The Conversation

Going, going, gone: wildlife like the loris are disappearing. Credit: N. A. Naseer, CC BY-NC-NDBy Paul Jepson, University of Oxford

Giving publishing power to the people. Credit: Thinglass/ShutterstockBy Gillian Rudd, University of Liverpool

The need for caution when any anomaly is revealed in new research. Credit: Flickr/Adam Gerard, CC BY-NC-SABy Michael J. I. Brown, Monash UniversityUNDERSTANDING RESEARCH: What do we actually mean by research and how does it help inform our understanding of things? What if research throws up a result that calls for a new way of thinking? How do we handle that?

Patterns of emergence are all around us. Credit: Feliciano Guimarães/Flickr, CC BYBy Andy Martin, University of Melbourne and Kristian Helmerson, Monash UniversityFrom the fractal patterns of snowflakes to cellular lifeforms, our universe is full of complex phenomena – but how does this complexity arise?

How many freebies can you carry? Credit: Nottingham Trent University, CC BY-NC-NDBy Kira Shaw, University of Sheffield

Phreatic eruption: Mount Ontake. Credit: EPA/Ministry of Land, InfrastructureBy Rebecca Williams, University of HullMount Ontake, Japan’s second-highest volcano, erupted killing at least 31 people on September 27. Since then, there has been feverish speculation about why tourists were on an active volcano and why the eruption wasn’t predicted.

Women ask why there aren't more women in lists of top scientists. Credit: Katrina Cole, CC BY-NCBy Victoria Metcalf, Lincoln University, New ZealandA steady infiltration of scientists onto Twitter has accompanied the growing recognition that a social media presence is just as important as taking the podium at a conference.

When a dog is rabid, it's time to run. Credit: Mytoenailcameoff, CC BY-NC-SABy Katie Hampson, University of Glasgow

Dave ‘Bear’ Duerson, 22, in action. Credit: PABy Jordan Gaines Lewis, Penn State College of MedicineAh, football. The great American pastime.The freshly cut grass and crisply-painted yard lines. The sound of helmets clashing in an epic stack of large men vying for a single ball. Stands packed high with thousands upon thousands of crazed, prideful, body-painted fanatics. Dementia, confusion, and depression.Wait, what? That last bit may not be present on game day, but for many football players, it’s brewing all along – with every clash, tackle, and fall.

Credit: Flickr/Steve Jurvetson, CC BYBy Kelly E Matthews, The University of QueenslandResearch suggests science graduates are struggling with essential quantitative skills and science degree programs are to blame.Quantitative skills are the bread and butter of science. More than calculating right answers, quantitative skills are defined by applying mathematical and statistical reasoning to scientific and everyday problems.

Norway to the rescue? Credit: Travis Lupick, CC BY-NC-SABy Steffen Böhm, University of Essex and Katharine Rockett, University of Essex

Just don't forget to listen scientists too. Credit: EPABy Toby Miller, Cardiff UniversityWho should political leaders follow when it comes to climate change: environmental scientists, powerful corporations, or a million marchers? Sometimes the three groups disagree, sometimes they concur; but even then, their claims to authority are based on different and frequently conflicting ideas. The recent United Nations climate summit highlighted the confusion over how best to make progress.