news

Send us a link

Subscribe to our newsletter

The Limits of "Following the Science"

The Limits of "Following the Science"

Two years into the pandemic, the idea of "following the science" has oversimplified what's actually a complex array of factors that policymakers must weigh in formulating a response. Many other factors play into making pandemic policy.

For LGBQ Scientists, Being Out Can Mean More Publications

For LGBQ Scientists, Being Out Can Mean More Publications

Papers are a key currency for academic careers. LGBQ academic scientists who don’t disclose their sexual orientation in the workplace publish fewer papers than their out or non-LGBQ peers.

EU Suspends Research Payments to Russian Partners

EU Suspends Research Payments to Russian Partners

The European Commission has suspended payments to Russian institutions involved in EU-funded research and innovation projects. In addition, the EU will not launch any new cooperation projects with Russian universities, research institutes and companies.

The View from Kyiv: Head of Ukraine's Research Agency Calls for International Help

The View from Kyiv: Head of Ukraine's Research Agency Calls for International Help

Science in Ukraine has come to a halt. Russia's invasion has crippled the country's newly established research agency and forced its leader to a bomb shelter in Kyiv.

Europe Divided on Whether to Isolate Russia Scientifically

Europe Divided on Whether to Isolate Russia Scientifically

Governments, universities and individual academics across Europe over are being forced to choose whether to cut research ties with Russia after Moscow shocked the scientific community with its assault on Ukraine. Germany, Russia's second biggest research collaborator after the US, has said it will halt all scientific cooperation, while the UK is reviewing its links.

Genetic Databases Are Too White. Here's What It'll Take to Fix This.

Genetic Databases Are Too White. Here's What It'll Take to Fix This.

Most genetic research is done on people of European descent. That's led to misdiagnoses, inaccurate tests, and missed opportunities for new treatments.

Limiting the Damage: UN Helps Policy-makers Tackle Climate Change

Limiting the Damage: UN Helps Policy-makers Tackle Climate Change

As extreme weather events become commonplace, threatening communities and economies across the world, the UN is helping policy-makers and leaders by projecting the impact of future climate hazards, and recommending the best, most cost-effective ways to adapt.

Will Musk's Starlink Save Ukraine, SpaceX Save the ISS?

Will Musk's Starlink Save Ukraine, SpaceX Save the ISS?

Tech tycoon Elon Musk has indicated he will protect the internet in Ukraine and the world from the International Space Station if it crashes to Earth. But how?

Wanted: Better Systems for Turning Evidence into Action

Wanted: Better Systems for Turning Evidence into Action

The pandemic created a colossal demand for scientific evidence to inform decision-making. Now researchers are mapping out what went wrong and what needs to change.

Thinktank Linked to Tech Giant Canon Under Pressure to Remove 'dangerous' Climate Articles

Thinktank Linked to Tech Giant Canon Under Pressure to Remove 'dangerous' Climate Articles

Exclusive: Some Canon Institute for Global Studies posts call the climate crisis 'fake news' and compare Greta Thunberg to a communist

Precipitation Effects on Grassland Plant Performance Are Lessened by Hay Harvest

Precipitation Effects on Grassland Plant Performance Are Lessened by Hay Harvest

Climate and human management, such as hay harvest, shape grasslands. With both disturbances co-occurring, understanding how these ecosystems respond to these combined drivers may aid in projecting future changes in grasslands. 

WEF Young Scientists Call to Address Missing Link Between Policy and Science

WEF Young Scientists Call to Address Missing Link Between Policy and Science

Scientists from the World Economic Forum's Young Scientists community want to see the social value of scientific research better recognised and acknowledged. Published today by Frontiers Policy Labs, a call has been signed by 52 scholars from some of the world's foremost academic institutions. The signatories say that for science to become rooted in decision-making, a new culture of engagement between policymakers and scientists needs to be established.

Building Trust in Science

Building Trust in Science

Engaging citizens in research will be a big priority for the new Horizon Europe funding programme. Horizon Europe includes a €2 million research call for recommendations to strengthen societal trust in science, research and innovation, while the programme is also seeking to encourage more public participation in scientific research.

Spain Sets out to Overhaul Research Careers

Spain Sets out to Overhaul Research Careers

Spain has set out to improve the lives of its researchers after years of hand to mouth existence and a brain drain that has significantly weakened the public research sector.   A reform of a 2011 law will see young researchers getting permanent contracts, recognition of experience gained abroad and new labour rights. At the same time, there will be increased public spending on research.   

Discussion Begins in Brussels over Science Sanctions on Russia

Discussion Begins in Brussels over Science Sanctions on Russia

Discussions are underway in Brussels over whether Russia should be cut out of future Horizon Europe projects after president Vladimir Putin recognised two separatist-held parts of Ukraine as sovereign states and requested permission from parliament to send in troops on a mission.

Ukrainian Scientists Fear for Their Lives and Future Amid Russian Threat

Ukrainian Scientists Fear for Their Lives and Future Amid Russian Threat

Researchers say that conflict will hinder progress made since Ukraine's revolution in 2014.

Stop Using Anecdotal Evidence in Conversations About Gender

Stop Using Anecdotal Evidence in Conversations About Gender

Let data guide discussions on equality, say Juliana Hipólito and Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas.

How Politics, Society, and Tech Shape the Path of Climate Change

How Politics, Society, and Tech Shape the Path of Climate Change

Public perceptions of climate change, the future cost and effectiveness of climate mitigation and technologies, and how political institutions respond to public pressure are all important determinants of how climate will change, according to a new study.

Swiss Back Creation of Global Body on Plastic Pollution

Swiss Back Creation of Global Body on Plastic Pollution

Some 15 countries, including Switzerland, have proposed the creation of a "Science-Policy Panel" to deal with chemical waste and plastic pollution.

The Covid Treatment Pill is Here - and Big Pharma Will Ultimately Decide Who Gets It | Othoman Mellouk

The Covid Treatment Pill is Here - and Big Pharma Will Ultimately Decide Who Gets It | Othoman Mellouk

Experts are predicting demand for life-saving antiviral drugs will rapidly outpace supply. Like the vaccine, the poorest countries will be left until last, says medicine access advocate Othoman Mellouk

Is It Time to Live with COVID-19? Some Scientists Warn of 'Endemic Delusion'

Is It Time to Live with COVID-19? Some Scientists Warn of 'Endemic Delusion'

As pandemic restrictions lift, researchers stress the need to prepare for the next variant