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Gather and use genetic data in health care

Gather and use genetic data in health care

An article on what is needed for personalized medicine to be reality. "Research into how genetic variants can guide successful treatments must become part of routine medical practice and records", says Geoffrey Ginsburg.

Science tools anyone can afford

Science tools anyone can afford

"Today people look at these extraordinary labs and forget that in the 1800s they could still do the exact same science." -- Manu Prakash

The cost of academic publishing

The cost of academic publishing

What could the UK academic community do with £14.5 million? That is what just 19 Universities in the UK are spending in total during a single year on journal subscriptions to a single publisher.

Tobacco industry-funded research, peer review, and nannying

Tobacco industry-funded research, peer review, and nannying

Aside from the occasional cigar (once every five years or so), I'm one of those smug "never smoked" gits. You then might think that I'm all for plain packaging, not publishing tobacco industry-funded research, and completely against the " normalization" of smoking via the evidently evil medium of e-cigarettes.

The sexiest job of the 21st century

The sexiest job of the 21st century

The sudden appearance of data scientists on the business scene reflects the fact that companies are now wrestling with information that comes in varieties and volumes never encountered before.

Eight (no, nine!) problems with big data

Eight (no, nine!) problems with big data

There is no doubt that big data is a valuable tool that has already had a critical impact in certain areas. But because of its popularity, we need to be levelheaded about what big data can and can’t do.

Evidence-based science policy

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.

Die offene Wissenschaft und ihre Freunde

Die offene Wissenschaft und ihre Freunde

Open Access, Open Science, Science 2.0 - die Titel, unter denen vom Internet eine Beschleunigung des Erkenntnisgewinns erwartet wird, sind vielfältig. Doch wem nützen die entsprechenden Techniken?

In numbers we trust?

In numbers we trust?

Scientists go to great lengths to ensure that data are collected and analysed properly, so why do they apply different standards to data about the number of times research papers have been cited and viewed?

'Philanthropy Is no substitute for government funding'

'Philanthropy Is no substitute for government funding'

There has been an upsurge in philanthropy for scientific research by America's billionaires. Still, in size and scope, philanthropy pales in comparison to public financing for science.

Why I don't care about Open Access to research and why you should

Why I don't care about Open Access to research and why you should

Should paywalls stand between the taxpaying public and publicly funded research? Congress recently decided that the answer should be "no."

We need more scientific mavericks

We need more scientific mavericks

Scientific mavericks once played an essential role in research. We must relearn how to support them and provide new options for an unforeseeable future.

Don't hide the decline

Don't hide the decline

US scientists should not be placated by the ‘flat budget’ myth. Funds are decreasing, and the situation will get worse.

Incoming NSF director faces challenges in Congress

Incoming NSF director faces challenges in Congress

Former Purdue University president France Córdova inherits an agency at a crossroads.

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?

Industry-funded academic inventions boost innovation

Industry-funded academic inventions boost innovation

Brian D. Wright and colleagues present data challenging the assumption that corporate-funded academic research is less accessible and useful to others.

Billionaires with big ideas are privatizing American science

Billionaires with big ideas are privatizing American science

As government financing of basic science research has plunged, private donors have filled the void, raising questions about the future of research for the public good.