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Articles on Science research

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This microscopy image shows the retina of a mouse, laid flat and made fluorescent. Kenyoung Kim, Wonkyu Ju and Mark Ellisman/National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California, San Diego via Flickr

Seeing what the naked eye can’t − 4 essential reads on how scientists bring the microscopic world into plain sight

Visualization is an essential part of the scientific process. Advances in imaging have enabled eye-opening discoveries, not only for scientists and researchers but also for the general public.
Many researchers are interested in the genetic history of the Khoe-San. Dana Al-Hindi

How a South African community’s request for its genetic data raises questions about ethical and equitable research

The South African Khoe-San communities are no strangers to exploitative research. One research team is trying to provide genetic ancestry results to community members. But they still face many challenges.
Physics laureate Donna Strickland receives the prize from King Carl Gustaf of Sweden during the Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm on Dec. 10, 2018. (Pontus Lundahl/Pool Photo via AP)

Reflections from a Nobel winner: Scientists need time to make discoveries

The winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in physics says scientists shouldn’t feel pressured to do research that has economic or commercial ramifications. Science for the sake of science is more important.
Park guards view maps and photos of high-altitude glaciers – information that can be shared with local communities dealing with changing water levels. Anne Toomey

Redefining ‘impact’ so research can help real people right away, even before becoming a journal article

Science can’t just stay in the ivory tower. But what does impact really mean and how does it happen? A study of more than a decade of ecological fieldwork projects in Bolivia suggests a better way.
It may take time for a tiny step forward to show its worth. ellissharp/Shutterstock.com

Novelty in science – real necessity or distracting obsession?

Scientists are rewarded with funding and publications when they come up with innovative findings. But in the midst of a ‘reproducibility crisis,’ being new isn’t the only thing to value about research.
What happens to their credibility when scientists take to the streets? February 2017 Stand Up for Science rally in Boston. Adam Salsman

Can March for Science participants advocate without losing the public’s trust?

The research community tends to assume advocacy doesn’t mix with objectivity. One study suggests there’s room for scientists to make real-world recommendations without compromising their trusted status.
Not much science will get done without the money to fund people and equipment. Michael Pereckas

Who feels the pain of science research budget cuts?

What are research dollars actually spent on? Rather than looking at artifacts like publications and patents, a new initiative directly tracks the people and businesses that receive research funding.
There wouldn’t be statues acclaiming Darwin and his theory if it couldn’t stand up to decades of testing. CGP Grey

Scientific theories aren’t mere conjecture – to survive they must work

In science, the word ‘theory’ has a very specific meaning that’s easy for nonscientists to misunderstand or misconstrue. Here’s what a theory must withstand to be accepted by the scientific community.
Bill Gates embraces Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg during an announcement of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to ‘cure, prevent or manage all disease’ by the end of the century. Beck Diefenbach/Reuters

Philanthropy’s tech billionaire reboot could be good for policymaking

The priorities of science are being influenced less by government policy and academia, and more by the priorities of the philanthropic giver.

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