ORI is the Office for Research Integrity, part of the US Dept. of Health and Human Services. ORI has a wealth of information useful for discussing the important issues surrounding research ethics and misconduct. Recently they have released a set of infographics on various themes, from “Tips for Presenting Scientific Images with Integrity” to “What … Read more Responsible Conduct of Research Infographics by ORI
Last week, the National Science Foundation (NSF) released a solicitation for a new program, Transdisciplinary Research in Principles of Data Science (TRIPODS). This program aims to bring together the statistics, mathematics, and theoretical computer science communities to develop the theoretical foundations of data science through integrated research and training activities. TRIPODS builds off existing investments … Read more Funding Opportunity: NSF Releases Solicitation for Transdisciplinary Research in Principles of Data Science (TRIPODS)
Last month we asked “How do you keep up with the literature?” (cross-posted on the ASPB blog and Plantae). Several of you shared your tips, thanks! Here we’ve compiled the replies we received from you. Follow specific journals One tip is to follow the Twitter or Facebook pages of your favorite journals (in case you … Read more Keeping up with the literature: Your suggestions
Dr. Todd Anderson, US Department of Energy will give the plenary talk at this year’s 5th Pan-American Congress On Plants and BioEnergy which is taking place August 4-7, 2016 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dr. Anderson recently shared some of his insight into the bioenergy industry and what to expect from his session. What’s the … Read more Insight from Dr. Todd Anderson about his Plenary Session at the 5th Pan-American Congress On Plants and BioEnergy
I recently visited the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI-MP) in Potsdam-Golm, outside of Berlin, Germany. I’d like to introduce you to this institution, a truly outstanding center for plant science research. The MPI-MP is one of more than 80 Max Planck Institutes in Germany. Five of the Institutes have a focus on … Read more An introduction to the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI-MP)
This week’s Research in Focus is reprinted from an In Brief published by Science Editor Nancy Hofmann in The Plant Cell, which summarizes an article newly published by Calderwood et al. This study explores the distribution and identity of mobile mRNA within the plant body, and presents a hypothesis that abundance in companion cells is … Read more Should I stay or should I go? Abundance as a new null hypothesis for determination of mRNA mobility
This week’s Research in Focus is reprinted from an In Brief published by Science Editor Jennifer Lockhart in The Plant Cell, which summarizes an article newly published by Ondzighi-Assoume et al. This study examines how internal and external signals affect lateral root production, and specifically the interaction between nitrate and the hormone abscisic acid (ABA). … Read more Putting Down Roots: How Nitrate and Abscisic Acid Help Shape Root System Architecture
The New York Times published the following letter to the editor from ASPB on October 30, 2015. ASPB’s letter was in response to the October 24th article by Mark Lynas, the political director for the Cornell Alliance for Science. In his piece, Lynas laments that due to “Europe’s Coalition of the Ignorant, we are witnessing … Read more NYT Publishes ASPB Response to 10/24 Article on European GMO Policies
Critical discussion and debate is a powerful tool for honing scientific ideas and developing public policy. Intellectual disagreements can be constructive even when people have starkly contrasting views. However, too often in our internet and social media-fueled age, honest disagreements degrade into name calling, ad hominem attacks, threats and bullying. When that happens, people are … Read more Everyone is Biased and Conflicted, Now What?
This year’s Fascination of Plants Day, a plant scientists’ initiative launched in 2012, has been already adopted by 54 countries worldwide. All information about this initiative can be accessed via www.plantday.org and is supported world-wide by a network of National Coordinators who voluntarily promote and disseminate the activity within their countries. Already over 509 scientific … Read more 3rd International Fascination of Plants Day: Monday May 18th
The following letter was sent to our USA members in regards to the Cornell Alliance for Science petition. This issue is extremely important regarding transparency concerning publicly-funded research and scientific investigations. Please read below to help support the plant science and research community with this issue. On January 28th, 2015, 14 scientists from four universities were targeted … Read more Cornell Alliance for Science Petition – A letter to our community
Time to Speak Up It is an honor to be elected your new president and to work in support of our common goals. It has been a productive year as president-elect, and it is a pleasure to share timely thoughts with you here. No question: This is an exciting time to be a plant scientist. … Read more President’s Letter