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The authors argue that proposals for British higher education funding should recognize the value of higher education. Topics include the proposed abolition of the government body Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), the continuation of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), and case studies showing the impact of academic research on society.

The contribution of rare and low-frequency variants to human traits is largely unexplored. Here we describe insights from sequencing whole genomes (low read depth, 7×) or exomes (high read depth, 80×) of nearly 10,000 individuals from population-based and disease collections. In extensively phenotyped cohorts we characterize over 24 million novel sequence variants, generate a highly accurate imputation reference panel and identify novel alleles associated with levels of triglycerides (APOB), adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLR and RGAG1) from single-marker and rare variant aggregation tests. We describe population structure and functional annotation of rare and low-frequency variants, use the data to estimate the benefits of sequencing for association studies, and summarize lessons from disease-specific collections. Finally, we make available an extensive resource, including individual-level genetic and phenotypic data and web-based tools to facilitate the exploration of association results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented which discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the British public attitudes toward chemists and chemistry, and the retraction of a same-sex marriage study.

The article focuses on opinion polling during the 2015 British Parliamentary elections, commenting that polling firm Survation correctly predicted the result of the election but buried the result because the results appeared out of line with every other poll, and reflects on the role of anomalous data in scientific research.

The authors argue that scientists should advocate for the creation of marine parks in order to preserve the preservation of ocean life. Topics include the preservation of the sea-horse populations in Studland Bay in England, attempts to create marine conservation zones (MCZs) on the coast of Great Britain, and proposed marine reserves around the British territories Chagos Islands and Pitcairn Islands.

The article discusses a move by Great Britain government funding agencies requiring grant applicants to show how they calculated the number of animals needed to make the results of an experiment statistically robust. Topics discussed include the responsibility of journals to ensure that the research published is reported in sufficient detail and the importance of ensuring that the power of an animal experiment suits its purpose for funders and researchers to contribute.

The article discusses developments in open-access research in Great Britain. Topics mentioned include the open-access publishing of research articles by publicly funded scientists, collaboration between publishers, funders, and researchers on the costs and challenges of open-access publishing, and key barriers to open-access research such as open-access licenses and use of single digital identifier.

A review of article discussing a 2011 report on earthquakes caused by hydraulic fracturing in Great Britain by Huw Clarke and colleagues, published in the periodical "Geophysical Research Letters" in 2014, is presented.

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most complex, persistent and controversial problems facing the British cattle industry, costing the country an estimated £100 million per year. The low sensitivity of the standard diagnostic test leads to considerable ambiguity in determining the main transmission routes of infection, which exacerbates the continuing scientific debate. In turn this uncertainty fuels the fierce public and political disputes on the necessity of controlling badgers to limit the spread of infection. Here we present a dynamic stochastic spatial model for bovine TB in Great Britain that combines within-farm and between-farm transmission. At the farm scale the model incorporates stochastic transmission of infection, maintenance of infection in the environment and a testing protocol that mimics historical government policy. Between-farm transmission has a short-range environmental component and is explicitly driven by movements of individual cattle between farms, as recorded in the Cattle Tracing System. The resultant model replicates the observed annual increase of infection over time as well as the spread of infection into new areas. Given that our model is mechanistic, it can ascribe transmission pathways to each new case; the majority of newly detected cases involve several transmission routes with moving infected cattle, reinfection from an environmental reservoir and poor sensitivity of the diagnostic test all having substantive roles. This underpins our findings on the implications of control measures. Very few of the control options tested have the potential to reverse the observed annual increase, with only intensive strategies such as whole-herd culling or additional national testing proving highly effective, whereas controls focused on a single transmission route are unlikely to be highly effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study conducted by professor Zsofia Kote-Jarai of the Institute for Cancer Research in Sutton, Great Britain and states that researchers have found the reason of missing heritability which is the mismatch between genetic disease risk and common genetic variants.

A letter to the editor is presented related to the topics including general practitioner practice, the National Health Service (NHS) of England's care.data program, and Great Britain's Data Protection Act of 1998.

The article focuses on the importance of the Britain's Science Media Centre (SMC). It discusses the role of SMC in the development of science in the United Kingdom. It further discusses the development of SMC model across the world. It also reflects on the strategy of Fiona Fox, head of the centre, for the development of centre and science in the country.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article regarding the nuclear-waste disposal site in Great Britain.

The author discusses aspects of maximizing the use of public research in Great Britain. He states that the most significant policy moves in open access in 2012 came from Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the Wellcome Trust. He mentions that from April 2013, papers arising from RCUK funding must be made free to access.

The article discusses the plans of the British government to invest 600 million pounds to science projects in recognition of the country's need to develop a more high-tech economy to promote sustainable growth.

The article offers news briefs related to nature as of November 15, 2012. Hisashi Moriguchi of the University of Tokyo has retracted two of his studies in "Scientific Reports," on the use of pluripotent stem cells to treat heart failure. Klaus Wowereit, the Mayor of Berlin, Germany, has announced a deal on November 6, 2012 to form the Berlin Institute of Health. Great Britain's contribution to the European Space Agency will increase by £60 million per year to £240 million.

