Who publishes the journal Nature?

Nature is published by Springer Nature, an international scientific publishing company.

What was the impact factor of Nature according to the 2022 Journal Citation Reports?

According to the Science Edition of the 2022 Journal Citation Reports, Nature had an impact factor of 50.5, making it one of the world's most-read and prestigious academic journals.

When was the journal Nature first published?

Nature was first published in the autumn of 1869.

Who were the key figures involved in the founding of Nature?

Nature was founded by Norman Lockyer and Alexander MacMillan.

What was the original purpose of Nature when it was founded?

Nature was initially created as a public forum for scientific innovations and to provide cultivated readers with an accessible platform for learning about advances in scientific knowledge.

How has Nature's editorial focus evolved since its founding?

Since its founding, Nature has expanded its editorial efforts to include more explanatory content and scientific journalism. In recent decades, it has also established a network of international editorial offices and launched supplementary specialty publications.

What is the acceptance rate for papers submitted to Nature?

Fewer than 8% of the papers submitted to Nature are accepted for publication, indicating a highly selective editorial process.

What prestigious award did Nature receive in 2007?

In 2007, Nature, along with the journal Science, received the Prince of Asturias Award for Communications and Humanity.

What is the distinction between research papers and spotlight articles in Nature?

Research papers in Nature are peer-reviewed articles summarizing scientific work, while spotlight articles are more like news or magazine pieces that do not count towards the journal's impact factor and may be sponsored.

What was the state of scientific publishing in languages other than English during the 19th century?

During the 19th century, scientific progress was primarily documented in journals published in German and French, alongside English.

What were the most respected scientific journals in Britain prior to Nature's establishment?

The most respected scientific journals in Britain before Nature were the refereed journals of the Royal Society, which had published works by prominent scientists like Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, and Charles Darwin.

How did popular science magazines evolve in Britain during the mid-19th century?

The number of popular science periodicals in Britain doubled between the 1850s and 1860s, with the aim of connecting the public to the scientific world.

What happened to the British science journals that preceded Nature?

Journals like Recreative Science, Intellectual Observer, Popular Science Review, Quarterly Journal of Science, Scientific Opinion, and The Reader, which were precursors to Nature, all ultimately ceased publication, with Popular Science Review having the longest run of 20 years.

What inspired the name of the journal Nature?

The name 'Nature' was inspired by a line from a poem by William Wordsworth.

What was the role of the X Club in the early days of Nature?

The X Club, a group of scientists known for their progressive views and support for Darwin's theory of evolution, contributed many articles to the early editions of Nature, influencing its content and direction.

Who succeeded Norman Lockyer as the editor of Nature?

Sir Richard Gregory succeeded Norman Lockyer as the editor of Nature in 1919.

How did Sir Richard Gregory contribute to Nature's international standing?

Sir Richard Gregory was instrumental in establishing Nature within the international scientific community by consistently providing space in its columns for reports on the activities of international scientific unions.

When did Nature establish its first overseas editorial offices?

Nature established its first overseas editorial office in Washington D.C. in 1970, followed by offices in other major cities globally in subsequent years.

What significant structural change occurred in Nature's publication schedule in 1971?

In 1971, under John Maddox's editorship, Nature was split into three separate publications: Nature Physical Sciences, Nature New Biology, and the main Nature journal. These were later merged back into a single Nature journal in 1974.

When did Nature begin publishing its 'Nature Reviews' series?

The Nature Reviews series of journals was launched by Nature Publishing Group in 1999.

For the first time, when did Nature endorse a US presidential candidate, and who was it?

Nature endorsed an American presidential candidate for the first time in October 2008, supporting Barack Obama during his election campaign.

What was Nature's policy regarding article sharing introduced in December 2014?

In December 2014, Nature announced it would allow subscribers and select media outlets to share links for free, read-only access to its content via the ReadCube system, though this was not a full open access model due to usage restrictions.

What is the significance of being published in Nature?

Publication in Nature carries significant prestige within academia, often leading to increased citations, promotions, grant funding, and attention from the mainstream media.

What did studies find regarding the reliability of research published in high-prestige journals like Nature?

Studies have indicated that some high-prestige journals, including Nature, may publish research with methodological flaws, and that the overall reliability of published research in certain fields might be decreasing as journal rank increases.

What is the typical process for peer review at Nature?

Submitted papers undergo an initial screening by an editor. If deemed topical and groundbreaking, they are sent for peer review by external experts. However, the majority of submitted papers are rejected without undergoing peer review.

