Scientists hit the streets to command policy-makers’ attention A survey of Canadian scientists finds that evidence-based policy is a top priority. John C. Besley & Kathryn O’Hara Comment 14 Apr 2018
Keep predators out with a low-spam diet Clever email strategies can help fight the scourge of academic inboxes. Jeffrey Perkel Technology feature 13 Apr 2018
Scientists go to great lengths in reviewing high-quality research An analysis of review length raises questions about what quantity means for quality. Gemma Conroy News 11 Apr 2018
AI engineers, data scientists - Japan needs you Japan's vision of a high-tech, 'super-smart' society relies on sustained investment to arrest scientific decline. Tim Hornyak News 10 Apr 2018
Indian university rankings inherently inconsistent Anomalies in the third national assessment of Indian institutions intensify criticisms of linking the exercise to funding. Thomas Manuel News 9 Apr 2018
Japanese institutions resist reform Efforts to improve Japan's scientific status include top-down institutional change, but tradition is hard to break. Ichiko Fuyuno News feature 6 Apr 2018
How researchers are ensuring that their work has an impact Finding purpose and meaning in the lab. Jack Leeming 5 Apr 2018
It’s time for the US to get serious about funding open access University of California libraries tackle the transition from subscription-based publishing to sustainable open access. Rachael Samberg et al. Comment 4 Apr 2018
What’s wrong with the journal impact factor in 5 graphs Scholars love to hate the journal impact factor, but how flawed is it? Dalmeet Singh Chawla Explainer 3 Apr 2018
Women paid 20% less in top UK research institutions Gender pay gap reports reveal extent of male favoritism in the UK. News 29 Mar 2018
Experts fear irrelevance for assessment of research relevance Australian academics will need to prove that they have demonstrated the usefulness of their work to communities, industry and government. News feature 28 Mar 2018
Women left out of impact assessments Consideration should be given to the research impact agenda’s effects on female academics, say Julie Davies and Emily Yarrow. Julie Davies and Emily Yarrow Comment 27 Mar 2018
China's science ministry gets power to attract more foreign scientists Science super-ministry gains new remit to develop policies that benefit international researchers. Hepeng Jia News 23 Mar 2018
Japanese government urges young scientists towards industry With permanent academic jobs scarce, the government wants industry to utilize young talent. Nature Index News feature 23 Mar 2018
The undercover academic keeping tabs on ‘predatory’ publishing Following the shutdown of Beall’s list, blacklists that warn against questionable publishers are in demand. Dalmeet Singh Chawla 22 Mar 2018
Stand aside UTokyo, Gakushuin shows size isn’t everything Gakushuin University is the top-ranking institution when assessed on the quality of its research in the natural sciences. Tim Hornyak 22 Mar 2018
Drug research priorities at odds with global disease toll COMMENT: Large pharmaceutical companies do not target their scientific efforts on the deadliest diseases. Alfredo Yegros et al. Comment 16 Mar 2018
Why are scientists anxious? Public regard for scientists is as strong as ever, but you wouldn't know it. News feature 14 Mar 2018
‘Bronze’ open access supersedes green and gold Publishers can deny access to the majority of open-access articles at their discretion. Jon Brock Explainer 12 Mar 2018
New tools track article buzz online A new service allows researchers to access raw social media data. Jeffrey Perkel Technology feature 9 Mar 2018