Science (journal)

Science (journal)
Title	Science
Editor	Holden Thorp
Discipline	Multidisciplinary science
Publisher	American Association for the Advancement of Science
Country	United States
History	1880–present
Frequency	Weekly
Impact year	2022
Impact	56.9
ISSN	0036-8075
EISSN	1095-9203
Website	https://www.science.org
OCLC	1644869

Science (journal). It is one of the world's most prestigious peer-reviewed academic journals, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. First established in 1880, it covers a vast range of scientific disciplines, from astronomy and physics to molecular biology and climate science. The journal is renowned for publishing groundbreaking original research, comprehensive reviews, and timely news on science policy, making it a cornerstone of the global scientific community.

History and founding

The journal was founded in 1880 in New York City by journalist John Michaels with financial backing from inventor Thomas Edison and later supported by Alexander Graham Bell. However, it struggled financially and ceased publication within a year. The modern incarnation was established in 1883 after the assets were acquired by entomologist Samuel H. Scudder. In 1894, it was transferred to the American Association for the Advancement of Science under the leadership of astronomer Simon Newcomb. Key early editors included James McKeen Cattell and later Edwin Bidwell Wilson, who helped solidify its scientific reputation. The journal's offices moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1975 and later to its current headquarters in Washington, D.C., reflecting its central role in science policy.

Editorial scope and impact

The journal publishes original research across all major scientific fields, with particular emphasis on significant, interdisciplinary advances. Its scope includes the life sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, and social sciences. The editorial process is overseen by a team of professional editors, including the current editor-in-chief, Holden Thorp, and is guided by an international board of leading scientists. It maintains one of the highest impact factors among multidisciplinary journals, often compared to rivals like Nature and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Beyond research articles, its content includes sections like News & Analysis, which covers developments from institutions like NASA and the National Institutes of Health, and Policy Forum, discussing issues relevant to bodies such as the United Nations.

Notable articles and discoveries

Throughout its history, the journal has published numerous seminal papers that have shaped modern science. In 1920, it published Robert A. Millikan's article on his oil-drop experiment measuring the charge of the electron. A 1953 paper by James Watson and Francis Crick detailed the double-helix structure of DNA, based on data from Rosalind Franklin. In 1980, it featured the first report on the Montreal Protocol-relevant discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole by Joseph Farman. More recently, it has published pivotal studies on CRISPR gene editing by researchers like Jennifer Doudna, reports from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, and major findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on global warming.

Publication and access

The journal is published weekly by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. It is available in both print and digital formats through its online platform. While much content is behind a subscription paywall, the journal operates an embargo system for press releases and provides limited free access through initiatives like Science Translational Medicine and Science Advances. Its articles are indexed in major databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The publication also hosts podcasts and multimedia content, and its news division is a primary source for outlets like The New York Times and the BBC.

Awards and recognition

The journal itself does not typically give awards, but publication within it is considered a major accolade for researchers. Papers published have often formed the basis for prestigious prizes, including the Nobel Prize in Physics, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The American Association for the Advancement of Science bestows the AAAS Award for Science Diplomacy and the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize, which is often awarded for an outstanding paper. The journal's editors, such as former editor-in-chief Bruce Alberts, have received honors like the National Medal of Science.

Related publications

The American Association for the Advancement of Science publishes a family of related journals under the Science umbrella. These include the open-access Science Advances, the translational research journal Science Translational Medicine, the focused review journal Science Signaling, and the career-oriented Science Careers. Other affiliated publications are Science Immunology and Science Robotics. The association also publishes the general science magazine Science News, which is editorially independent. Together, these publications cater to specialized communities within the broader scientific ecosystem, complementing the flagship journal's mission.

Category:Academic journals published in the United States Category:Multidisciplinary scientific journals Category:Publications established in 1880 Category:English-language journals Category:American Association for the Advancement of Science