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Efforts are under way in Africa to spread awareness about research integrity.Credit: Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty
Plagiarism detector calls out African medical journals
A study of nearly 500 papers in 100 Africa-based journals found that 63% contained some form of plagiarism. For comparison, a similar survey of articles in a Croatian medical journal found plagiarism in 11%, and a study of a Chinese science journal called out 23% of papers. “The message is not that African science is bad,” says biostatistician Anke Rohwer, but that there’s not enough awareness among African researchers of what constitutes plagiarism.
Wake-up call for cancer immunotherapy
The stunning failure of a once-promising cancer drug has prompted calls to rethink how immune therapies are tested. After promising early trials, a large, controlled study of the drug epacadostat was halted in April after it failed to show benefits. Oncologist Jason Luke, who helped to conduct some of the first trials of the drug, says that it was pushed into large clinical studies too soon. The moment could be “a turning point in the field”, says cancer immunologist Felipe Campesato.
Brain scientists accuse Dartmouth of shielding harassers
Seven female psychologists and cognitive neuroscientists have filed a lawsuit alleging that Dartmouth College protected three male professors who the women accuse of harassment. The Ivy League university conducted an investigation into the men, who eventually resigned or retired. The former graduate students say that even after their complaints, the university encouraged them to keep working with the professors to avoid retaliation. Dartmouth says it “took unprecedented steps toward revoking [the professors’] tenure and terminating their employment” and “respectfully, but strongly, disagree[s] with the characterizations of Dartmouth’s actions.”
The Washington Post | 7 min read
FEATURES & OPINION
Quantum computers put blockchain security at risk
Within ten years, quantum computers will be powerful enough to crack the digital signatures that secure bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies — allowing people to impersonate users, steal digital coins and even spend money twice. But quantum technology also offers ways of repairing the security breaches it creates, argue three quantum-computing researchers. Companies and countries must integrate quantum encryption and networks into blockchain technologies before it’s too late, they say.
Life on a shrinking planet
“Until now, human beings have been spreading,” writes Bill McKibben. “But a period of contraction is setting in as we lose parts of the habitable earth.” Thirty years after he pioneered climate-change journalism in The End of Nature, McKibben mourns what has been lost, lays the blame, and considers how we might get off the “long escalator down to Hell”.
Ten tips for collaborative authorship
Twelve researchers practice what they preach on an impressive scale in this guide to collaboratively writing a multi-authored paper. From building your dream team to deciding on the digital tools, they offer a structured approach designed to improve communication and ease consensus.
