Executive Editor @ElsevierConnect (elsevier.com/connect) Journalist, photographer—and music prof in previous century. Opinions are mine; follows ≠ endorsements
Articles by Alison Bert
AI and health equity in cancer: 3 areas of progress
Prof Jakob Kather’s research team at Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health at TUD Dresden University of Technology in Germany is using AI to revolutionize oncology treatment through biomarker extraction. Dr Karin Dembrower, Senior Breast Radiologist at St Göran’s Hospital in Sweden, is overseeing a program using AI technology for breast cancer screening with promising results.
Honoring the 2024 Nobel Laureates with free access to their research
Editor’s note: This article will be continually updated with information about the newly announced Nobel Prize winners and access to their research. In the coming days, the 2024 Nobel Laureates are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to science. Winning the Nobel Prize represents decades of probing research that has had a profound impact on humanity. These groundbreaking discoveries reinforce the role of research as a driver of progress.
reframing neurodivergence in science, medicine and society
Is autism a superpower? Or is it a characteristic lack of empathy? These and other descriptors — together with a past tendency to view neurodivergent people as needing “fixing” — are in fact unhelpful and even damaging. Editors and publishers can play a powerful role in changing these negative perceptions by the intentional use of affirming, compassionate language and by being allies to the many neurodivergent colleagues we work with.
Does minimalism have a place in research?
Minimalism is everywhere these days. What started as art(opens in new tab/window) pared down to its essentials in the early 60s soon travelled to the world of music (think Steve Reich and Phillip Glass).
Tracking the impact of research
In today’s world — as global challenges seem to mount daily as economic resources decline — measuring the impact of research is becoming increasingly important.
What if the cure is a drug that already exists?
The search for cures has never been more pressing. With over 9,000 rare diseases afflicting millions of people worldwide, the toll on patients and their families immeasurable. Add to that the growing burden of cancer: About one in five people develop cancer in their lifetime, but the majority of countries do not cover basic cancer care as part of health services for all citizens, according to the World Health Organization.
Expanding the reach of research
4 ways universities are using research and scholarship to help their communities and the world Universities play a lead role in the creation and advancement of scientific research. And as the world grapples with monumental challenges, these institutions are seeking to expand the impact of their research to tackle these challenges. Here, academic leaders reveal how their universities are doing this.
Top 10 stories of 2023
With our world changing at an ever-accelerating pace, the need to anticipate and adapt to future challenges has never been more critical. We’re facing grand challenges, from climate change, food insecurity and social inequities to healthcare shortages and the unknown long-term effects of generative AI. Fortunately, researchers worldwide are delving into these issues, collaborating across disciplines and boundaries to find creative solutions in their communities and beyond.
Open access research that aims to change the world
Researchers reveal why they choose to publish open access By Milly Sell, Ian Evans and Alison Bert, DMA How you publish and share scientific research is an important choice. It reflects your research goals and the nature of your research. At Elsevier, we offer a range of open access options to fit the needs of researchers, funders and institutions globally.
Honoring the 2023 Nobel Laureates with free access to their research
Editor's note: This article will be continually updated with information about the newly announced Nobel Prize winners and access to their research. This week, select scientists from around the world will receive the "magic call." Winning the Nobel Prize is a crowning achievement that represents decades of probing research that has had a profound impact on humanity. Their contributions reinforce the role of research as a driver of progress.
Honoring the 2023 Nobel Laureates with free access to their research
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to jointly to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman fortheir discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. The discoveries that these two scientists made played a critical role in developing effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
Honoring the 2023 Nobel Laureates with free access to their research
Editor's note: This article will be continually updated with information about the newly announced Nobel Prize winners and access to their research. This week, select scientists from around the world will receive the "magic call." Winning the Nobel Prize is a crowning achievement that represents decades of probing research that has had a profound impact on humanity. Their contributions reinforce the role of research as a driver of progress.
Elsevier CEO Kumsal Bayazit shines as #2 Best CEO for Women
In a global list of 100 top CEOs for large organizations, Elsevier’s Kumsal Bayazit has emerged as a true powerhouse, clinching the coveted title of the #2 Best CEO for Women(opens in new tab/window) in the 2023 Comparably Awards. Kumsal was also 9th on the list of Best CEOs for Diversity(opens in new tab/window), while Elsevier’s senior leadership ranked 11th among Best Leadership Teams(opens in new tab/window).
