English
Category: 2015
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March 8, 2016
Massaging the Data: How Money, Competition and Ego Put the Scientific Process at Risk
Some of the most blatant examples of scientific fraud in recent years have come out of the biomedical field of stem cell research. Hwang Woo-suk, at one time known as “the pride of (South) Korea,” became infamous for fabricating a series of experiments published in the journal Science in 2004 and 2005 where he reported to … Read more
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December 19, 2015
A holiday appeal from all at OSE – support the AllTrials campaign
As 2015 continues to rush by, we turn our minds away from our day-to-day activities and consider what small changes we can make in 2016 that will make the world just so slightly better.
One of the most important campaigns that continued to gain pace in 2015 was AllTrials, established by the lovely people at Sense About Science, who aim to ‘equip people to make sense of scientific and medical claims in public discussion’. -
December 17, 2015
The Dopamine Crash: How to avoid the post-holiday slump
The months leading up to the end of the year holidays can be euphoric, exhausting, exciting and then… dreadfully depressing. During the build-up, our physiology is in an increased state of arousal, whether we’re anxiously looking for an elusive parking space or elated when finding the perfect gift at 50% off. Neuroscience has known for … Read more
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December 10, 2015
Looking for a Breakthrough? Embrace Boredom
Working tirelessly on a big project but feeling stuck and uninspired? Looking for your next big idea? You may think you should simply hunker down or continue analysing all the other big ideas out there on the World Wide Web. But what may really lead you to your next breakthrough… is a little boredom. We … Read more
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December 2, 2015
Defending Your PhD: Learning to Shine
Achieving a PhD is a tremendous accomplishment. Getting to that point can be slow-going, though hopefully it’s been a rewarding process. But the build-up to defending your research to a committee of people who may know more than you do within your field of study can be painfully intimidating. It needn’t be. The most important thing … Read more
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November 19, 2015
Fear Can be Contagious – How to Protect Yourself
Having trouble coping with images of violence around the world but want to stay informed of the news? Try turning off the TV and getting your news from the radio instead. Fear doesn’t just happen to us when we personally experience something scary. Fear also affects us when we see it expressed in someone else. … Read more
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November 15, 2015
How Science Can Reduce Violence
This week we’ve seen another spate of terrorist attacks on everyday people, starting in Beirut and ending in Paris. World leaders are reacting to the incidents with emotion, and talk is of fighting back, bombing, declaring war. However, before we set off on a path of mutual assured destruction, could science contribute to our efforts … Read more
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November 10, 2015
Making Celebrities Out of Scientists
Fancy-dressed hopefuls glide down a red carpet, smile for the cameras, and wait nervously to present acceptance speeches in front of thousands of their peers and Hollywood glitterati. It’s not the Academy Awards, but if Yuri Milner, a Russian investor and theoretical physics dropout, has his way, The Breakthrough Prize will be watched by millions of people … Read more
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November 5, 2015
Why Journals Reject Manuscripts
This week, the Washington Post reported that a study highlighting the stunning rise in the death rate of middle-aged American whites was rejected by two prestigious journals before finally being published by The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study was conducted by Angus Deaton and Anne Case, both distinguished Princeton economists, and Dr … Read more