How has Nature's mission statement evolved since its founding?

Nature's original mission was to inform the public about scientific results and advocate for science in education and daily life, while also aiding scientists. It was later revised to emphasize prompt publication of significant advances, providing a forum for scientific news and discussion, and ensuring the rapid dissemination of scientific results to the public.

Can you name a few landmark scientific breakthroughs first published in Nature?

Nature has published numerous landmark breakthroughs, including the Davisson-Germer experiment demonstrating the wave nature of particles (1927), J. Chadwick's paper on the neutron (1932), the discovery of nuclear fission by Meitner and Frisch (1939), the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick (1953), and the cloning of Dolly the sheep (1997).

What controversy surrounded a 2017 Nature editorial on historical statues?

A 2017 editorial in Nature suggested supplementing rather than removing statues of scientists with controversial pasts, such as J. Marion Sims. The editorial faced significant criticism for being insensitive and potentially racist, leading Nature to acknowledge it was 'offensive and poorly worded' and subsequently revise it.

What are some examples of papers that Nature has acknowledged rejecting despite their later significance?

Nature has acknowledged rejecting significant work such as the discovery of Cherenkov radiation, Hideki Yukawa's theory on mesons, research on photosynthesis by Deisenhofer, Huber, and Michel, and Stephen Hawking's work on black-hole radiation.

What was the outcome of Jacques Benveniste's controversial 'water memory' paper published in Nature in 1988?

Jacques Benveniste's paper on 'water memory,' which claimed highly diluted antibodies could trigger immune responses, generated significant attention but was later refuted by replication studies mandated by Nature, demonstrating the results were unreliable.

Why did Nature not send the Watson and Crick DNA structure paper for peer review?

Nature's editor, John Maddox, stated that the Watson and Crick paper on the DNA structure was not peer-reviewed because its correctness was self-evident, and any scientist in the field would immediately recognize its validity.

What happened to Enrico Fermi's paper on beta decay theory when submitted to Nature?

Enrico Fermi's groundbreaking paper on the weak interaction theory of beta decay was rejected by Nature because the editors considered it too far removed from reality. The paper was subsequently published in the German journal Zeitschrift für Physik.

What was Nature's apology regarding its early coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Nature apologized for its initial reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic that linked China and Wuhan with the outbreak, acknowledging that this coverage may have contributed to racist attacks.

What fraudulent papers were published by Jan Hendrik Schön in Nature, and what was the outcome?

Between 2000 and 2001, Nature published five papers by Jan Hendrik Schön on semiconductors that were later found to contain falsified data and scientific fraud. These papers were retracted by Nature in 2003.

What distinction did a 2002 Nature paper retraction achieve?

A paper published in Nature in 2002 concerning the pluripotency of mesenchymal stem cells was retracted in 2024 due to concerns about figure panels, making it the most-cited retracted paper on record.

When did Nature begin publishing science fiction short stories, and in what series?

Nature began publishing science fiction short stories in 1999 as part of a series called 'Futures'.

What award did Nature receive for its 'Futures' science fiction series?

In 2005, Nature was honored with the European Science Fiction Society's Best Publisher award for its 'Futures' series of science fiction stories.

What collections of 'Futures' stories have been published?

Two collections of 'Futures' stories have been published: 'Futures from Nature' in 2008 and 'Futures from Nature 2' in 2014.

What is the Nature Podcast, and when was it introduced?

The Nature Podcast was introduced in 2005 and features highlights from each issue, including interviews with authors and journalists covering the research. It is presented by Kerri Smith.

Who founded and produced the initial episodes of the Nature Podcast?

The Nature Podcast was founded and its first 100 episodes were produced and presented by Chris Smith, associated with 'The Naked Scientists'.

What was Nature Portfolio's policy regarding author self-archiving starting in 2002?

Starting in 2002, Nature Portfolio supported author self-archiving by requesting an exclusive license to publish rather than requiring authors to transfer copyright, allowing authors to post their contributions on personal websites.

What specialized journals are published under the Nature Portfolio?

Nature Portfolio publishes specialized journals such as Nature Neuroscience, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Methods, Nature Clinical Practice series, Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Nature Chemistry, and the Nature Reviews series.

What are the 'Communications journals' published by Nature?

Nature publishes a series of journals prefixed with 'Communications,' which complement its other publications and cover various scientific disciplines. Examples include Communications Biology, Communications Chemistry, and Communications Physics.