What makes a good dog-owner match? Here’s what science says
Communities Stories keeping journal authors in touch with industry developments, support and training Industry developments, policies and initiatives of interest to our journal editors and editorial board members Information for reviewers about relevant Elsevier and industry developments, support and training What traits should you look for in a canine companion?
Empowering ‘girl bosses’ with data, analytics - and community
Underserved girls often lack the basic skills required to thrive in intensive STEM programs.
Top 10 stories of 2022
Every year, more than a million people from around the world visit Elsevier Connect, which offers news, features and other resources for the research and health communities.
Honoring the 2022 Nobel Laureates with free access to their research
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine The 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Svante Pääbo "for his discoveries concerning the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution." Pääbo’s seminal research gave rise to an entirely new scientific discipline: paleogenomics. By revealing genetic differences that distinguish all living humans from extinct hominins, his discoveries provide the basis for exploring what makes us uniquely human.
Meet the winners of the 2022 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award
Communities Stories keeping journal authors in touch with industry developments, support and training Industry developments, policies and initiatives of interest to our journal editors and editorial board members Information for reviewers about relevant Elsevier and industry developments, support and training Award-winning women scientists from Bangladesh, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Yemen will present virtually at AAAS By Alison Bert, DMA - February 11, 2022 Winners of the...
Top 10 stories of 2021
Net zero, open access and gender in research top the list of Elsevier's most viewed stories By Alison Bert, DMA Elsevier Connect received over 2.2million views in 2021. Our most popular stories dealt with issues of critical importance to the research community and society at large: How researchers can help the world achieve net zero by 2050. How we can help you on your open access journey. And what we can learn from Portugal in Elsevier's latest report on gender in research.
Tackling bias by rethinking human anatomy education
For their Complete Anatomy education platform, 3D4Medical’s product designers are looking for ways to make their anatomy models more inclusive of race and gender. This image is from the Complete Anatomy video, which you can watch below. Watch a video about Complete Anatomy. To view this embedded content, please enable Targeting cookies in your Crucially, their work in evolving the platform involves getting input from users and potential users — a practice Irene extended to this workshop.
"Keep your eyes open wide"
Advice from researchers to researchers By Alison Bert, Liana Cafolla, Ian Evans and Libby Plummer It’s not easy being a researcher. The field is competitive, with challenges at every stage of your career, from finding funding to getting published to maintaining a decent work-life balance. Research also has the potential to be immensely rewarding — cracking a difficult problem, seeing your work published, seeking out new challenges, and making a difference to the world.
Filling in the blanks of knowledge graphs
Knowledge graphs can be used to find information on any topic. These knowledge graph queries seek information on movies and geographies. They were created by Erik Arakelyan, Daniel Daza, Pasquale Minervini and Michael Cochez (pictured above from top to bottom) for their paper “Complex Query Answering with Neural Link Predictors,” ICLR 2021.
Infographic: How to answer 5 difficult questions about Covid vaccines
Communities Stories keeping journal authors in touch with industry developments, support and training Industry developments, policies and initiatives of interest to our journal editors and editorial board members Information for reviewers about relevant Elsevier and industry developments, support and training Here’s how you can help friends and family understand the benefits of vaccination.
Champions of Discovery
Communities Stories keeping journal authors in touch with industry developments, support and training Industry developments, policies and initiatives of interest to our journal editors and editorial board members Information for reviewers about relevant Elsevier and industry developments, support and training Researchers tell their stories By Elsevier Connect Contributors - April 20, 2021 8 mins What does it mean to be a researcher?
Ghanaian chemist is finding toxic substances in unusual places
For Prof Marian Asantewah Nkansah, who specializes in environmental chemistry, circumstances continually remind her that science comes with a pricetag. It’s a reality faced by scientists everywhere, but for those in developing countries, the situation can be even more palpable. Funding on our side of the world — for Ghana and most African countries — is driven unfortunately by funders from outside the continent.
With a successful medical career, this researcher pursues his dream job
If you were to read the “Research Interests” section on Dr Seng Cheong Loke’s curriculum vitae, you might think something was amiss. The list details his work with calcium and parathyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus, gerontology and stem cell therapy. But then there’s the final line: Computer vision technology, machine learning, and low light imaging. There’s no error here, however. And his story is even more interesting that the version on paper.
Seeking the secrets of the universe in the particle
Dr María Eugenia Cabrera’s Catalán, Junior Professor in the School of Physical Sciences and Mathematics at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala and winner of a 2021 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Women Scientists in the Developing World, writes notes for the undergraduate course she teaches. She will explain how we describe particles and antiparticles using relativistic quantum mechanics. (Photo by Dr Giovanni Ramirez).
