Wellcome Trust announces major funding scheme changes
Early career researchers among those targeted for extra support
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Now Google wants your genome
For $25 a year, Google will keep a copy of any genome in the cloud.
Gutausgebildete sagen der Schweiz Goodbye
One out of eight highly skilled students emigrates from Switzerland. The big looser is the state. But where do they go?
Why isn't academic research free to everyone?
Scholarly articles, filled with indubitable knowledge and analysis, only exist for the general public behind pricey paywalls. So one lecturer is advocating for them to be free of charge.
Aaron Swartz was no criminal
One of Swartz' lawyers, writes about the spiteful and unreasonable charges that led to his suicide—and MIT's gutless support of his prosecutors.
Peer review is fraught with problems, and we need a fix
Problems and limitations of the traditional and alternative peer review methods.
Science journals have passed their expiration date
Technology has helped so many industries evolve over the past few decades, but scientific publishing, surprisingly, has hardly changed since the first journal article in 1665.
Researchers propose alternative way to allocate science funding
1. Give all scientists an annual, unconditional fixed amount of funding to conduct their research. 2. All funded scientists are obliged to donate a fixed percentage of all of the funding that they previously received to other researchers: the funding circulates through the community, converging on researchers that are expected to make the best use of it.
Finch report implementation & review
The Finch Report , the Government's acceptance of its key recommendations, the new RCUK policies on open access, and the consultation by the Funding Councils on possible open access requirements for material to be submitted to the REF expected in 2020, have changed the open access landscape in the UK.
How simple ideas lead to scientific discoveries
In a 7 mins talk, Adam Savage walks through two examples of profound scientific discoveries that came from simple methods anyone could have followed: the calculation of the Earth's circumference around 200 BC and the measurement of the speed of light in 1849.
US science agencies get some relief in 2014 budget
Physical science wins bigger increases than biomedical research.
EMBO at 50
50 years ago, the European Molecular Biology Organization was founded by leading scientists who wished to create a network of cooperation in molecular biology.
A new funding model for scientists
What scientist hasn’t dreamed of spending less time getting funding and more time doing research?
Does it matter that there aren't more women in science?
A bibliometric analysis in Nature purports to confirm that women scientists are discriminated against. But the full picture might be much more interesting.
No peeking...
Once upon a time, it was common for scientists to receive letters from researchers working in other institutions, asking for reprints of papers they had published ...
Qualität in der Forschung
Qualität in der Forschung
Vor bestehendem Wissen keinen Respekt zu haben, ist Merkmal hochwertiger Forschung. Die Realität zeigt, dass die Welt von diesem Idealzustand erschreckend weit entfernt ist.
Can peer review be improved?
Scientific publishing is under the spotlight at the moment. Is it time for change?
Welche wissenschaftliche Idee ist reif für den Ruhestand?
Der amerikanische Literaturagent John Brockman stellt der Cyber-Elite jedes Jahr seine Edge-Frage. Lesen Sie an dieser Stelle eine Auswahl der jüngsten aufregenden und überraschenden Antworten.
Accumulation of knowledge as a challenge to science policy
There are shifts in individual innovative productivity, which is manifested by the fact that the contribution of young scientists to science is getting smaller and – as a result of deepening of specialization – the dominance of teamwork increases.
Economics in the age of big data
Economics in the age of big data
The quality and quantity of data on economic activity are expanding.
What is it?
Open science is the concept of opening up all aspects of scientific research, to allow others to follow the process.
Ranking the rankings
International comparisons are popular, influential - and sometimes flawed
DIYBio comes of age
The next generation of DIYBio tools are coming, and this time they mean business.
Metrics survey reveals scepticism
There is widespread ‘scepticism’ about the use of metrics to assess research, according to new evidence.
Pioneering scientists share 35 mioCHF Breakthrough prize pot at US awards
Pioneering scientists share 35 mioCHF Breakthrough prize pot at US awards
Breakthrough Prizes may elevate scientists to rock-stars, showering the finest minds with lucrative awards.
Formula for success in scientific research
Formula for success in scientific research
Three girls whose passion has had award-winning and groundbreaking results offer tips for excelling at science
California leads to publicly funded research
California has become the first state to mandate open access for the products of taxpayer-funded research.
France prefers to pay (twice) for papers by its researchers
France may not have any money left for its universities but it does have money for academic publishers.
PLOS launches its Data Repository Integration Partner Program
PLOS launches its Data Repository Integration Partner Program
We announce the launch of a program which integrates our submission process with those of a select set of data repositories to better support data sharing.
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