web to Science
October 24-26, London
When research goes viral
The PLOS Pathogens team reflects on their most widely shared article and the benefits and pitfalls of sharing science research on social media.
Policy design and implementation monitoring
We know that those Open Access policies that work are the ones that have teeth. Both institutional and funder policies work better when tied to reporting requirements.
Researcher's death shocks Japan
One of Japan's top stem cell researchers, died in an apparent suicide. He was famous for his ability to coax embryonic stem cells to differentiate into other cell types.
US Department of Energy frees up access to research
The US Department of Energy has revealed how papers from research it funds will become free to read.
'Impact': prestige or relevance for developing world research?
The release of the 2014 Impact Factor Report was being awaited, as usual, with some anticipation. Yet this comes at a time when there is an ever-rising tide of contestation about its value in a radically changing research environment, especially in the developing world.
What does the new European Commission and Parliament mean for science?
It has been a busy couple of weeks across the European Union, but what does that mean for science?
Untangling EU research funding and science policy
Simple explanation of the basic workings of the European Commission and how EU policy relates to science and research.
Global scientific output doubles every nine years
It's a common complaint among academics: today's researchers are publishing too much, too fast. But just how fast is the mass of scientific output actually growing?
Discrimination starts even before grad school, study finds
Instructors at 259 US institutions were, on average, more likely to respond to fake email requests for mentoring if the senders' names sounded white and male.
Evidence-based science policy
Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser to the European Commission, discusses evidence-based policy and nurturing and supporting a European scientific culture.
Biologist claims controversial stem-cell method works
A Hong Kong developmental biologist says he has succeeded in reproducing a method of reprogramming cells to an embryonic like state by applying mechanical stress.
Post publication peer review
New scientists have grown up commenting on their friends pictures, their silly comments on Facebook and their favorite YouTube videos. Will this practice carry over into their scientific publishing?
The new dilemma: too many places to post?
The new dilemma: too many places to post?
As online comments on newly published research become widespread, a new dilemma faces scientists wanting to enter the electronic fray: where to comment, and in what format for maximum impact?
Elsevier admits it has been mis-selling open access and will be contacting mis-sold customers
Elsevier admits it has been mis-selling open access and will be contacting mis-sold customers
Comment of Elsevier's Director of Access and Policy on a blog
Budget sees boosts for data science, graphene and cell therapy
George Osborne continued his trend of throwing small crumbs of funding to science and technology while at the same time failing to announce either long-term support for basic science or a strategy to develop UK industrial research
Senate confirms France Córdova as NSF director
The US Senate confirmed astrophysicist France Córdova to lead the agency, roughly a year after former director Subra Suresh resigned mid-term.
US$21 million awarded to delighted scientists in glitzy ceremony
Founders of Google and Facebook award ‘Breakthrough prize’ of $3 million to Michael Hall of the University of Basel in a ceremony hosted by actor Kevin Spacey and featuring a live performance from singer Lana Del Ray.
I Do Not Want an Initiative, I Want Open Access
I am interested in copyright law, and especially interested in the inefficiencies and loopholes that have developed in a majority of creative industries as they have undergone the shift from analog to digital formats.
United Nations embraces science's best minds
Just another talking club or a genuine attempt to give science more weight in policy matters of global importance? Time will tell whether the United Nations' newly created scientific advisory board, whose members were announced last week, will indeed influence the business of international policy-making in practice.
Russia pins hopes on new space-agency chief
Dmitry Medvedev appointed Oleg Ostapenko as new director of Russia's crisis-ridden space agency, Roscosmos.
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