The author discusses the rise of regional research collaboration which is changing the balance of science worldwide. The author states that collaboration is a good practice, in which knowledge is better transferred and co-authored writings are cited more frequently. The author also mentions co-authorship as a valid alternative for collaboration that reflects tangible engagement between countries such as Germany and Great Britain as well as China and the U.S.

The author discusses the engagement of the British government in science and engineering. The author states that scientific advisers in the country have played their duties successfullt but failed to broader their task. He mentions that the position of scientific advisers are meant to address competitiveness by connecting the divide between engineers and scientist and not to set up secure science budgets.

The article offers news briefs related to policy, business, people and research as of August 9, 2012. An analysis by Brazil's National Institute for Research revealed a 20% decline in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. 23andMe Inc. seeks U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its genetic testing related to health. Radio astronomer and physicists Bernard Lovell who established the Jodrell Bank Observatory at the University of Manchester in England died on August 6, 2012.

A letter to the editor is presented concerning the research supported by the Public and Patient Involvement programme of the Alzheimer's Society in Great Britain which combines scientific and clinical expertise with the insight of people affected by dementia.

The author discusses the initiative of research leaders to address research misconduct. The author says that research integrity has been put in the spotlight worldwide. He states that two studies by InterAcademy Council and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences will be released in 2013 to reflect on the shift of the attitudes by scientists. He adds universities in Great Britain has a voluntary concordat which obliges them to conduct investigation on misconduct allegations.

The article focuses on the increasing number of gene-expression data in Great Britain. It states that with nearly a million gene-expression data already available in publicly accessible repositories in 2012, researchers can determine trends of diseases without having to go to a laboratory. It says that since 2002, gene-expression research data have been required by many scientific journals to be set in public databases like the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).

The article reports that in 2012, the European Commission (EC) joined Great Britain's plan to subject its taxpayer-funded research to open-access starting April 2013. It states that the EC launched a similar suggestion to open up the work financed by its Horizon 2020 research programme. EC vice-president Neelie Kroes says that they lead by example, making European Union (EU)-funded research accessible to all.

A letter to the editor is presented concerning the gold route to open-access research papers in Great Britain.

The author reflects on the issue regarding the inadequacy of libel laws in Great Britain. He states that many people in the country consider libel laws a national embarrassment making politicians change laws on libel. He mentions that there is still time to make changes to the Libel Reform Campaign and suggests that lawmakers add a clause that will protect stories from claims of libel.

The author reflects on the two reports which highlight aspects of the global trends concerning open access to research results. He discusses an analysis of openness in scientific data published by the Royal Society and the Finch report by the British government after Janet Finch, chairman of the committee who delivered it. He adds that authors are required to pay article publishing charges (APCs) to publish their research papers in journals.

The article offers news briefs related to science. It says that the defamation bill introduced in Parliament on May 10, 2012 is expected to protect peer-reviewed statements in scientific or academic journals in Great Britain. It mentions that the Encyclopedia of Life has announced on May 9, 2012 that it has passed the one-million species milestone project. It states that the European Space Agency (ESA) has proclaimed the failure of its premier environmental satellite.

The article comments on recycling plutonium in Great Britain. It is commented that plutonium is dangerous and costly and Britain should take the lead on direct disposal. It refers to the country's plan to manufacture plutonium into fuel for proposed water-cooled nuclear power reactors. It is commented that before any major investments are made, Britain should seriously evaluate the less costly and less risky method of direct plutonium disposal.

The article focuses on the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) also known as the Children of the 90s, a cohort study in Bristol, England that traces how genetic and environmental factors that affect the children in their early years affect their later ones. It mentions that the project deals with phenotyping and biobanking resources of many births. It adds that researchers of the project have to study everything in order to know the things that will affect the future.

The article offers information on the integration of a regional high-resolution climate model in analyzing the duration, extent and intensity of rainfall in the southern part of Great Britain headed by Elizabeth Kendon.

The author reflects on British politicians and scientists who are working together to bring new reproductive techniques in Great Britain. The author shares that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HEFA) released a review saying that they found no scientific evidence that in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques that could cut the number of children with genetic conditions are unsafe. The author also adds that the Wellcome Trust will pay for studies on the techniques.

The author reflects on the issue of research misconduct in Great Britain. He argues that the country must have a regulating body similar to the Office for Research Integrity (ORI) in the U.S. to investigate on possible cases of research misconduct. The author suggests that funders and universities must work together to establish a standard definition of misconduct as basis for a punishment.

The author reflects on the measures of the British government related to research, wherein particular focus is given on the speech of British Science Minister David Willetts to the Policy Exchange in London, England. The author mentions that Willetts wanted a number of British universities rated among the top 100 in the world to grow. Moreover, the author highlights the plans for a university campus in New York that were pushed forward by Cornell University.

The article reports on a surge in withdrawn scientific papers from scholarly literature and on the system for handling such post-publication retractions in Great Britain. It states that retraction notices are increasing to more than 400 notices even though the number of papers published has increased by only 44% since 2001. It cites the British Committee on Publication Ethics' (COPE) survey on editors' attitudes toward retraction which showed inconsistencies in policies and practices.

