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Editorial Snapshot: Antitrust challenge to unpaid peer review in academic publishing dismissed

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Published: 2026/03/18

- G.A., Senior Editor

In a significant development for the academic community, a U.S. District Judge in New York dismissed an antitrust lawsuit against major academic publishers on January 30, 2026. The case, brought by four scholars including a UCLA neuroscience professor, targeted companies such as Elsevier, John Wiley & Sons, Sage Publications, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, and Wolters Kluwer. These publishers, which collectively generated over $10 billion in revenue from peer-reviewed journals in 2023, were accused of anticompetitive practices that exploit researchers' labor.

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Science News: Emerging challenges in reproductive biomedicine for space exploration

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Published: 2026/03/18

– G.A., Senior Editor

A recent perspective article in Reproductive BioMedicine Online underscores the pressing intersection of reproductive health and space travel amid the rise of commercial spaceflight. Authored by experts including clinical embryologist Giles Palmer and NASA research scientist Dr. Fathi Karouia, the piece reviews how cosmic radiation, microgravity, and disrupted circadian rhythms pose significant risks to human gametogenesis and fertility. With over 65 years of human spaceflight, data remains sparse, particularly for long-duration missions beyond low Earth orbit, highlighting a critical gap in understanding reproductive implications for both professional astronauts and private space tourists.

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Editorial Snapshot: Understanding citation metrics: A guide to choosing the right journal for your paper

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Published: 2026/02/18

- G.A., Senior Editor

Citation metrics play a key role in the decision-making process when selecting a journal for your research paper. While the Impact Factor (IF) is often the most recognized metric, it’s important to consider other factors such as a journal’s 5-year Impact Factor, H-index, and even newer measures like Altmetrics (social media mentions, downloads, etc.). These metrics can provide a broader view of a journal’s influence, both within your field and in the broader scientific community. For example, while a high Impact Factor indicates a journal's overall citation rate, smaller journals with niche audiences might be more relevant for highly specialized topics.

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Science News: Learning from nature: A new approach to the problem of plastic pollution

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Published: 2026/02/18

– G.A., Senior Editor

Researchers are investigating a promising new method to combat plastic pollution by designing materials that break down more easily after use, inspired by natural processes. Traditional plastics remain in the environment for decades due to their chemical structure, which lacks built-in mechanisms for degradation. By studying natural polymers, like DNA and proteins, which have inherent weaknesses that allow them to degrade, scientists are now aiming to replicate these features in synthetic materials. This could drastically reduce the persistence of plastic waste in ecosystems.

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More Articles ...

  1. Editorial Snapshot: Rising threat of impersonation in academic publishing
  2. Science News: Landmark near-cellular simulation of mouse cortex achieved on Japan’s Fugaku supercomputer
  3. Editorial Snapshot: Cambridge University Press urges radical reform in academic publishing
  4. Science News: Multilingualism as a shield against accelerated aging: New evidence from Europe

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