Jeffrey Brainard
@jeffreybrainard.bsky.social
Reporter, Science magazine. I write about scientific publishing, peer review, open science. jbrainard[[at]]aaas[[dot]]org. ... Signal: JBrainard.19 ... NewsScience[[at]]proton.me
A rapidly growing share of letters to journals may be drafted by machines, undetected by editors. Study quantifies recently ‘prolific debutante authors’ who had published no letters before 2022, when ChatGPT debuted. #academicjournals #peerreview @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Letters to scientific journals surge as ‘prolific debutante’ authors likely use AI
New study reinforces worries about “mass production of junk” by unscrupulous scholars aiming to pad their CVs
www.science.org
November 3, 2025 at 6:40 PM
A rapidly growing share of letters to journals may be drafted by machines, undetected by editors. Study quantifies recently ‘prolific debutante authors’ who had published no letters before 2022, when ChatGPT debuted. #academicjournals #peerreview @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
A human reviewer's take on an AI-written paper: 'Technically correct but neither interesting nor important.' Yesterday's first-of-its-kind #Agents4Science conference, where all papers were written and reviewed by #AI, considered their promise, limitations @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
At futuristic meeting, AIs took the lead in producing and reviewing all the studies
Organizers aim to tune AI to help accelerate science
www.science.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:51 PM
A human reviewer's take on an AI-written paper: 'Technically correct but neither interesting nor important.' Yesterday's first-of-its-kind #Agents4Science conference, where all papers were written and reviewed by #AI, considered their promise, limitations @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
The journal Science’s editorial reviews came under the microscope in a rare study using internal data it supplied. #peerreview #scientificjournals #scientificpublishing @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Whose papers have an edge at Science? In unusual study, journal looks in the mirror
Confidential data show being in the U.S., at a prestigious institution, and in a large team all may help
www.science.org
September 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The journal Science’s editorial reviews came under the microscope in a rare study using internal data it supplied. #peerreview #scientificjournals #scientificpublishing @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Trust but verify? #mlsky #scientificpublishing #sciencejournals @science.org
www.science.org/content/arti...
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Far more authors use AI to write science papers than admit it, publisher reports
Finding highlights promise, questions about detectors of AI-generated text
www.science.org
September 12, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Trust but verify? #mlsky #scientificpublishing #sciencejournals @science.org
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Can AI help identify high-volume, low-quality, “questionable” scientific journals (which some, controversially, call #predatoryjournals )? Authors of this new study emphasize aiding not replacing human evaluators of these journals. @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
AI tool labels more than 1000 journals for ‘questionable,’ possibly shady practices
New algorithm could help scientists avoid publishing in shady titles
www.science.org
August 27, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Can AI help identify high-volume, low-quality, “questionable” scientific journals (which some, controversially, call #predatoryjournals )? Authors of this new study emphasize aiding not replacing human evaluators of these journals. @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
The idea that AI-as-scientist will replace human researchers, or augment their creativity and productivity, is drawing attention. But how soon? @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
AI-generated scientific hypotheses lag human ones when put to the test
Machines still face hurdles in identifying fresh research paths, study suggests
www.science.org
August 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The idea that AI-as-scientist will replace human researchers, or augment their creativity and productivity, is drawing attention. But how soon? @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Can authors afford APCs for #openaccess publishing if NIH caps its payments for them? Institutional read-and-publish deals offer an APC-free alternative, but NIH also wants to lower the indirect cost rate to 15%, which could squeeze money for such deals. @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
NIH details options for limiting its payments for open-access publishing fees
Other publishing proposals would scrap reimbursements or pay peer reviewers, unprecedented steps for a major government funder
www.science.org
August 5, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Can authors afford APCs for #openaccess publishing if NIH caps its payments for them? Institutional read-and-publish deals offer an APC-free alternative, but NIH also wants to lower the indirect cost rate to 15%, which could squeeze money for such deals. @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Are scientists citing papers without reading them? #scientificpublishing #AcademicChatter #peerreview @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
‘Lazy’ authors? One in six scientific papers mischaracterize work they cite
New study of long-standing problem takes novel approach, asking cited authors to evaluate accuracy
www.science.org
July 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Are scientists citing papers without reading them? #scientificpublishing #AcademicChatter #peerreview @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
If getting a research grant required scoring applications from your competitors, would you apply? New evidence on this novel method, “distributed #peerreview,” at #Metascience2025. @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Should grant applicants judge competitors’ proposals? Unorthodox approach gets two real-world tests
Distributed peer review enlists more researchers in the process, but some may lack expertise
www.science.org
July 1, 2025 at 11:01 PM
If getting a research grant required scoring applications from your competitors, would you apply? New evidence on this novel method, “distributed #peerreview,” at #Metascience2025. @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Under a new NIH rule, the number of journal articles with #CreativeCommons licenses may soon grow. Many authors say they don't understand how CC licenses do - and don't - protect #intellectualproperty. A copyright lawyer explains. #openscience @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