The author reflects on the potential application of nanotechnology to promote regenerative medicine in Great Britain. The author references the benefit gained by postgraduate student Andemariam Teklesenbet Beyene from a multi-disciplinary approach to surgery using his cancer-riddled windpipe. The author states that research areas on the contribution of nanotechnologists to scientific success should be highlighted by universities, scientists, and funders.

In this article, the authors reflect on the establishment of the James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnerships in Great Britain. The authors mention that the JLA is funded by the Medical Research Institute and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), which brings patients, clinicians and scientists together in identifying the effects of treatments for diseases. The authors also commend the JLA for it values patient input in medical research.

The article presents the report of Royal Society on the rise of international research collaborations worldwide. According to the Royal Society, the number of papers published by renowned authors both in the U.S. and overseas collaborators rose from 50,000 in 1996 to 95,000 in 2008. According to Robert Zeigler, the institute's director general, these partnerships not only boost citation impact, but also broadens research horizons.

The author reflects on the efforts of media organizations to urge the Members of Parliament (MPs) in Great Britain to change the libel laws in Wales and England which inhibit global scientific discussion. The author states that MPs must pay attention to ensure the effectivity of legislative reforms. The author encourages readers to respond to questions through the periodical "Nature" if they want to comment publicly on problematic products or actions of various institutions.

The article reports on the results from Great Britain's 1946 birth cohort study on the influence of early life on adulthood. It reports the results from the 1946 birth cohort known as the National Survey of Health and Development is run by Great Britain's Medical Research Council. It states the cohort study has gained new importance in Great Britain following the educational reforms and budget cuts.

In this article the author discusses the importance of scientific Luddism. He states, scientists have been the biggest Luddites as they reject tons of inventions and innovations, however he states he praises the scientists for rejecting the inventions and ideas as majority of them aren't feasible. He cites the examples of chemist Henry Tizard and physicist Patrick Blackett who protested Great Britain's former prime minister Winston Churchill's war inventions.

The article discusses the relationship of gross domestic products (GDP) and the economy in measuring the economic growth in United kingdom.

The author discusses the impact of immigration cap on British science academic and research institutions and scientists. The author says that there are many specialized science positions which are vacant in Great Britain such as molecular geneticist and bone biologist. The author cites Sanger Institute as one of the British institutions which are in danger of the immigration cap. The author adds that over 230 scientist had been disqualified to have their entry visas in Great Britain.

The article focuses on the assessment of research impacts in universities in Great Britain. It says that the pilot study by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) on the assessment of research impact is workable. It says that funding towards applied research is affected by the added focus on research impact. It also mentions that HEFCE will reveal the final plan for Research Excellence Framework (REF), in which universities stated that there are still problems to be fixed.

The article focuses on the controversy faced by climate scientist Phil Jones after he received electronic mail messages regarding his discovery of a mysterious drop of sea surface temperature in the North Atlantic Sea. It states that Jones was accused of scientific misconduct for allegedly attempting to put up an autocratic government by propagating false hysteria regarding global warming. It adds that Great Britain's parliament also did investigations on him, and declared that he was innocent.

The article focuses on the harmonograph-inspired works of sculptor Conrand Shawcross. It says that Shawcross is becoming famous due to his inventions of philosophical and scientific machines such as the loom spinning helical rope called "The Nervous System," and the wooden spring "Continuum." It also mentions that his sculpture, "Fraction," which was installed in September 2010 at Oxford Science Park in Great Britain, was done using a machine to outline its form that is based from harmonograph.

The author reflects on the plan made by the British government to stop the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in cattle. The author says that the disease is an problem wherein the government spent 63 million dollars in England on 2009. However, the author affirms that killing the cow is not a justifiable way to stop the disease. The author notes that the government collaborated with the Bovine TB Science Advisory Body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in realizing the plan.

The article reflects on the financial challenges faced by the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CASE) in Great Britain. It states that the CASE is confronting with financial challenges as the Conservative-led coalition government is threatening for deep spending cuts in its three-year Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). It notes that deep spending cuts for research and development (R&D) would mean that the government is pursuing a policy that is too conservative to meet its glaring needs.

The article emphasizes the need of Australia and Great Britain to return their focus on climate change.

The author discusses the status of the research community in Great Britain with regards to science. The author notes that the nations ranks second to the U.S. in terms to its contributions to biomedical and environmental sciences. The author cites the advocacy for science in Great Britain wherein he mentions the support of the government to science. Moreover, the author reflects on the preferences and effectiveness of ministers to science researches.

The article investigates the basis for the worry of many climate researchers on the increase of scepticism about global warming and the move made by scientists in 2010. Studies in Great Britain and U.S. reveal that belief in global warming has declined in recent years, but a majority of people still believe climate scientists. Scientists and scientific societies have determined that they had to fight back against the growing misinformation. Scientific societies and scientists use novel approaches to get their message across, such as attempting to humanize climate scientists.