Open Science: the Very Idea

Open Science: the Very Idea
Author: Frank Miedema
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 265
Release: 2021-10-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9402421157

This open access book provides a broad context for the understanding of current problems of science and of the different movements aiming to improve the societal impact of science and research. The author offers insights with regard to ideas, old and new, about science, and their historical origins in philosophy and sociology of science, which is of interest to a broad readership. The book shows that scientifically grounded knowledge is required and helpful in understanding intellectual and political positions in various discussions on the grand challenges of our time and how science makes impact on society. The book reveals why interventions that look good or even obvious, are often met with resistance and are hard to realize in practice. Based on a thorough analysis, as well as personal experiences in aids research, university administration and as a science observer, the author provides - while being totally open regarding science's limitations- a realistic narrative about how research is conducted, and how reliable ‘objective’ knowledge is produced. His idea of science, which draws heavily on American pragmatism, fits in with the global Open Science movement. It is argued that Open Science is a truly and historically unique movement in that it translates the analysis of the problems of science into major institutional actions of system change in order to improve academic culture and the impact of science, engaging all actors in the field of science and academia.

Navigating Life Transitions for Meaning

Navigating Life Transitions for Meaning
Author: Elizabeth M. Altmaier
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 198
Release: 2020-07-07
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0128188502

Navigating Life Transitions for Meaning explores the central human motivation of meaning making, and its counterpart, meaning disruption. The book describes different types of specific transitions, details how specific transitions affect an individual differently, and provides appropriate clinical approaches. The book examines the effects of life transitions on the component parts of meaning in life, including making sense (coherence), driving life goals (purpose), significance (mattering), and continuity. The book covers a range of transitions, including developmental (e.g., adolescence to adulthood), personal (e.g., illness onset, becoming a parent, and bereavement), and career (e.g., military deployment, downshifting, and retiring). Life transitions are experienced by all persons, and the influence of those transitions are tremendous. It is essential for clinicians to understand how transitions can disrupt life and how to help clients successfully navigate these changes. - Covers cultural transitions, such as immigration and religious conversion - Examines health transitions, such as cancer survivorship and acquired disability - Uses a positive psychology framework to understand transitions - Includes bulleted 'take-away' summaries of key points in each chapter - Provides clinical applications of theory to practice

Bridges to Independence

Bridges to Independence
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 173
Release: 2005-08-26
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 030909626X

A rising median age at which PhD's receive their first research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is among the factors forcing academic biomedical researchers to spend longer periods of time before they can set their own research directions and establish there independence. The fear that promising prospective scientists will choose other career paths has raised concerns about the future of biomedical research in the United States. At the request of NIH, the National Academies conducted a study on ways to address these issues. The report recommends that NIH make fostering independence of biomedical researchers an agencywide goal, and that it take steps to provide postdocs and early-career investigators with more financial support for their own research, improve postdoc mentoring and establish programs for new investigators and staff scientists among other mechanisms.

Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development

Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development
Author: Toby Freedman
Publisher: CSHL Press
Total Pages: 408
Release: 2008
Genre: Biotechnology
ISBN: 0879697253

An essential guide for students in the life sciences, established researchers, and career counselors, this resource features discussions of job security, future trends, and potential career paths. Even those already working in the industry will find helpful information on how to take advantage of opportunities within their own companies and elsewhere.

Health Systems in Transition

Health Systems in Transition
Author: Miguel A. González Block
Publisher: University of Toronto Press
Total Pages: 271
Release: 2021-04-07
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 148753843X

This is the first book to fully review the Mexican health system, its organization and governance, health financing, health care provision, health reforms, and health system performance. The book is based on the most recent data and focuses on the three main components that constitute Mexico’s health system: 1) employment-based social insurance programs, 2) public assistance services for the uninsured, and 3) a private sector composed of service providers, insurers, and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers and distributors.

Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism

Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2004-03-02
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309089778

In recent years much has happened to justify an examination of biological research in light of national security concerns. The destructive application of biotechnology research includes activities such as spreading common pathogens or transforming them into even more lethal forms. Policymakers and the scientific community at large must put forth a vigorous and immediate response to this challenge. This new book by the National Research Council recommends that the government expand existing regulations and rely on self-governance by scientists rather than adopt intrusive new policies. One key recommendation of the report is that the government should not attempt to regulate scientific publishing but should trust scientists and journals to screen their papers for security risks, a task some journals have already taken up. With biological information and tools widely distributed, regulating only U.S. researchers would have little effect. A new International Forum on Biosecurity should encourage the adoption of similar measures around the world. Seven types of risky studies would require approval by the Institutional Biosafety Committees that already oversee recombinant DNA research at some 400 U.S. institutions. These "experiments of concern" include making an infectious agent more lethal and rendering vaccines powerless.

