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Where is the brain in the Human Brain Project?

Where is the brain in the Human Brain Project?

Europe's €1-billion science and technology project needs to clarify its goals and establish transparent governance.

There is life after academia

There is life after academia

With high numbers of postdocs emerging from universities, prospective PhD students must be prepared for the fact that they will probably not end up with a career in research.

Put focus back on basic research, say science unions

Put focus back on basic research, say science unions

Survey of 12 countries shows discontent with governments that prioritize short-term rewards.

High-risk brain research wins NSF backing

High-risk brain research wins NSF backing

NSF awards $10.8 million in grants to support US government initiative.

Scientists and the social network

Scientists and the social network

Giant academic social networks have taken off to a degree that no one expected even a few years ago. A Nature survey explores why.

Assessing Science

Assessing Science

Earlier this year, at a symposium organized by Nature in Melbourne, Australia, a group of leading academics, funders and government advisers discussed how research outcomes are measured. This Nature Outlook was influenced by these debates.

Transparency promised for vilified impact factor

Transparency promised for vilified impact factor

Thomson Reuters vows to be clearer about how science's most misused metric is calculated.

Uprooting researchers can drive them out of science

Uprooting researchers can drive them out of science

Making early-career scientists change institutions frequently is disruptive and — with modern technology — unnecessary.

South America by the numbers

South America by the numbers

The expanding economies of South America have led to a significant rise in scientific output over the past two decades, and research spending has increased in most countries. But given the region's share of the world's population and GDP, publication rates still fall short of what would be expected.