Monthly Archives: January 2012

On ghostwriting

Posted on 28 January 2012 by rpg

A long time ago, when the world was young, I did a research project towards my Biochemistry Part II exam. Three months in a lab, learning how to do cell culture, how not to kill myself with iodine-125, and making … Continue reading →

Posted in big pharma, ghostwriting, rants | Comments Off on On ghostwriting

A New Angle of View, Part II

Posted on 28 January 2012 by Richard Wintle

Yes, I’m at it again. Hot on the heels of my acquisition, via the twenty-first-century e-commerce miracle that is Ebay, of a medium format film camera from 1937, I’ve spent another ten dollars (plus rather more for shipping) on another … Continue reading →

Posted in Agfa, Film, Hobbies, Photography, Silette | Comments Off on A New Angle of View, Part II

Why I chose to decline an invitation to review by Elsevier

Posted on 28 January 2012 by Stephen

All relationships suffer tensions from time to time, especially those based on love-hate. Scientists have a complex relationship with their publishers — they love to get published in high-impact journals (most of which are run by major publishing companies) but … Continue reading →

Posted in elsevier, love-hate, Open Access, science, science publishing, Scientific Life | Comments Off on Why I chose to decline an invitation to review by Elsevier

Hello to the Grauniad

Posted on 28 January 2012 by rpg

If you’ve stumbled across our humble site from the Guardian, please stop a while to say hello, and share in a round of virtual beer, or coffee, or whatever takes your fancy.

Posted in Meta | Tagged | 6 Comments

In which I move on

Posted on 27 January 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

I have always been fascinated by microorganisms and the many strategies they use to subvert the host cells that they parasitize. For me, the most interesting aspect of infection is the interface between the invader and its victim – the … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, The profession of science | Comments Off on In which I move on

Pacific surf, the coast by starlight, and the Cascades: San Diego to Vancouver by train

Posted on 26 January 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

or: what you gain when you’re not too vain to deign to let the train take the main strain. As I said in my last post, a meeting with collaborators in La Jolla last week probably represented my last chance … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, embarrassing fan girl, food glorious food, fun with language, nature, personal, photos, snow, technology, travel, Vancouver | Comments Off on Pacific surf, the coast by starlight, and the Cascades: San Diego to Vancouver by train

Informing science and policy

Posted on 25 January 2012 by Frank Norman

Ian Gibson wrote last month in the Times Higher that we need a new generation of politically savvy scientists. He said “many in the scientific community do not see it as their business to get involved in matters of policy. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Information source, Research management, RSS, Science news, Science policy | Comments Off on Informing science and policy

How Hard Do You Work?

Posted on 25 January 2012 by Athene Donald

Career progression and promotion require that you tick all the right boxes when panels scrutinise your CV.  If you are trying to optimise your chances of advancing up the greasy pole, this requires that you know what the boxes are … Continue reading →

Posted in Athena Swan, Equality, Outreach, promotion, University of Leicester, Women in science, women in STEM in HE | Comments Off on How Hard Do You Work?

A thing of beauty – the Schlenk line

Posted on 24 January 2012 by Sylvia McLain

I am now the proud owner of a Schlenk line – actually it is not a mere Schlenk line but a hybrid – 1/2 high vacuum line, 1/2 Schlenk. And it is a thing of beauty…. Just look at it

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Zen and the art of locomotive maintenance

Posted on 24 January 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I got home yesterday lunchtime after an epic West Coast rail journey from San Diego to Vancouver. I’ve been to La Jolla once every six months or so since July 2009 to meet with collaborators, and every time I’ve gone … Continue reading →

Posted in bad people, current affairs, drunkenness, first world problems, food glorious food, idiocy, personal, photos, rants, snow, technology, travel, whining | Comments Off on Zen and the art of locomotive maintenance