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English is the Common Language of Science. That Comes at a Cost for Scientists and the Planet

English is the Common Language of Science. That Comes at a Cost for Scientists and the Planet

English is the common language of science, but it comes with downsides for scientists and our planet.

The Home Science Labs of English Noblewomen

The Home Science Labs of English Noblewomen

In the eighteenth century, elite women with a scientific bent often turned to distilling medicines, a craft that helped them participate in experimentation.

"Just Get the Admin to Do It." Why Research Managers Are Feeling Misunderstood

"Just Get the Admin to Do It." Why Research Managers Are Feeling Misunderstood

Science benefits when there is mutual respect between academics and research managers. Team Science, a six-part series, begins by examining a key workplace relationship.

Riding the Whirlwind: BMJ's Policy on Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Publishing

Riding the Whirlwind: BMJ's Policy on Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Publishing

BMJ will consider content created with artificial intelligence only if the use is clearly described and reasonable Artificial intelligence (AI) can rival human knowledge, accuracy, speed, and choices when carrying out tasks. The latest generative AI tools are trained on large quantities of data and use machine learning techniques such as logical reasoning, knowledge representation, planning, and natural language processing. They can produce text, code, and other media such as graphics, images, audio, or video. Large language models (LLMs), which are a form of AI, are able to search, extract, generate, summarise, translate, and rewrite text or code rapidly. They can answer complex questions (called prompts) at search engine speeds that the human mind cannot match. AI is transforming our world, and we are not yet fully able to comprehend or harness its power. It is a whirlwind sweeping up all before it. Availability of LLMs such as ChatGPT, and growing awareness of their capabilities, is challenging many industries, including academic publishing. The potential benefits for content creation are clear, such as the …

Comparing Data Policy Priorities Around the World

Comparing Data Policy Priorities Around the World

There are important differences in how countries treat and value data. This report compares key data policies in China, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

White House seeks input on tightening rules for risky pathogen research

White House seeks input on tightening rules for risky pathogen research

Request for comment suggests government may soften controversial proposed restrictions.

The Party Rules: China's New Central Science and Technology Commission

The Party Rules: China's New Central Science and Technology Commission

In March 2023, the Chinese government issued the “Reform Measures of the Party and State Organizations,” which included the establishment of the Central Science and Technology Commission (CSTC). 

Supporting open science in the Arab world

Supporting open science in the Arab world

The Arab region comprises 22 member states across the Gulf, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Although economic circumstances, and available human, physical and digital capacities vary widely across these 22 states, the region as a whole has the resources and capability to play a pivotal role in the global transition towards more accessible, sustainable and inclusive research and education models.

When Aggression is Viewed As Brilliance, It Hurts Women in Science, and Science Itself

When Aggression is Viewed As Brilliance, It Hurts Women in Science, and Science Itself

Tearing down ideas is central to scientific practice, but when it bleeds into the interpersonal, science loses its humanity.

Among U.S. postdoc applicants, researchers of color often fare worst

Among U.S. postdoc applicants, researchers of color often fare worst

Many researchers of color are at a disadvantage when applying for postdoctoral positions. That’s one of the main findings of a new study of 22,098 applications for 769 scientific postdoc positions at nine U.S. universities. 

Bans, Flagships, and a Green Pivot: The State of EU-China Research Relations

Bans, Flagships, and a Green Pivot: The State of EU-China Research Relations

China's involvement in Horizon Europe is becoming increasingly restricted to environment-focused and basic research, but is still holding up despite geopolitical headwinds and the disruption to face-to-face contact caused by the pandemic.

Governance of AI in Bio: Harnessing the Benefits While Reducing the Risks

Governance of AI in Bio: Harnessing the Benefits While Reducing the Risks

To develop an overarching framework that includes addressing bio-related risks, Congress, federal agencies, and non-governmental AI stakeholders must work together.

Karl Popper on Falsification: Science Vs. Pseudoscience

Karl Popper on Falsification: Science Vs. Pseudoscience

What separates science from pseudoscience, and what should a scientist be like? Karl Popper believed that the notion of falsification could help answer these questions.

CERN and NASA Join Forces to Commit to a Research Future That is Open and Accessible for All

CERN and NASA Join Forces to Commit to a Research Future That is Open and Accessible for All

A summit, entitled “Accelerating the Adoption of Open Science”, took place at CERN from 10 to 14 July, bringing together representatives from 70 scientific institutions to discuss how to develop and implement open science policies across the globe.

Can India's New Billion-dollar Funding Agency Boost Research?

Can India's New Billion-dollar Funding Agency Boost Research?

India's proposed National Research Foundation will shake up the scientific landscape to encourage a culture of research.

Quick Grants from Tech Billionaires Aim to Speed Up Science Research. But Not All Scientists Approve

Quick Grants from Tech Billionaires Aim to Speed Up Science Research. But Not All Scientists Approve

Fast Grants is one of many science improvement projects Silicon Valley billionaires launched or backed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Study Finds a Key Way to Build Trust in Science - And It's Not Education

Study Finds a Key Way to Build Trust in Science - And It's Not Education

Trust in the truth is a major talking point these days.