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66 out of the 100 most cited papers are paywalled
The web was built specifically to share research papers amongst scientists. Despite this being the first goal of the modern web, most research is still published behind a paywall. We have recently highlighted famous math papers that reside behind a pa
Survey on challenges faced by young scientists
Weâre interested in hearing about the challenges faced by early-career scientists worldwide, especially if you've recently started your own lab, are struggling to maintain a lab, or have left research. We want to hear your stories. Your answers may feature in articles published by Nature's news team.
The long march to open science
Many researchers are positive about the new, burgeoning science culture, but they still hesitate to enter into an open exchange of knowledge. There are many reasons why – such as a lack of knowledge about data management and the fear of intellectual property theft.
The science–policy interface
How do we ensure the effective role of science in public policy-making? This well-worn, long-standing question reflects the fact that the answer is not simple. Later this month in Brussels, scientists and policy-makers will convene at the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) Forum to consider the most promising ways forward.
London's biomedical behemoth opens its doors
This week, the first of 1500 researchers and support staff begin moving into the largest biomedical research building in Europe, the £650 million Francis Crick Institute in London.
Elsevier’s New Patent for Online Peer Review Throws a Scare Into Open-Source Advocates
Elsevier’s New Patent for Online Peer Review Throws a Scare Into Open-Source Advocates
The giant journal company said it was merely protecting its own proprietary system. But a wave of critics on social media said they were suspicious of its motives.
Professor turns to novel writing as his research ‘had no impact’
Welfare state expert Peter Taylor-Gooby cheerfully admits his research has had no real-world influence – but hopes a book might.
Elsevier Awarded U.S. Patent For “Online Peer Review System and Method”
A few hours ago, 50 months after Elsevier submitted a patent application for an “Online peer review system and method” the patent was awarded to the company.
Stop ignoring misconduct
Efforts to reduce irreproducibility in research must also tackle the temptation to cheat.
Good Enough Practices in Scientific Computing
We present a set of computing tools and techniques that every researcher can and should adopt. These recommendations synthesize inspiration from our own work, from the experiences of the thousands of people who have taken part in Software Carpentry and Data Carpentry workshops over the past six years, and from a variety of other guides. Unlike some other guides, our recommendations are aimed specifically at people who are new to research computing.
Nobel Laureate Roger Tsien Dies
Nobel Laureate Roger Tsien Dies
One of the pioneers in developing fluorescent proteins for biological studies was 64 years old.
How has publishing changed in the last 20 years?
It is useful to consider the trajectory of both scientific and literary publishing on the grid-group plane defined by Mary Douglas which arranges attitudes along two axes: one ranging from the hierarchical to the egalitarian, and the other spanning individualistic to communitarian. I would contend that, in both cases, there has been a move from the hierarchical/communitarian quadrant towards the egalitarian/individualistic zone.
Science, research and innovation performance of the EU
A contribution to the open innovation, open science, open to the world agenda 2016.
Open Access law adopted
In France, the final text of a new law on Open Access has been adopted on June 29, 2016.
We Scientists Shape Science
Science has become a lot bigger and faster. Join us now to make it better @ the congress on 26 / 27 january 2017, Berne.
We should reward peer reviewers. But how?
We should reward peer reviewers. But how?
Peer review is a thankless task, but journals have been experimenting with accolades and cash incentives for scientists who serve as peer reviewers.
The value of the open science movement
Research creates its own problems. Articles may be withdrawn because of irregularities, results can be impossible to reproduce, methods are often non-standardised, and publications may not be accessible. The search is now on for solutions.
Science Editor-in-Chief Highlights Need for Steady Science Funding
In an editorial in the 26 August issue of the journal Science, Jeremy Berg, the journal's 20th editor-in-chief, examines the importance of funding science steadily, with predictable budget cycles that allow science-funding agencies to do long-term planning that research projects typically require.
Research watchdog's new leader faces staff revolt
The new director of the federal office that guards against misconduct in U.S.-funded biomedical research is aiming to shake things up—but is also encountering rough waters. Kathryn Partin, who took the helm of the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) in December 2015, has launched a top-to-bottom review of the office, which has been criticized for moving too slowly and meting out sanctions that lack teeth.
Truth in Science Publishing
In this Perspective, Thomas C. Südhof describes some of the current challenges to the peer review system that have endangered public acceptance of science and discusses possible avenues to addressing these challenges.
Preprint server bioRxiv receives additional major funding
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's free, not-for-profit preprint service bioRxiv has received generous additional financial support.
Go forth and replicate!
To make replication studies more useful, researchers must make more of them, funders must encourage them and journals must publish them.
A Simple Explanation for the Replication Crisis in Science
The replication crisis in science is largely attributable to a mismatch in our expectations of how often findings should replicate and how difficult it is to actually discover true findings in certain fields.
Relative Citation Ratio - A Leap Forward in Research Metrics
There is no perfect metric. There is no number or score which fully encapsulates the value, impact, or importance of a piece of research. While this statement might appear obvious, research evaluation and measurement are a fact of life for the scientific research community.