Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

Peter Rodgers

@drpeterrodgers.bsky.social

150 followers 230 following 100 posts

Father, editor [@elife.bsky.social], rower. Views my own

Business 35%

Economics 27%

more

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Peter Rodgers @drpeterrodgers.bsky.social · 1d

@vtraag.bsky.social et al. found the Matthew effect to be robust across 14 funders, and to generalize from those close to the funding threshold to the whole population.

However, early-career setback effect was not robust across funders and did not generalize to the whole population.

The Matthew effect and early-career setbacks in research funding—a replication study

elifesciences.org

Peter Rodgers @drpeterrodgers.bsky.social · 1d

Those just below were - perhaps surprisingly - were found to be more likely to go on to have stronger publication records (early-career setback effect).

Peter Rodgers @drpeterrodgers.bsky.social · 1d

Several previous studies focused on ECRs with grant proposals that fell just above/below a funding threshold.

Those just above were more likely to be successful when they applied for funding later in the career (the well-known Matthew effect).

Peter Rodgers @drpeterrodgers.bsky.social · 1d

Replication studies meet #metaresarch!!

@vtraag.bsky.social and colleagues at @rorinstitute.bsky.social and elsewhere attempted to replicate two phenomena of interest to ECRs and funders: the Matthew effect and the early-career setback effect.
elifesciences.org/reviewed-pre...; @elife.bsky.social

The Matthew effect and early-career setbacks in research funding—a replication study

elifesciences.org

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Richard Sever @richardsever.bsky.social · Nov 8

New accessibility pilot on bioRxiv pilot: AI-generated paper summaries at 3 levels (general -> expert).

Click Automated Services in the dashboard to view these. We welcome feedback. connect.biorxiv.org/news/2023/11...

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Unofficial BBCNews (UK) Bot @bbcnews-uk-rss.bsky.social · Nov 26

Booker Prize 2023: Who are the shortlisted authors?

Booker Prize 2023: Who are the shortlisted authors?

Three men called Paul are on the shortlist of six. Will one of them take the prize in tonight's ceremony?

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Paul Guinnessy @paulguinnessy.bsky.social · Dec 4

I remember it was quicker to set a job running on our 32-bit VAX-11 overnight, than it was to get the results back from he supercomputer up in Birmingham (because it was so oversubscribed). thechipletter.substack.com/p/why-are-th...

Why Are There No Minicomputers Any More?

What lessons can we learn from the demise of 'mini' form factor, architectures and companies?

thechipletter.substack.com

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

eLife @elife.bsky.social · Dec 15

A new computational tool provides insights into the structure of the cerebellum in mammals. elifesciences.org/articles/931...

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Stephen Royle @steveroyle.bsky.social · Dec 20

Please suggest a cool paper/preprint in your field in the last year or so!
For a course I teach, I am collecting papers on: cell/dev bio, microbio, neuro, maths/stats/CS/chem/phys applied to biology.

🧪
1/2

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Sjang ten Hagen @sjangtenhagen.bsky.social · Dec 13

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – I'm teaming up with Marie-Gabrielle Verbergt to edit a special issue of Minerva on the history of peer review in the humanities (and its connection to the sciences). Submit your abstracts by March 15, 2024, and help us spread the word!

link.springer.com/collections/...

Call for Abstracts: The Past and Present of Humanities Peer Review

Abstract submission deadline: 15 March 2024 Peer review, i.e. the institutionalized evaluation of scholars and their outputs by others working in the same ...

link.springer.com

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · Nov 18

‘When the painting was rediscovered by modern scholars in the 1990s, many distinguished commentators presumed that it was a caricature.’

Fara Dabhoiwala on uncovering the secret of the 18th-century portrait of a Jamaican scholar and businessman:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...

Fara Dabhoiwala · A Man of Parts and Learning: Francis Williams Gets His Due

The only certainty about the picture is that it shows Francis Williams. No one has ever been able to discover who...

