“I find it remarkable that people who are very knowledgeable about quantum theory can be convinced of completely opposite views,” says theoretical physicist Gemma De les Coves.

Respondents differed radically on whether the wavefunction — the mathematical description of an object’s quantum state — represents something real or is simply a useful tool.

This suggests a significant divide between researchers who hold ‘realist’ views and those with ‘epistemic’ ones.

Of 1,000+ respondents (mostly physicists), some 36%, favoured the Copenhagen interpretation — a practical and often-taught approach. But several other viewpoints have a healthy following. (Only 20% of people who directly study quantum foundations voted for Copenhagen).

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were the next big thing in chemistry when invented three decades ago.

Finally, these intricate sponge-like powders are hitting the market, to capture carbon dioxide, harvest water, and more.

by @kms163.bsky.social | @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

A minority of researchers - under 30% - have used AI to edit or write their papers, according to a Nature survey published today.

Those that have used AI, more often than not didn't disclose it.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@nature.com

The world had the prospect of ending the AIDS epidemic, before Trump derailed US funding.

A reminder: "We have the tools to end AIDS, if we implement what we know works.”

www.nature.com/articles/d41... | @nature.com

Evidence of US brain drain?

US scientists submitted 32% more applications for jobs abroad Jan-Mar 2025 than during same period in 2024.

US-based users browsing jobs abroad increased by 35%.

Data from Nature Careers global science jobs platform.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Or Haidt, in 'The Righteous Mind':

Gigantic birth study paints most detailed picture of pregnancy’s toll on body
@celestebiever.bsky.social | @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Which universities have the most retracted articles - and the highest retraction rates? For @nature.com, here's a first-of-its-kind analysis of retractions by institutions. Full details in the story. www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Cool tech alert: this plastics-recycling plant uses superheated water to break down the plastic films and food-wraps destined for landfill.

But this new kind of 'chemical recycling' isn't a panacea, as @markpeplow.bsky.social explains in @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Did giant ice age beasts carve these vast caves in South America? A marvellous mystery told by @meghier.bsky.social for @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Is this how detailed all researchers should be in disclosing use of ChatGPT or other LLMs when writing papers? Fascinating!

(From www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... )

Thread on Meta discussions about taking pirated scientific papers, via LibGen, to train their LLMs. (From unsealed documents in lawsuit). x.com/jason_kint/s... .
Also covered in this @theverge.com story www.theverge.com/2025/1/14/24...

Some stats from Nature survey of science-policy experts:
• 70% said governments are not routinely using science advice
• 80% say policymakers don’t understand science….
• ….but 73% say researchers don’t understand policy!

by @helenpearson.bsky.social in Nature
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

From @sabs.bsky.social on Scientific American’s endorsement of Harris, part of a must-read appraisal of @laurahelmuth.bsky.social ’s leadership there:

defector.com/do-not-accep...

Milestone: 2023 is the first year with more than 10,000 research paper retractions -- smashing previous records. More than 8,000 of these came from Hindawi (mostly from 'special issues'). Total retractions now >50,000. My analysis for Nature.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

How large is science's fake-paper problem? Massive, finds a new ML text-analysis by Adam Day (Clear Skies). It suggests paper mills rise to 1.5-2% of all papers; 3% in biomed. That's 70,000 papers last year alone, >400,000 overall. As a 'conservative estimate'. www.nature.com/articles/d41...