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With the rise in popularity of open-access publishing, and over 28,000 scientific journals in existence, it's often hard to tell which journals are reputable and which are simply junk. A new study did a cross-section analysis and came up with 13 traits of predatory journals, so now you can tell the difference. Here's how.
 
 

Predatory journals – which are non-indexed, non-archived and lack transparency – have been called a “corruption of the communication of science." Because our organization's mission is to improve the communication of science, we want to stop them in their tracks. But what can be done? 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Significant issues have plagued a paper that appeared in the journal Science since its publication a year ago. Consider the case now closed with the recent ruling that the two primary investigators involved committed scientific misconduct. 

Medicine is a skill, and it's impossible to practice medicine without patients. It would be like asking a carpenter to learn how to make a cabinet without wood. Why then are we surprised that students learn from patients?

If we can tune out, move away from, and shun people with whom we disagree, is this course of action also acceptable? 

Typically, the peer review process is "single-blind," meaning that reviewers are aware of an author's identity. Yet it can also be "double-blind," where neither the author nor the reviewers know each other's identity. But, bottom line: Does knowing who wrote a paper influence the reviewer's opinion of it? 

After five years of living in New York, I have gotten used to just about everything this city brings. With one exception: rats. New research on the genetic diversity of these true New Yorkers shows that they tend to stay local. In fact, it's rare that they even move off of the block where they were born.

Golden rice lives up to its name, both for its color and the beneficial effect it can have on those (especially children) with vitamin A deficiency. Yet, the main obstacle preventing its distribution is the disinformation about genetically-engineered foods spread by anti-GMO Luddites. Let's hope that changes for the holidays.
 
 
 

Humans suffer from "do something syndrome." New research shows that 51% of Americans want to be screened for cancer, even if explicitly told that the cancer screen is completely ineffective.

First fallacy: the mere existence of an opioid pill is why there is a crisis. Finding solutions requires proper identification of a problem. The time is now for the public narrative to follow suit.

Using a novel source of information – obituaries – researchers looked at whether religious affiliation could extend your physical existence on this planet. The short answer is yes. But is there more to it than simply faith?

To halt a perceived gateway to smoking, San Francisco recently banned all flavored tobacco products. The science is complex, which is why there's so much room for each side to claim harm, or no harm. 

While not formally approved by the FDA, the concept is simple: Replenish the good bacteria and control the disease-causing bacteria.

Why do smokers find such solace in cigarettes? It may be the nicotine, and as a study explains those who have a hard time controlling their emotions may turn to smoking as a way to self-medicate. New CDC data completely supports that assertion.

1,4-dioxane is a clear solvent with a mild pleasant fragrance used in the manufacture of other chemicals, a laboratory reagent, a trace contaminant found in cosmetics, detergents, and shampoos It's also found in some foods, either naturally occurring or as a contaminant.

1. The BBC was into poop - the still-ongoing trend of public serial poopers - and linked to work by Dr. Jamie Wells on it. That wasn't the only place this fad was noted. 

Groups like the EPA have used "secret science" to legislate without being accountable to the public the way Congress and the President are. It's time for that to end.

Sunlight is the energy source for photosynthesis. But a new discovery finds that cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, can grow in near-infrared light.

When first hearing about Abilify MyCite, the controversial new digital drug, one might likely recall the famous movie scene from "The Matix" when Neo ingests a red pill that also delivers computer code. It also might make one wonder about the kinds of people being remade through this new biotechnology.

Lovers of escargot, you have company. But they eat a bit differently than you do; they suck snails out of their shells using their special jaw. However, these slithery creatures may not be around too much longer, as they're on the verge of extinction. 
 

It was discovered that Ali Watkins, the newspaper's national security reporter, slept with a source who was an aide to the Senate Intelligence Committee. That source has now been arrested as part of an investigation into leaks of classified information. A breakdown in journalistic ethics, to say the least.

Waiting for surgical care is more common than you think, and it can result in more complications. A Canadian study sheds light on the factors involved in waiting to fix a hip fracture.

Drug co-payments are meant to share costs. But for many drugs, they cover not just the entire cost but a "little something" for pharmacy benefits managers, who structure the deals.

The negative impact of (1) "at-all-costs" breastfeeding campaigns, (2) the political zeal of "lactivism" and (3) societal pressures have done a proven disservice to women and families. So much so that formal health policy had to be changed.

As a closer look at this study reveals, it's important to note an essential distinction between implying that this behavior is an addiction – which it isn't necessarily – as opposed to saying medication is being used "beyond the normal recovery period."