Researchers - what's your social media persona?
Communities Stories keeping journal authors in touch with industry developments, support and training Industry developments, policies and initiatives of interest to our journal editors and editorial board members Information for reviewers about relevant Elsevier and industry developments, support and training Three scientists weigh in on how they use social media – and how they respond to challenging comments By Alison Bert, DMA - March 29, 2021 These scientists have distinct social media...
Elsevier CTO on collaborating with healthcare to improve patients’ lives
For this Unique Contributions podcast, Dr Rhett Alden, Chief Technology Officer for Health & Commercial Markets at Elsevier, is interviewed by Elsevier Chairman YS Chi. Here, you can read highlights and listen to the podcast.
“My teacher said I asked too many questions”: from curious to award-winning researcher
Dr Ghada Dushaq, a Postdoctoral Associate at in the Photonic Research Lab at NYU Abu Dhabi, fabricates nanoscale devices in a cleanroom using different micro/nano fabrication tools such as photolithography and thin film deposition techniques. These devices are ultrasensitive to dust particles. The yellow filter, which produces the amber light, allows for storage of photoresist (light-sensitive material) coated samples over hours and days in the clean room.
Meet the winners of the 2021 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award
Communities Stories keeping journal authors in touch with industry developments, support and training Industry developments, policies and initiatives of interest to our journal editors and editorial board members Information for reviewers about relevant Elsevier and industry developments, support and training Five award-winning women scientists from the developing world will present virtually at AAAS By Alison Bert, DMA - February 4, 2021 - Updated March 4, 2021 Winners of the 2021...
7 challenges to overcome for a more inclusive research ecosystem
The Falling Walls Circle Table “Forging a More Inclusive Research Ecosystem with Key Stakeholders” (left to right) featured Nick Perkins, Lead Technical Advisor at CABI (moderator); Elsevier CEO Kumsal Bayazit; Prof Daya Reddy, President of the International Science Council; Dr Shirley Malcom, Director of Sea Change and Senior Advisor at AAAS; and Dr Karen Salt, Deputy Director at UKRI.
Elsevier scientist builds model to predict COVID-19 severity in veterans
Communities Stories keeping journal authors in touch with industry developments, support and training. Industry developments, policies and initiatives of interest to our journal editors and editorial board members Information for reviewers about relevant Elsevier and industry developments, support and training. Showcasing research from Elsevier journals that impact people's lives.
A serendipitous discovery advances COVID research - and makes a cameo in Congress
“This is work we really need to pursue,” Dr. Fauci says, touting findings that T cells from common coronaviruses may offer protection against COVID-19 By Alison Bert, DMA - August 19, 2020 While much of the world was watching Dr. Anthony Fauci testify before Congress, Prof. Shane Crotty was in a Zoom meeting with his research colleagues at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in California. Then an email caught his attention: rumor had it that Dr. Fauci held up a paper they co-authored in Cell.
Temple Grandin on problem-solving, research and life under coronavirus
Pictured above: Dr. Temple Grandin with Scatter, a 25-year-old Appaloosa gelding, on the ranch of her longtime research partner, Mark Deesing, in Fort Colllins, Colorado (Photo © Callen Liverance(opens in new tab/window)) Dr. Temple Grandin pictures her immune system as a military base with soldiers who defend the base and fight off invaders.
Elsevier leaders on Scholarly Kitchen: We need to work together to close the gender gap
Communities Stories keeping journal authors in touch with industry developments, support and training. Industry developments, policies and initiatives of interest to our journal editors and editorial board members Information for reviewers about relevant Elsevier and industry developments, support and training. Showcasing research from Elsevier journals that impact people's lives.
Question for you: Who will fund research 10 years from now?
Communities Stories keeping journal authors in touch with industry developments, support and training. Industry developments, policies and initiatives of interest to our journal editors and editorial board members Information for reviewers about relevant Elsevier and industry developments, support and training. Showcasing research from Elsevier journals that impact people's lives.
A researcher’s quest to clean Nepal’s water leads to an unexpected journey
Communities Stories keeping journal authors in touch with industry developments, support and training. Industry developments, policies and initiatives of interest to our journal editors and editorial board members Information for reviewers about relevant Elsevier and industry developments, support and training. Showcasing research from Elsevier journals that impact people's lives.