The Major Transitions in Evolution Revisited

The Major Transitions in Evolution Revisited
Author: Brett Calcott
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 330
Release: 2011-04-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0262294532

Drawing on recent advances in evolutionary biology, prominent scholars return to the question posed in a pathbreaking book: how evolution itself evolved. In 1995, John Maynard Smith and Eörs Szathmáry published their influential book The Major Transitions in Evolution. The "transitions" that Maynard Smith and Szathmáry chose to describe all constituted major changes in the kinds of organisms that existed but, most important, these events also transformed the evolutionary process itself. The evolution of new levels of biological organization, such as chromosomes, cells, multicelled organisms, and complex social groups radically changed the kinds of individuals natural selection could act upon. Many of these events also produced revolutionary changes in the process of inheritance, by expanding the range and fidelity of transmission, establishing new inheritance channels, and developing more open-ended sources of variation. Maynard Smith and Szathmáry had planned a major revision of their work, but the death of Maynard Smith in 2004 prevented this. In this volume, prominent scholars (including Szathmáry himself) reconsider and extend the earlier book's themes in light of recent developments in evolutionary biology. The contributors discuss different frameworks for understanding macroevolution, prokaryote evolution (the study of which has been aided by developments in molecular biology), and the complex evolution of multicellularity.

A New Biology for the 21st Century

A New Biology for the 21st Century
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 113
Release: 2009-11-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309147867

Now more than ever, biology has the potential to contribute practical solutions to many of the major challenges confronting the United States and the world. A New Biology for the 21st Century recommends that a "New Biology" approach-one that depends on greater integration within biology, and closer collaboration with physical, computational, and earth scientists, mathematicians and engineers-be used to find solutions to four key societal needs: sustainable food production, ecosystem restoration, optimized biofuel production, and improvement in human health. The approach calls for a coordinated effort to leverage resources across the federal, private, and academic sectors to help meet challenges and improve the return on life science research in general.

Life Transitions

Life Transitions
Author: Eric A. Kreuter
Publisher: Nova Science Publishers
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2017
Genre: Adjustment (Psychology)
ISBN: 9781536117868

We all face challenges in todays complex, competitive, and busy world. Problems sometimes seem overwhelming. Avoidance of negativity often requires a healthy balance between living in the now and planning for an uncertain, but hopeful future. The authors refer to turning points or life transitions, events which can be either wonderful and invigorating or anxiety-inducing and daunting. Turning points, even minor ones, may increase a sense of lifes meaning or they can have the opposite effect. Turning points might include, for example, the birth or death of children or grandchildren, the relocation of close relatives or friends, serious and disabling accidents, diseases or impairments, sudden and unexpected loss of employment, and environmental disasters that result in loss of property, stability or health. They might include the death of a loved one, for example, a spouse, life partner or companion, or being victimized criminally, by theft or fraud, or being assaulted, with continuing physical or emotional consequences. Turning points could include being required to undertake caretaking responsibilities for a spouse or parents, retirement and the question of how one should profitably spend ones time. Presentation of a new career opportunity, where life skill and experience is coveted, could involve a positive transition. Negative events can dramatically alter a lifes trajectory, resulting in major shifts in outlook, mood or motivation. These may, in turn, cause a downward spiral, particularly if the aftermath is severe. On the other hand, turning points may stimulate a life in positive ways. As our society ages, many of us have become (or will become) part-time or even full-time caretakers of our parents. Such responsibilities can prevent or delay a desired relocation or cause us to reconfigure a home to accommodate an older relatives physical needs. This book provides tools for therapists and coaches in the business of helping people with their difficulties. It is also for people who happen to be engaged in their own efforts to address lifes circumstances with openness and a desire to find new ways of confronting problems. Rather than simply calling this method self-help, we can look at it as a willing entrée into the exciting world of change with all of its possibilities. Through the authors personal experiences, lives of anxiety and fear can often be steered to calmer waters, avoiding or lessening the turbulence of life events. Resilience can be enhanced, lessening the severity of a past traumas effects. Realistic improvement is possible for those willing to seek its possibilities. The authors, writing from somewhat different ends of the personal belief spectrum (one a devout Catholic and the other an acknowledged non-believer), present this volume for readers to interpret rather than to promote a common position with respect to a particular theological or philosophical position regarding religion, faith, or God. In terms of showing support for the common betterment of society, and a respect for the spectrum and diversity of our different beliefs, the authors could not agree more.

The Major Transitions in Evolution

The Major Transitions in Evolution
Author: John Maynard Smith
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 361
Release: 1997-10-30
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 019850294X

During evolution there have been several major changes in the way genetic information is organized and transmitted from one generation to the next. These transitions include the origin of life itself, the first eukaryotic cells, reproduction by sexual means, the appearance of multicellular plants and animals, the emergence of cooperation and of animal societies. This is the first book to discuss all these major transitions and their implications for our understanding of evolution.Clearly written and illustrated with many original diagrams, this book will be welcomed by students and researchers in the fields of evolutionary biology, ecology, and genetics.