This chapter delves into the alarming trend of highly productive authors who publish at an unprecedented rate, raising suspicions of unethical practices. It explores the surge in numbers, particularly in Thailand, attributing it to various factors including interdisciplinary teams, university rankings, cash incentives, and the prevalence of fraudulent paper mills.
In this episode:
00:48 A new way to grow a tricky parasite in the lab
Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that causes the zoonotic disease toxoplasmosis, has a complex, multi-stage life cycle. Some of these stages will only grow in the intestines of cats, making it difficult to study. Now, a team has found a way to grow one of these stages in vitro for the first time, which they hope will help researchers learn more about this parasite, estimated to have infected around 30% of the world’s population.
Research Article: Antunes et al.
08:50 Research Highlights
The tiny VR goggles designed for mice, and how a squirt of water could give coffee a bigger kick.
Research Highlight: Wee VR googles give mice a true immersive experience
Research Highlight: Why coffee particles clump and make a mess during grinding
11:25 Briefing Chat
Genetic searches reveal a potential super-sized protein, and the rise of ‘non-stop’ authors who publish a science paper every five days
Nature News: The world’s largest proteins? These mega-molecules turn bacteria into predators
Nature News: Surge in number of ‘extremely productive’ authors concerns scientists
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