Nobel prize in Chemistry 2014

I used to predict the Nobel prize in Chemistry on my nano-blog, Nanotella.com. This year, I wasn't going to guess anything as the Chemistry prize became Biochemistry prize recently. But then Thompson Reuters announced the citation laurates, in which my postdoc advisor Galen Stucky and his former pdoc Peidong Yang are listed. Also, Ryong Ryoo of where I work, was suggested to share the chemistry prize. What an interesting turnabout. Let's cross the fingers.

America's coal dilemma

Just like Clinton (who didn't sign the Kyoto protocol to cut down the CO2 emissions) Obama is now under pressure to wage war against coal. This dirtiest fossil fuel is the prime target for CO2 cutting pledges and while showing off their enthusiasm on TV, all American presidents (and administrations) feared of strong repercussions from coal industry. The famous example is Al Gore, who had the power to cut the emissions (and didn't), and yet came out to be a climate change champion (once he lost all his powers). Sincerity is hard to be found in politicians.

This time the issue is about the coal mine in Somerset Colorado, whether or not to extend the ban of producing coal into a permanent one. History will repeat once again and Obama will find himself in the same dilemma of the other presidents - not being brave enough to stop the coal industry. 

Journals for sale

It seems like you can make money in trading your already esteemed journal. But how do you know the new owners will treat your baby the same way you did? The journal named experimental clinical cardiology switched hands to unknown, un-everything people who are willing "to publish anything for $1,200". Beware.

Nature and Science may reject you but you still can get a Nobel prize

At least this wonderful collection of success stories (by Nikolai Slavov) without the Nature - Science pathway prove the statement: you don't need to publish to not perish. You can even end up getting a Nobel prize.

My favorite quote is from the PCR guy:

Kary Mullis: I knew PCR would spread across the world like wild fire. This time there was no doubt in my mind: Nature would publish it. They rejected it. So did Science …  F*** them, I said