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Why the United States is Having a Coronavirus Data Crisis

Why the United States is Having a Coronavirus Data Crisis

Political meddling and years of neglect of public-health data management mean the country is flying blind.

Challenge to Scientists: Does Your Ten-year-old Code Still Run?

Challenge to Scientists: Does Your Ten-year-old Code Still Run?

Missing documentation and obsolete environments force participants in the Ten Years Reproducibility Challenge to get creative.

China's Research-misconduct Rules Target 'paper Mills' That Churn out Fake Studies

China's Research-misconduct Rules Target 'paper Mills' That Churn out Fake Studies

China’s science ministry is set to introduce its most comprehensive rules so far for dealing with research misconduct. The measures, which come into effect next month, outline what constitute violations and appropriate punishments. But critics say that enforcement will continue to be a problem.

A Diverse View of Science to Catalyse Change

A Diverse View of Science to Catalyse Change

Valuing diversity leads to scientific excellence, the progress of science and, most importantly, it is simply the right thing to do. We must value diversity not only in words, but also in actions.

Signs of 'citation Hacking' Flagged in Scientific Papers

Signs of 'citation Hacking' Flagged in Scientific Papers

An algorithm developed to spot abnormal patterns of citations aims to find scientists who have manipulated reference lists.

Russia's Fast-track Coronavirus Vaccine Draws Outrage over Safety

Russia's Fast-track Coronavirus Vaccine Draws Outrage over Safety

The immunization is the first approved for widespread use but could be dangerous because it hasn't been tested in large trials, say researchers.

NSF Grant Changes Raise Alarm About Commitment to Basic Research

NSF Grant Changes Raise Alarm About Commitment to Basic Research

The US National Science Foundation's new focus on computer science could also put already-under-represented groups at a disadvantage, critics say.

How the Coronavirus is Gutting Diversity in Science

How the Coronavirus is Gutting Diversity in Science

The pandemic is sabotaging the careers of researchers from under-represented groups, but institutions can help to staunch the outflow.

The Mysterious Case of Man Who Can Read Letters, but Not Numbers, exposes Roots of Consciousness

The Mysterious Case of Man Who Can Read Letters, but Not Numbers, exposes Roots of Consciousness

With a condition that's "too strange for words," patient can do mental math but cannot recognize numerals.

Fifteen to One: How Many Applications It Can Take to Land a Single Academic Job Offer

Fifteen to One: How Many Applications It Can Take to Land a Single Academic Job Offer

Survey finds that standard metrics of success can't completely explain why some candidates get offers and others don't.

Too Many Senior White Academics Still Resist Recognizing Racism

Too Many Senior White Academics Still Resist Recognizing Racism

As a Black woman who is the chair of a university science department, people have questioned my right to exist at every stage.

The Explosion of New Coronavirus Tests That Could Help to End the Pandemic

The Explosion of New Coronavirus Tests That Could Help to End the Pandemic

Researchers are scrambling to find other ways to diagnose the coronavirus and churn out millions of tests a week - a key step in returning to normality.

The Best Time to Argue About What a Replication Means? Before You Do It

The Best Time to Argue About What a Replication Means? Before You Do It

To avoid stalemates and provide lessons, replicators and original researchers must reach agreement on a study design and set out expectations ahead of time.

Unequal Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Scientists

Unequal Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Scientists

COVID-19 has not affected all scientists equally. A survey of principal investigators indicates that female scientists, those in the 'bench sciences' and, especially, scientists with young children experienced a substantial decline in time devoted to research. This could have important short- and longer-term effects on their careers, which institution leaders and funders need to address carefully.

Women Are Most Affected by Pandemics - Lessons from Past Outbreaks

Women Are Most Affected by Pandemics - Lessons from Past Outbreaks

The social and economic impacts of COVID-19 fall harder on women than on men. Governments need to gather data and target policy to keep all citizens equally safe, sheltered and secure.

Just Before a Massive Outbreak, a California Prison Declined Free Coronavirus Tests and Urgent Advice

Just Before a Massive Outbreak, a California Prison Declined Free Coronavirus Tests and Urgent Advice

San Quentin prison is dealing with the third-largest coronavirus outbreak in the United States: researchers fear that other prisons are at risk.