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Research on Research Institute (RoRI) @rorinstitute.bsky.social · Nov 13

The peer review system needs change. Let’s make publishing faster, more efficient, and rewarding 📈

Join us on 21 Nov at #AIMOS2024 or online on 26 Nov for the launch of MetaROR - an open platform by RoRI & AIMOS making reviews visible & reusable.

More info: researchonresearch.org/metaror-laun...

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Dec 7

This is how we do it: ‘My life with my lover exists in a different universe to my marriage’

This is how we do it: ‘My life with my lover exists in a different universe to my marriage’

Sebastian and Vivianna have been in a secret relationship for seven years, which has maintained its intensity despite long absences from each other How do you do it? Share the story of your sex life, anonymously There was always a sense that we were…

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Science Magazine @science.org · Dec 18

A new Science and Retraction Watch investigation finds AI-generated commentary articles flood the literature with poor-quality publications and casts doubt on metrics of scholarly output and impact. scim.ag/4gJmD6O

Shoddy commentaries—a quick and dirty route to higher impact numbers—are on the rise

AI-generated content floods literature with poor-quality publications, casts doubt on metrics, Science and Retraction Watch investigation finds

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

eLife @elife.bsky.social · Jan 16

🎉 eLife is pleased to announce Timothy Behrens (@behrenstimb.bsky.social) as our new Editor-in-Chief!

A distinguished neuroscientist and long-time supporter, Tim will lead our efforts in transforming research communication for all.

eLife appoints Timothy Behrens as Editor-in-Chief

Behrens will lead eLife’s efforts to improve research communication for all.

Reposted by Peter Rodgers, Mathias Schmidt

Tim Behrens @behrenstimb.bsky.social · Jan 30

Hope you'll forgive a quick thread as I take over as the new EiC of @elife.bsky.social

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Jack Stilgoe @jackstilgoe.bsky.social · Feb 21

Superb post from @alisongopnik.bsky.social. Although I grew up (in the UK) with the story being about Nail Soup. simons.berkeley.edu/news/stone-s...

For some time, I’ve argued that a common conception of AI is misguided. This is the idea that AI systems like large language and vision models are individual intelligent agents, analogous to human age...

simons.berkeley.edu

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Nature @nature.com · Feb 27

Can toads can find their way home across long distances

https://go.nature.com/4ij5ZLM

Take me home, country toads

Cane toads have remarkable navigation abilities, even when their sense of smell and magnetic-sensory systems are compromised.

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Davide Castelvecchi @castelvecchi.bsky.social · Mar 19

CERN's secular plan: Can we predict what technologies will be available 50 years from now that could make high-energy colliders radically different — or even obsolete? And some wonder whether we can even imagine what questions physicists will be asking in 2070. #FCC
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The biggest machine in science: inside the fight to build the next giant particle collider

The European physics laboratory CERN is planning to build a mega collider by 2070. Critics say the plan could lead to its ruin.

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Vaughn Cooper @vscooper.micropopbio.org · Mar 25

Others in this growing collection:
By @blekhman.bsky.social

“Make no mistake: this is not just bad for science – it is bad for America.“

elifesciences.org/articles/106...

Science Under Threat in the United States: How scientists and institutions should respond

Individual researchers and university leaders need to make the case for science to their elected representatives and to the public at large.

elifesciences.org

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Vaughn Cooper @vscooper.micropopbio.org · Mar 25

By Nicolas Gilpin:
“It is clear that scientific communication by scientists, universities, and research societies must drastically improve.”

elifesciences.org/articles/106...

Science Under Threat in the United States: The NIH is a sound investment for the US taxpayer

Research funded by the National Institutes of Health is essential for improving the health of Americans and developing new drugs and treatments for a wide range of diseases.

elifesciences.org

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Ran Blekhman @blekhman.bsky.social · Mar 25

Trying to make sense of the current situation, I put together some thoughts in an op-ed for @elife.bsky.social on what we, as scientists, can do – and what institutions MUST do – to protect science right now

elifesciences.org/articles/106...

