'Exaggerations' Threaten Public Trust in Science
David Spiegelhalter, president of Royal Statistical Society, says sloppy attitude to statistics leads to misleading claims and draws parallels to rise of fake news
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Is the Staggeringly Profitable Business of Scientific Publishing Bad for Science?
Is the Staggeringly Profitable Business of Scientific Publishing Bad for Science?
It is an industry like no other, with profit margins to rival Google – and it was created by one of Britain’s most notorious tycoons: Robert Maxwell.
In a World Ruled by Rumour, it Is Vital that Scientists Speak with Humility and Clarity
In a World Ruled by Rumour, it Is Vital that Scientists Speak with Humility and Clarity
Facts are the science world’s stock-in-trade, but in an era of fake news it is ever more important to build public trust by avoiding exaggerated claims and jargon.
Why We Can't Trust Academic Journals to Tell the Scientific Truth
Academic journals don’t select the research they publish on scientific rigour alone. So why aren’t academics taking to the streets about this?
Dozens of Recent Clinical Trials May Contain Wrong or Falsified Data, Claims Study
Fresh concerns over reliability of papers published in journals as suspicious statistical patterns prompt investigations into some of the identified trials
Essential to Good Science
Peer review recognition company Publons is set to expand under new owners. Could this boost peer review and stop it being seen as an onerous, thankless task?
It's Time for Academics to Take Back Control of Research Journals
The evolution to a high-profit industry was never planned. Academics need to make the case for lower-cost journals.
The Meaning of Life in a World Without Work
As technology renders jobs obsolete, what will keep us busy? Sapiens author Yuval Noah Harari examines ‘the useless class’ and a new quest for purpose
Why Open Source Pharma Is the Path to Both Cheaper and New Medicines
Breaking the cycle in which only highly profitable drugs reach the market is not just the responsibility of government.
They Will Pay as Much Attention to Us as We Do to Ants
Jürgen Schmidhuber says artificial intelligence will surpass humans’ in 2050, enabling robots to have fun, fall in love – and colonise the galaxy.
Can Pre-School Children Learn to do Science?
Science isn’t just about explosions. But can children as young as 3 understand what it’s really about?
Dear Anonymous Peer-Reviewer, Your Criticism Made Me a Better Researcher
Dear Anonymous Peer-Reviewer, Your Criticism Made Me a Better Researcher
When I first received one of your reports, I lay on the couch hugging a cushion. Then rage set in and I wanted to prove you wrong.
First UK Licence to Create Three-Person Baby Granted by Fertility Regulator
IVF technique uses DNA from three people to prevent genetic diseases being passed on, and could be offered by Newcastle clinic from this summer.
Google’s DeepMind Makes AI Program That Can Learn Like A Human
Program brings artificial general intelligence a step closer by using previous knowledge to solve fresh problems
How Can We Tackle the Thorny Problem of Fraudulent Research?
Misconduct in academia isn’t rampant but should be taken more seriously: let’s consider independent anti-corruption units
Tim Berners-Lee: I Invented the Web. Here Are 3 Things We Need to Change to Save It
It has taken all of us to build the web we have, and now it is up to all of us to build the web we want – for everyone
The History of Women in Science Shows Us the Fight Is Worth It
The ability to participate in science has always been political. On International Women’s Day, scientists must decide how best to defend women’s rights
‘I Want Science To Happen Faster’
Jeremy Freeman, a neuroscientist from the multimillion-dollar research project set up by the Facebook founder to find global health solutions, talks about his goals
The Hi-Tech War on Science Fraud
The problem of fake data may go far deeper than scientists admit. Now a team of researchers has a controversial plan to root out the perpetrators
Climate Scientists Face Harassment, Threats and Fears of 'McCarthyist Attacks'
Researchers will have to deal with attacks from a range of powerful foes in the coming years – and for many, it has already started.
All Eyes Are on Sir Mark Walport, the New Supremo of UK Science
Now we know the identity of the chief executive of UK Research and Innovation, the science community will be anxiously watching his first steps.
The High-Tech War on Science Fraud
The problem of fake data may go far deeper than scientists admit. Now a team of researchers has a controversial plan to root out the perpetrators
A Crisis of Trust Is Looming Between Scientists and Society
It’s vital to improve public trust in science and expertise. But science is increasingly complex, and getting harder to explain.
Unsackable Senior Staff Make Life Even Harder for Junior Academics
As expectations of early career researchers rise ever higher, some established colleagues are failing to pull their weight.
How Statistics Lost Their Power – and Why We Should Fear What Comes Next
Are we leaving behind the age of statistics, and entering a new age of big data controlled by private companies?
Science Falling Victim To 'Crisis of Narcissism'
Cut-throat atmosphere in world-class labs and conferences closer to House of Cards than Big Bang Theory, says Swiss academic
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