Why web accessibility is the new usability
While enabling users with disabilities, web accessibility boosts searchability and even ROI – here’s how By Sandra Millers Younger Posted on 2 June 2014 Updated on 26 November 2019 Lucy Greco wanted to be a physical therapist. She loved the idea of working with athletes, helping them achieve their best possible performances. But a year or so into her university studies, back in the late 1980s, Greco gave up on her dream career.
How data scientists are uncovering chemical compounds hidden in patents
The open science movement is helping scientists around the world access data, methods, software and a range of scientific discoveries. But for chemists, part of the information cycle is obscured, making it difficult and time-consuming to access information on chemical compounds until it’s published in an academic journal, which can be years after discovery. On the other hand, such information will be immediately disclosed – in part or fully – in an industrial patent.
Elsevier Chats: Paul Foeckler on innovation
In the second of our Elsevier Chats, Content Director Ian Evans interviews Paul Foeckler, Mendeley co-founder and VP of Product Excellence at Elsevier. Paul, we’re talking about innovation today and especially what it means for the research community. We hear the term a lot, but what exactly drives the need for innovation for researchers and research managers? The world’s changing quickly, partly because of the transformation that comes with new digital services.
STEM gender gap is not as straightforward as thought, new research reveals
When Prof. Lara Perez-Felkner set out to investigate the STEM gender gap in the developing world, she found some surprising results: In more economically developed countries that tend to be thought of – and are measured as – having higher levels of gender equity, we actually see a wider gender gap in STEM fields. As Associate Professor of Higher Education and Sociology in the Florida State University College of Education, Lara is among the few researchers focusing on this area.
Shedding light on sustainability research with data science and web-based analytics
We’re facing tough challenges as a society. From global inequality to the climate crisis, the trials facing humanity are complex and far reaching. The research community has responded by becoming more connected, more collaborative and even more focused in addressing these challenges. Much of that focus is around the UN Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Kumsal Bayazit, Elsevier CEO, shares her vision for building a better future in research
Watch a video of Kumsal's presentation Introduction Good morning everyone and thank you for having me here today. I have really been looking forward to coming here to Charleston to meet with and listen to you. It was kind of the organizers to invite me as I know it was not a popular decision with everybody. I genuinely appreciate you including me. I believe in making progress by building bridges, finding common ground, finding linkages.
African swine fever poses a serious threat to global food security, experts say
Since its arrival in Georgia in 2007, African swine fever has spread rapidly, both to the west, through Russia and Europe, and more recently to the east. Although the virus is harmless to humans, the current outbreak of African swine fever could have serious global repercussions for food security and economic stability. Already, China – home to half the world’s pig population – has lost a third of its pigs to the disease (about 100 million), possibly more.
3 mindsets that led to scientific breakthroughs
Their seminal research was done decades ago, but its impact prevails and their approach to science is as timely and relevant as ever. This month, three distinguished scientists traveled to Washington, DC, to accept an unusual and prestigious honor. The Golden Goose Award recognizes "silly sounding" federally-funded research that has led to major breakthroughs in science and medicine.
When peer reviewers go rogue: collaborating with Wageningen University to detect and prevent citation manipulation
Occasionally, adding citations to scientific articles during the peer-review process can contribute to improving the quality and integrity of research. It can also help authors avoid accusations of plagiarism or give their paper more context. However, sometimes editors, reviewers and authors add irrelevant citations with the goal of increasing citations to certain researchers (“citation pushing”) or journals (“citation stacking”).
Vaping hazards: what are the danger signs and how can we prepare?
As a medical toxicologist and member of the American College of Medical Toxicology, I receive email notifications when members post on the ACMT forum, a moderated discussion for members that facilitates the debate, discourse and dissemination of information of interest to the medical toxicology community. On August 5, there was a post from someone who was treating a 16-year-old with severe pulmonary issues, and the physician thought the illness could be related to vaping.
Progress in improving gender diversity in science
Since joining Elsevier, I’ve learned a lot about the important work being done by the Gender Summit in communities around the world and the efforts to forge a deeper understanding of what we all know: that inclusion in research leads to better science more likely to include dimensions such as gender in research, and with more diverse viewpoints on how to approach challenges. We have made a lot of progress over the last 50 years.
The persistent challenges of supporting women in science
Achieving gender equality in STEM will require a multitude of initiatives that address the issues at various levels, from primary school to senior academia, according to speakers at the 16th Gender Summit in Singapore. It is widely agreed that diversity leads to better research outcomes: studies have shown positive links between diverse teams and increased problem-solving capabilities.
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