What scientists need to know about sharing—and protecting—their published work
With research papers becoming increasingly free to read and use, understanding open-access licenses is key
www.science.org
June 23, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Under a new NIH rule, the number of journal articles with #CreativeCommons licenses may soon grow. Many authors say they don't understand how CC licenses do - and don't - protect #intellectualproperty. A copyright lawyer explains. #openscience @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
As AI presents new costs for scientific-society publishers, their revenues are strained. #openscience #publishingmodels #scholcomm @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Open-access revolution is squeezing scientific societies’ budgets, survey shows
Decline in journal revenues puts scholarships, advocacy, and other activities at risk
www.science.org
June 9, 2025 at 9:29 PM
As AI presents new costs for scientific-society publishers, their revenues are strained. #openscience #publishingmodels #scholcomm @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Is science becoming less innovative? A 2023 paper suggested many fields are. But a new study finds evidence that a growing subset of papers catalyze enduring new paths in research. #ScientificInnovation #bibliometrics @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Research may be increasingly incremental—but studies making lasting paradigm shifts are on the rise
New metric identifying “persistently disruptive” papers offers a “bright spot” amid signs of declining innovation
www.science.org
May 20, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Is science becoming less innovative? A 2023 paper suggested many fields are. But a new study finds evidence that a growing subset of papers catalyze enduring new paths in research. #ScientificInnovation #bibliometrics @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
DOGE-driven journal cancellations at USDA's National Agricultural Library: '[like] burning down the Library of Alexandria.' #scientificpublishing #libraryscience #academiclibraries @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
DOGE order leads to journal cancellations by U.S. agricultural library
“We can’t do science without these,” one researcher says of the hundreds of journals no longer accessible
www.science.org
March 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
DOGE-driven journal cancellations at USDA's National Agricultural Library: '[like] burning down the Library of Alexandria.' #scientificpublishing #libraryscience #academiclibraries @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Jeffrey Brainard
EXCLUSIVE: Fear spreads that NIH will terminate grants involving South Africa | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Fear spreads that NIH will terminate grants involving South Africa
Trump has promised to cut off funding, claiming nation discriminates against white citizens
www.science.org
March 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Fear spreads that NIH will terminate grants involving South Africa | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
#bioRxiv and #medRxiv strike out on their own, as #medRxiv's preprint volume approaches its COVID-era peak. #peerreview #openscience #scientificpublishing @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
In bid to expand, bioRxiv and medRxiv preprint servers move to newly formed nonprofit
Backers seek to increase contributions from authors at institutions beyond the global elite
www.science.org
March 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM
#bioRxiv and #medRxiv strike out on their own, as #medRxiv's preprint volume approaches its COVID-era peak. #peerreview #openscience #scientificpublishing @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Jeffrey Brainard
Any conservative/Trump-voting federal scientists who have been fired and are willing to discuss their views on that whatever they may be?--or can others suggest people in that situation we should reach out to? Contact the News from Science team www.science.org/content/page...
Got a tip?
Got a tip for Science’s news department? Our reporters would like to hear from you. Here are ways to contact us.
www.science.org
February 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Any conservative/Trump-voting federal scientists who have been fired and are willing to discuss their views on that whatever they may be?--or can others suggest people in that situation we should reach out to? Contact the News from Science team www.science.org/content/page...
Reposted by Jeffrey Brainard
Depending on your perspective it's a good/bad week for @science.org's news team to launch our Trump Tracker. Were recent NIH resignations voluntary? Will RFK Jr start firing scientists today? Why did a judge unfreeze U.S. foreign aid needed for clinical trials? www.science.org/content/arti...
Welcome to Trump Tracker
Follow President Donald Trump’s impact on U.S. research and science globally
www.science.org
February 14, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Depending on your perspective it's a good/bad week for @science.org's news team to launch our Trump Tracker. Were recent NIH resignations voluntary? Will RFK Jr start firing scientists today? Why did a judge unfreeze U.S. foreign aid needed for clinical trials? www.science.org/content/arti...
Many #researchintegrity sleuths are volunteers with little financial support for their often-daunting work to uncover #scientificfraud. One of the most prominent, Elisabeth Bik, has now provided money to change that. @elisabethbik.bsky.social @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Renowned scientific integrity investigator endows fund to support fellow sleuths
Microbiologist Elisabeth Bik donates $200,000 to support training, travel
www.science.org
February 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Many #researchintegrity sleuths are volunteers with little financial support for their often-daunting work to uncover #scientificfraud. One of the most prominent, Elisabeth Bik, has now provided money to change that. @elisabethbik.bsky.social @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
I’m glad to join the community here discussing science and #ScientificPublishing, which I write about for Science magazine. I welcome suggestions. #peerreview #ResearchPublication #ResearchPublishing #PublicationEthics #Authorship #ScientificCommunication #SciComm #scholcomm #AcademicSky
February 10, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I’m glad to join the community here discussing science and #ScientificPublishing, which I write about for Science magazine. I welcome suggestions. #peerreview #ResearchPublication #ResearchPublishing #PublicationEthics #Authorship #ScientificCommunication #SciComm #scholcomm #AcademicSky