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'Superagency' May Further Politicize Indonesian Research

'Superagency' May Further Politicize Indonesian Research

Indonesia has dismantled its science ministry and created an overarching national research agency, a move some scientists worry will strengthen political control over research in a country where academic freedom is already under pressure and politics have taken an authoritarian turn.

Open-access Publisher PLOS Pushes to Extend Clout Beyond Biomedicine

Open-access Publisher PLOS Pushes to Extend Clout Beyond Biomedicine

The publisher will launch five new journals, and has introduced a new business model that aims to spread the cost of publishing more fairly.

Beyond Vaccines, UNESCO Wants More Global Science Shared

Beyond Vaccines, UNESCO Wants More Global Science Shared

While the U.S. president is calling for suspending patents on COVID-19 vaccines, experts at UNESCO are quietly working on a more ambitious plan: a new global system for sharing scientific knowledge that would outlast the current pandemic.

You Can't Dissect a Virtual Cadaver

You Can't Dissect a Virtual Cadaver

Last year, my first in medical school at Columbia University, I used a bone saw to slice through the top half of a cadaver's skull, revealing a gray brain lined with purple blood vessels. This was Clinical Gross Anatomy, the first-year course that has fascinated or devastated (or both) every medical student. You never forget the day you open the skull.

7th World Conference on Research Integrity, 30 May – 2 June

7th World Conference on Research Integrity, 30 May – 2 June

This is a series of webinars on six engaging and relevant topics as a precursor to a live event in 2022. These discussions will form part of the broader RI dialogue, and set a foundation we hope to build on in Cape Town when the RI community gather to – at long last – meet in person. 

Nasa Spacecraft Leaves Asteroid Bennu with a Belly Full of Space Rock Samples

Nasa Spacecraft Leaves Asteroid Bennu with a Belly Full of Space Rock Samples

Osiris-Rex has been flying around the ancient asteroid since 2018 and collected nearly a pound of rubble last fall

Revisiting: Challenges for Academics in the "Global South"

Revisiting: Challenges for Academics in the "Global South"

Revisiting a 2018 post discussing that for social science and humanities researchers in many parts of the world there are significant barriers to conducting and sharing research, in some cases more so than for science and medicine. In this revisited guest post, Dr. Naveen Minai provides a perspective as a gender studies researcher in Pakistan.

Sex, Mars, the Universe and Our Next 500 Years: A Plan

Sex, Mars, the Universe and Our Next 500 Years: A Plan

American geneticist Chris Mason says we have a moral duty to preserve life in all its forms. He proposes a 500-year plan to hack life and survive on Mars.

'Irresponsible': Nasa Chides China As Rocket Debris Lands in Indian Ocean

'Irresponsible': Nasa Chides China As Rocket Debris Lands in Indian Ocean

US agency accuses Beijing of failing to meet expected standards regarding its space debris

Groundbreaking Cat Science Shows They Love to Sit in Illusory Boxes, Too

Groundbreaking Cat Science Shows They Love to Sit in Illusory Boxes, Too

Our feline friends certainly wow us with their cleverness - they can fetch things, open doors, navigate seemingly impossible obstacles, and even understand basic instructions (when they feel like it, anyway).

U.S. Will Back Proposal to Waive Covid-19 Vaccine Patent Rights

U.S. Will Back Proposal to Waive Covid-19 Vaccine Patent Rights

The decision by the Biden administration to support the proposal comes after months of fruitless talks at the World Trade Organization.

Open Access Publishing is the Ethical Choice

Open Access Publishing is the Ethical Choice

When Martin Eve had a stroke five years ago, paywalls prevented him researching his condition. He argues that the current system is patronising, elitist, and needs to change.

Research Funding in Focus: Even More Transparent Thanks to Data Stories

Research Funding in Focus: Even More Transparent Thanks to Data Stories

The SNSF meticulously examines its funding activities. From now on, it will publish these analyses on its data portal. To kick things off, Open Access, ERC grants and women scientists during the pandemic are in focus.

China's Rocket: Uncontrolled, Unpredictable Return Home

China's Rocket: Uncontrolled, Unpredictable Return Home

It's impossible to predict when and where China's Long March 5 rocket, a CZ-5B, will crash down to Earth. But it will. The question is: What's the risk?

Manage Your Affiliations with a Few Simple Clicks

Manage Your Affiliations with a Few Simple Clicks

Can you upload a CSV file? Are you an ORCID Consortia Member? Then you can add affiliation data to your researchers' records with our Affiliation Manager!

How We Embarked on a Long-distance Relationship on Behalf of Our Research Career

How We Embarked on a Long-distance Relationship on Behalf of Our Research Career

Many scientist couples move abroad together, but Gidiane Scaratti and Rafael Kenji Nishihora chose to live and work in different countries. This is what they learnt.

Brazil: Was There Sloppiness with the Sputnik V COVID Vaccine?

Brazil: Was There Sloppiness with the Sputnik V COVID Vaccine?

Brazil has halted approval of Sputnik V, saying that a vector virus in the vaccine was not inactive and could cause severe colds. Russia has denied the accusation.