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EU Proposal on Research Careers Seen As a Step in Right Direction, but Falling Short on Ambition

EU Proposal on Research Careers Seen As a Step in Right Direction, but Falling Short on Ambition

The European Commission's long-awaited proposal to improve career pathways for researchers put forward last week is viewed an important step in the right direction, but advocates want to see more ambition and political pressure to usher in change.

How Do Plants with Seedless Fruit Reproduce?

How Do Plants with Seedless Fruit Reproduce?

Plants are capable of producing seedless fruit through a process called parthenocarpy, and humans have long leveraged it in agriculture.

Everett Mendelsohn, Who Linked Science and Society, Dies at 91

Everett Mendelsohn, Who Linked Science and Society, Dies at 91

A longtime professor at Harvard, he lectured on atom bombs, genetics and more, examining how science, culture and politics influence one another.

To Save Society from Digital Tech, Enable Scrutiny of How Policies Are Implemented

To Save Society from Digital Tech, Enable Scrutiny of How Policies Are Implemented

Well-designed policies alone cannot prevent social harm from new technologies. Instead, watchdogs must have tools to scrutinize how such policies are implemented, paving the road for digital accountability.

Science Activism Is Surging, Marking A Culture Shift Among Scientists

Science Activism Is Surging, Marking A Culture Shift Among Scientists

More scientists seem empowered to advocate for a wide range of policy issues.

Spanish EU Presidency to Spearhead Strategic Direction for Research and Innovation Policy

Spanish EU Presidency to Spearhead Strategic Direction for Research and Innovation Policy

Europe, closer: with that statement of intent Spain has kicked off its six-month stint leading the EU. For science this means a focus on expanding the reach of research and innovation and at the same time advancing with North Africa and Latin America.

Scientists Used ChatGPT to Generate an Entire Paper from Scratch - But Is It Any Good?

Scientists Used ChatGPT to Generate an Entire Paper from Scratch - But Is It Any Good?

Scientists have produced a research paper in less than an hour with the help of ChatGPT - but researchers say that there are many hurdles to overcome before the tool can be truly helpful.

Science Activism is Surging - Which Marks a Culture Shift Among Scientists

Science Activism is Surging - Which Marks a Culture Shift Among Scientists

Political mobilization among scientists has been growing in recent years. Two social scientists break down what this looks like and how it represents a culture shift among the scientific community.

Why Our Hair Turns Gray-And How Scientists Could Reverse the Process for Good

Why Our Hair Turns Gray-And How Scientists Could Reverse the Process for Good

For starters, avoid tearing your hair out when frustration strikes, because it might just come in gray.

Preserving Citizens' Economic Well-being: Evaluating Risks and Policy Solutions for Climate Change, Digitalisation, and Biodiversity Loss Financial-related Threats

Preserving Citizens' Economic Well-being: Evaluating Risks and Policy Solutions for Climate Change, Digitalisation, and Biodiversity Loss Financial-related Threats

By researching and anticipating financial risks, a team of few scientists assesses the financial challenges posed by climate change, digitalization and biodiversity loss. Today, we spoke with them to learn more about their research.

New Research Explores How 'green Infrastructure' Policy is Applied in Sweden

New Research Explores How 'green Infrastructure' Policy is Applied in Sweden

Researchers have explored the creation and implications of Sweden's 'green infrastructure' policy, an approach identified by the European Commission as a potential strategy to protect biodiversity and create healthy, resilient ecosystems.

An EU Landmark for AI Governance

An EU Landmark for AI Governance

A groundbreaking draft law adopted with overwhelming majority by the European Parliament provides a glimpse into the future of governance of artificial intelligence.

China's Quantum Leap - Made in Germany

China's Quantum Leap - Made in Germany

Germany's oldest university hosts many scientists conducting groundbreaking work. Little did they know how they would become entangled in China's quantum military strategy. 

United States National Science Foundation: Making the Most of the "Ethical and Societal Considerations" in the CHIPS and Science Act

United States National Science Foundation: Making the Most of the "Ethical and Societal Considerations" in the CHIPS and Science Act

The National Science Foundation has a historic opportunity to center societal considerations in scientific research and technology creation.

Scientific Utopias: Tackling an Early-morning Crisis at the Institute of Merged Sciences

Scientific Utopias: Tackling an Early-morning Crisis at the Institute of Merged Sciences

Earlier this year, Nature co-sponsored a science-fiction essay competition. In Katherine Ember's winning essay, researchers have an immediate responsibility to the public. They're asked to act urgently to help society.

The Dark Universe: Can a Scientist Battling Long Covid Unlock the Mysteries of the Cosmos?

The Dark Universe: Can a Scientist Battling Long Covid Unlock the Mysteries of the Cosmos?

Since being laid low with the virus more than a year ago, Catherine Heymans can only operate in half-hour bursts. But her work could still change the way we understand the universe

How Scientists Can Safeguard Themselves Online

How Scientists Can Safeguard Themselves Online

Scientists are always at risk of digital harassment by bad actors looking to undermine scientific credibility and progress, but there are protective steps they can take.

Cultural Burning: How Age-Old Practices Are Reshaping Wildfire Policy - Federation of American Scientists

Cultural Burning: How Age-Old Practices Are Reshaping Wildfire Policy - Federation of American Scientists

The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission called for input from diverse stakeholders and FAS, along with partners Conservation X Labs (CXL), COMPASS, and the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), answered the call. Recruiting participants from academia, the private sector, national labs, and other nonprofits, the Wildland Fire Policy Accelerator produced 24 ideas […]

EU Council's 'No Pay' Publishing Model Draws Mixed Response

EU Council's 'No Pay' Publishing Model Draws Mixed Response

EU ministers have called for a ‘no pay’ academic-publishing model that bears no cost to readers or authors. Some academics have welcomed the proposed plans - but publishing industry representatives warn they are unrealistic.

When Our Medical Students Learn Anatomy, They See a Person, Not a Specimen

When Our Medical Students Learn Anatomy, They See a Person, Not a Specimen

Thanks to an innovative program, when the students at a Taiwanese medical school learn anatomy, they see a person-not a specimen.

Harvard's William Kirby on China's Higher Education System and His Book "Empires of Ideas" - The China Project

Harvard's William Kirby on China's Higher Education System and His Book "Empires of Ideas" - The China Project

Harvard's William Kirby on China's higher education system and his book "Empires of Ideas"

The Bias Puzzle - Understanding Gender Differences in Academia

The Bias Puzzle - Understanding Gender Differences in Academia

Bias in academia can often be difficult to pinpoint and separate out from difference.  A new study outlines how concepts from causal inference can clarify approaches to studying gender bias in higher education.