Not Exactly Peer Review
Not Exactly Peer Review is a column for scientists to discuss their opinions on current issues in science (and pseudoscience)!
How NOT to Assign Authorship in Academic Publishing
In 1948, Ph.D. student Ralph Alpher and his advisor George Gamow were about to publish their work on the origins of chemical elements from the Big Bang. Gamow, well known for his pranks and practical [...]
Is Your Lab Moving? 10 Tips For a Smooth Relocation
Although it’s a hassle, relocation is just a part of life. Sometimes, this means packing up your current laboratory and moving all the equipment and chemicals to a new location. Whether your destination is another [...]
8 Ways Doing SciComm Benefits You as a Scientist
“You’re a scientist; that’s awesome! So… what do you do?” We’ve all been there; friends and family ask about our research out of politeness without expecting to understand it. People believe science is the realm [...]
Fixing How We Learn (and Teach) Chemistry—A Game Electrons Play
Chemistry lessons—at both high school and college level—often begin with atomic structure and bond classification. This foundation proves inadequate for predicting reactions and breaks down entirely when used to explain more advanced physical chemistry concepts, [...]
The Trouble with Believing that Aliens Exist
How nice would it be if we weren’t alone in the Universe? Many believe that somewhere in the vast cosmos, there exist intelligent life forms (‘aliens’) simply waiting for human contact. While there’s nothing wrong [...]
The Natural Products Association Profits Off Misinformation
Within the food, cosmetic and personal care industries, there exists a growing demand for ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ products. However, the public’s desire for natural ingredients and sources is based on the clever marketing of misinformation [...]