16
edits
ViralMuse Task Force: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Overview
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
Data sharing and integration across different disciplines are becoming the rule in a world ever more connected. Online databases are growing in popularity and constantly being updated, serving as an important tool for researchers worldwide. The fact that a scientist based in Asia can download and access specimen data collected in Europe, which are stored in an online database housed in North America, proves the point of how interconnected science is. Moreover, papers listing authorship of over 10 researchers or a consortium group constitute an increasing portion of scientific literature today. | Data sharing and integration across different disciplines are becoming the rule in a world ever more connected. Online databases are growing in popularity and constantly being updated, serving as an important tool for researchers worldwide. The fact that a scientist based in Asia can download and access specimen data collected in Europe, which are stored in an online database housed in North America, proves the point of how interconnected science is. Moreover, papers listing authorship of over 10 researchers or a consortium group constitute an increasing portion of scientific literature today. | ||
Nonetheless, this interconnectedness is hard to achieve across disciplines not typically integrated and is even harder to accomplish when there is no effort in establishing a permanent and effective connection. Natural history and public health have rarely been seen as allied, yet there are many opportunities to build up integrated knowledge. The case for mutual benefit between both disciplines was made over 100 years ago, when a Department of Public Health was created in the American Museum of Natural History (Brown, 2014). Despite its success, this department was shortly dissolved due to lack of funding and resistance within and outside the museum. | Nonetheless, this interconnectedness is hard to achieve across disciplines not typically integrated and is even harder to accomplish when there is no effort in establishing a permanent and effective connection. Natural history and public health have rarely been seen as allied, yet there are many opportunities to build up integrated knowledge. The case for mutual benefit between both disciplines was made over 100 years ago, when a Department of Public Health was created in the American Museum of Natural History [[(Brown, 2014)]]. Despite its success, this department was shortly dissolved due to lack of funding and resistance within and outside the museum. | ||
It is not surprising to witness new ideas being met with resistance, yet, in times of distress we are reminded of how lost opportunities could have made a big difference in advancing our knowledge. Imagine how integrated the study of pathogens and the use of natural history collections could be if the Department of Public Health at the AMNH was celebrating its 111th birthday! | It is not surprising to witness new ideas being met with resistance, yet, in times of distress we are reminded of how lost opportunities could have made a big difference in advancing our knowledge. Imagine how integrated the study of pathogens and the use of natural history collections could be if the Department of Public Health at the AMNH was celebrating its 111th birthday! | ||