What is the citation for the paper describing the structure of DNA?

The paper describing the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick was published in Nature in 1953.

What is the citation for the paper that first reported the cloning of a mammal (Dolly the sheep)?

The paper detailing the first cloning of a mammal, Dolly the sheep, was published in Nature in 1997 by Wilmut et al.

What is the citation for the paper that identified the ozone hole?

The discovery of the ozone hole was reported in Nature in 1985 in a paper by J. C. Farman, B. G. Gardiner, and J. D. Shanklin.

Where can one find freely available scans of Nature's early volumes?

Freely available scans of Nature volumes 1 through 112 (from 1869 to 1923) can be found on the Biodiversity Library website.

What is the official website for the journal Nature?

The official website for the journal Nature is nature.com.

What is the Nature Index?

The Nature Index is a database that provides tracking of research output and collaboration across academic institutions and countries.

What was the cost for open access publication in Nature journals as of a certain period?

As of a certain point, Nature journals charged €9500 for an article to be made freely available to read online (open access).

Nature Journal Wiki: Nature's Nexus: The Journal Shaping Scientific Discourse

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Journal Overview

British Origins, Global Reach

Nature is a distinguished British weekly scientific journal, established in London in 1869. It functions as a premier multidisciplinary publication, featuring peer-reviewed research across a vast spectrum of academic disciplines, primarily focusing on science and technology. With core editorial offices strategically located in the United States, continental Europe, and Asia, it operates under the international publishing entity Springer Nature.

Prestige and Influence

Consistently recognized among the world's most cited and prestigious academic journals, Nature boasts an extensive online readership. Its impact factor, a key metric in academic circles, underscores its significant influence, making it a vital platform for researchers seeking to disseminate impactful findings and engage with the global scientific community.

Core Mission

Nature's enduring mission is twofold: to promptly publish significant scientific advances for researchers and to provide a robust forum for discussing scientific news and issues. Concurrently, it strives to ensure that scientific discoveries are rapidly communicated to the public, highlighting their broader significance for knowledge, culture, and daily life.

Historical Trajectory

Genesis and Early Years

Founded by Norman Lockyer and Alexander Macmillan, Nature emerged during a period of significant scientific and industrial advancement in 19th-century Britain. It was conceived as a public forum for scientific innovation, aiming to connect the public with scientific progress. Unlike its predecessors, which often faltered, Nature's blend of scientific reporting and journalistic community-building, supported by the Macmillan family's backing, contributed to its sustained success.

Global Expansion

The journal's international presence expanded significantly from the late 1980s onwards, with the establishment of editorial offices across major global hubs. This expansion facilitated broader coverage and engagement with scientific developments worldwide, solidifying its position as a truly international publication.

Evolution and Adaptation

Throughout its history, Nature has adapted to the evolving scientific landscape. This included editorial expansions into scientific journalism, the creation of specialized supplementary publications (like Nature Materials), and the adoption of digital platforms, including its own website and podcast, demonstrating a continuous commitment to innovation in scientific communication.

Editorial Leadership

Key Figures

The journal's editorial direction has been shaped by influential figures. Norman Lockyer, the founder, set the initial vision. Sir Richard Gregory, succeeding him, emphasized international scientific contacts. John Maddox served multiple tenures, significantly influencing the journal's direction and its engagement with scientific journalism. Philip Campbell oversaw a period of substantial growth, and Magdalena Skipper currently leads the editorial team.

Editorial Process

Nature employs a rigorous editorial process. Submissions undergo initial screening by editors. Those deemed sufficiently groundbreaking and topical are sent for peer review, where external experts evaluate the research. This selective process means fewer than 8% of submitted papers are ultimately accepted, ensuring a high standard of published work.

Publication Content

Research Articles

The primary content consists of highly technical, peer-reviewed research papers (articles and letters). These often represent summaries of larger works and are internationally acclaimed for maintaining rigorous research standards. Innovations and breakthroughs across all scientific fields are featured.

News and Commentary

Beyond research, Nature includes articles of general interest to the scientific community. These cover crucial aspects such as business, funding, scientific ethics, and significant research advancements. Dedicated columns and news features provide context and analysis.

Landmark Discoveries

Nature has been the venue for publishing many of history's most pivotal scientific breakthroughs. From the wave nature of particles and the discovery of the neutron to the structure of DNA, nuclear fission, plate tectonics, the identification of pulsars, the ozone hole, cloning, and the human genome project, the journal has documented transformative moments in scientific history.

