During the 2008 US election campaign, governor Sarah Palin famously said that public funding was being wasted on projects like “fruit fly research”. This comment sparked anger in the scientific community, and the vice-presidential candidate was mocked for her ignorance. But was Palin’s unfortunate comment really stupid? Why should scientists study fruit flies? …
What drives success in academia? Only very few people become presidents, create a million-dollar business empire, or win a Nobel Prize. So what makes these people special? Countless social studies show that a child’s economical background and social environment are critical for shaping their future life. To learn what specific aspects increase the chances of a child's success in adulthood, I analysed the life of a scientist who was awarded not just one, but two Nobel prizes: Marie Curie.…