Science Under Threat in the United States: How scientists and institutions should respond

Individual researchers and university leaders need to make the case for science to their elected representatives and to the public at large.

elifesciences.org

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Anna Greene @annagreene.bsky.social · Mar 26

Last year, I was surprisingly diagnosed with AML. Attacks on science that we currently face threaten future scientific discoveries that can benefit individuals' health. This should scare us all. Read more about my story and thoughts on this below (with @casey.greenelab.com).

Peter Rodgers @drpeterrodgers.bsky.social · Mar 26

Science Under Threat in the US
Research turns hope into reality
by @annagreene.bsky.social & @casey.greenelab.com
Two scientists describe how an acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis underscores the need for continued federal support for research and access to care. elifesciences.org/articles/106...

Science Under Threat in the United States: Research turns hope into reality

Two scientists describe how an acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis underscores the need for continued federal support for research and access to care.

elifesciences.org

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Mayank Chugh (he/him) ✨ @mayankchugh.bsky.social · Mar 26

My undergraduate students & I have been having discussions about what the current US policies mean for the science, their career aspirations, & public health.

Thank you @drpeterrodgers.bsky.social @elife.bsky.social @elifecommunity.bsky.social
for giving us a space to share our voices & fears.

Peter Rodgers @drpeterrodgers.bsky.social · Mar 26

Science Under Threat in the United States
The impact on undergraduate students
by @mayankchugh.bsky.social et al
Anti-science policies, funding cuts, scientific censorship and the US withdrawing from international commitments are worrying students.
elifesciences.org/articles/106...

Science Under Threat in the United States: The impact on undergraduate students

Anti-science policies, funding cuts, scientific censorship and the US withdrawing from international commitments are worrying members of the ReForm Lab at the College of William & Mary.

elifesciences.org

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

eLife @elife.bsky.social · Mar 26

1/ NIH-funded research has come under a new level of fiscal scrutiny under Trump, sending shock waves through biomedical research.

As Nick Gilpin writes, at the core of these cuts is one question: Is it a worthwhile investment for the US taxpayer?
buff.ly/qJ8axNe

"Given the opportunity to invest one dollar and receive a guaranteed $2.56 in return, most Americans would likely do so without hesitation." Nicholas Gilpin

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

eLife @elife.bsky.social · Mar 27

@abankston.bsky.social – a science policy fellow at the US House Representatives – outlines some options available for responding to the attacks on science and the scientific workforce in the US.
buff.ly/udqoZI5

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

eLife @elife.bsky.social · Mar 27

There is plenty of scope for reducing bureaucracy for the benefit of research, @stuartbuck.bsky.social argues. However, Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency are going about this completely the wrong way.
buff.ly/aLkxKhC

"If DOGE wants to fulfil the original mission to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency, it needs to execute a 180 degree change of direction." Stuart Buck

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Nature @nature.com · Apr 2

Long-awaited report explores the practicalities of building a triple-sized version of the LHC

https://go.nature.com/4iUOjqL

CERN releases detailed plans for supercollider — but no hints about funding

Long-awaited report explores the practicalities of building a triple-sized version of the LHC.

Reposted by Peter Rodgers

Matheus Gallas-Lopes @matheusglls.bsky.social · Apr 5

How replicable is Brazilian research? The Brazilian Reproducibility Initiative explores this key question, assessing how well biomedical studies can be reproduced using standard lab methods. Check our preprint 👇
doi.org/10.1101/2025...

Estimating the replicability of Brazilian biomedical science

Concerns over the replicability and reproducibility of published research have grown in many research fields, but empirical data to inform policies are still scarce. Biomedical research in Brazil expa...

Peter Rodgers @drpeterrodgers.bsky.social · May 23

Webinar about the Brazilian Reproducibility Initiative next Friday.

And you you cannot wait until then . . . .
elifesciences.org/interviews/3...