Impact and Metrics

Citation and Recognition

Publication in Nature confers significant prestige, often leading to career advancements, enhanced grant funding, and media attention. The journal's high impact factor reflects its role in driving scientific citation and recognition. However, like many high-prestige journals, its impact factor is characterized by a long tail, meaning a few highly cited papers significantly influence the overall metric.

Readership and Access

Nature maintains a substantial global readership, with millions accessing its content online monthly. While many articles are behind a paywall, the journal has explored various access models, including limited free sharing initiatives, balancing accessibility with its publishing model.

Awards and Recognition

In recognition of its contribution to scientific communication, Nature, alongside Science, received the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award for Communications and Humanity in 2007. This award highlights the journal's role in bridging science and society.

Navigating Controversy

Historical Missteps

Nature's history includes instances of rejecting groundbreaking work, such as papers on Cherenkov radiation and meson theory, and later acknowledging these as editorial errors. The journal has also faced criticism for its handling of controversial topics, including an editorial on historical statues that caused significant backlash due to its perceived insensitivity and problematic framing.

Scientific Integrity

The journal has published papers that were later retracted due to concerns about data integrity or fraud, such as the Jan Hendrik Schön scandal in semiconductors. It has also published controversial research, like the "water memory" studies, which were subsequently refuted through rigorous replication efforts, highlighting the challenges in maintaining scientific rigor and public trust.

Addressing Criticism

In response to criticism, Nature has issued apologies and revised its editorial stances, demonstrating a commitment to learning from past mistakes. The journal actively engages with feedback, publishing selected letters of response and updating its editorial policies to foster a more inclusive and responsible scientific dialogue.

Literary Contributions

The "Futures" Series

Since 1999, Nature has featured a series of short science fiction stories titled "Futures." This initiative, which has appeared periodically and then weekly since 2007, showcases speculative fiction exploring scientific themes. The series has garnered recognition, including the European Science Fiction Society's Best Publisher award, and has been compiled into published collections.

Publishing Practices

Open Access and Self-Archiving

Nature Portfolio supports scholarly communication through various models. It was an early adopter of allowing authors to post their work on personal websites. For specific content, such as primary genome sequences, Creative Commons licenses are employed. However, the journal also engages in paid publication models, where authors can pay for their articles to be freely accessible.

Related Publications

Beyond the flagship journal, Nature Portfolio publishes numerous specialized "Communications" journals across diverse fields (e.g., Nature Physics, Nature Materials, Communications Biology). These publications extend the journal's reach and cater to specific scientific communities.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Nature (journal) Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This content has been generated by an AI model and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on data extracted from publicly available sources, primarily Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the provided source material, the information may not be exhaustive, entirely up-to-date, or free from interpretation.

This is not professional advice. The information presented here does not constitute editorial, publishing, or academic consultation. Readers are encouraged to consult official Nature publications and academic resources for definitive information. The creators of this page are not liable for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided.

Nature's Nexus

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Journal Overview ℹ️

🇬🇧 British Origins, Global Reach

⭐ Prestige and Influence

🔬 Core Mission

Historical Trajectory 📜

🕰️ Genesis and Early Years

🌍 Global Expansion

🚀 Evolution and Adaptation

Editorial Leadership 👨‍🔬

👑 Key Figures

🤝 Editorial Process

Publication Content 📄

📚 Research Articles

📰 News and Commentary

✨ Landmark Discoveries

Impact and Metrics 📈

📊 Citation and Recognition

🌐 Readership and Access

🏆 Awards and Recognition

Navigating Controversy ⚠️

⚖️ Historical Missteps

🔬 Scientific Integrity

💬 Addressing Criticism

Literary Contributions 📚

📖 The "Futures" Series

Publishing Practices ✍️

📄 Open Access and Self-Archiving

🔗 Related Publications

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

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Academic Integrity Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Journal Overview

British Origins, Global Reach

Prestige and Influence

Core Mission

Historical Trajectory

Genesis and Early Years

Global Expansion

Evolution and Adaptation

Editorial Leadership

Key Figures

Editorial Process

Publication Content

Research Articles

News and Commentary

Landmark Discoveries

Impact and Metrics

Citation and Recognition

Readership and Access

Awards and Recognition

Navigating Controversy

Historical Missteps

Scientific Integrity

Addressing Criticism

Literary Contributions

The "Futures" Series

Publishing Practices

Open Access and Self-Archiving

Related Publications

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Integrity Disclaimer

Important Notice