Scientific inquiry involves observations and measurements, some of which are planned and some of which are not. The most interesting or unusual observations might be regarded as discoveries and therefore particularly worthy of publication. However, the observational process is fraught with inferential land mines, especially if the discoveries are serendipitous. Multiple observations increase th...

The evolutionary significance of sexual reproduction and genetic recombination is a long-standing puzzle. Some recent experiments on Drosophila show that a lack of recombination can impede adaptive evolution.

The JRF’s recent public consultation revealed a strong sense of unease about some of the changes shaping British society. This Viewpoint continues the discussion about modern ‘social evils’ on the theme of ‘distrusting and fearful society’. Anna Minton argues that the cause of growing fear and distrust is visible physical inequality and segregation in the environment, combined with a commercial...

Though many scholars find that incumbent party legislators benefit from higher access to distributive resources than opposition ones, there is less attention on how are distributed among districts. In most contexts, districts cannot be fully cut off funds and get credit for spending in their constituencies, which harms the ruling party. I argue that, such situations, will discriminate between i...