Understanding the Growth of Scientific Knowledge in Yeast Biology
Author Information
Author(s): He Xionglei, Zhang Jianzhi
Primary Institution: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
Hypothesis
How does the growth of scientific knowledge in yeast biology occur over time?
Conclusion
The study reveals that scientific knowledge in yeast biology grows exponentially, but familiar subjects are studied more than new ones, leading to a slower pace of innovation.
Supporting Evidence
- The growth of scientific knowledge in yeast biology is exponential over time.
- Important subjects are studied earlier than less familiar ones.
- Smaller research teams tend to produce more discoveries per researcher.
Takeaway
Scientists have been learning about yeast for a long time, and they find new things faster when they study familiar topics instead of new ones.
Methodology
Temporal network analysis of three decades of discoveries of protein and genetic interactions in baker's yeast.
Potential Biases
There may be a bias towards studying known genes rather than exploring new ones due to the perceived rewards of familiarity.
Limitations
The study may not account for all discoveries and relies on data from the BioGRID database, which could have omissions.
Participant Demographics
The study involved 11,238 researchers contributing to 5,400 publications.
Statistical Information
P-Value
1.8×10−17
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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