As a paleoanthropologist with both teaching and research interests spanning an array of human evolutionary topics, one of my biggest challenges is attempting to keep up with current literature. I used to get e-mail alerts when new issues of journals came out listing their contents, but given the volume of e-mail I receive, these e-mails were typically marked as read and promptly forgotten. For about two years now I have instead been slowly adding to my list of RSS subscriptions. These RSS subscriptions operate in much the same way as the old e-mail alerts, only they come pre-organized in a system separate from my e-mail, allowing me to quickly and conveniently mark off articles of interest that I can return to when I have the time.
Each RSS feed operates a little differently, though, some come online while others go offline, and others simply become overwhelming in the volume of articles they publish. This is my current list: (Titles link to RSS feed)
Science (current issue)
Nature (advanced online publication)
Nature Genetics (current issue)
Evolution
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Journal of Human Evolution
Current Anthropology
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (early edition)
Molecular Biology and Evolution
PLOS One (Evolutionary biology)
Evolutionary Anthropology
Journal of Archaeological Research
Journal of Archaeological Sciences
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology
Quaternary International
Comptes Rendus: Paleovol
American Journal of Human Genetics (new articles)
Journal of Biomechanics (current issue)
Obviously, I only read a fraction of what comes through the pipeline. But getting it delivered to my RSS reader is much easier than going out every month and searching through table of contents. Additionally, I use RSS sites of various blogs, scientific news sources, and other sites to keep track of the discussion around new research.
What am I missing?
UPDATE:
Here are a few additions thanks to comments and suggestions:
American Anthropologist
Trends in Ecology and Evolution (TREE)
Nature Reviews: Genetics
The Anatomical Record
Current Biology
Evolution & Development
Journal of Anatomy
Journal of Experimental Zoology, part A: Ecological genetics & physiology
Journal of Experimental Zoology, part B: Ecological genetics & physiology
Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research
Biological Theory: Integrating development, evolution & cognition
International Journal of Primatology
American Journal of Primatology
Animal Behaviour
South African Journal of Science
These additions may have expanded me past the breaking point…but I’ll prune as necessary.
Hey Adam, thanks for sharing your list. I added a few of yours to my own RSS feed. A couple you might want to check out: Annals of Anatomy (Anatomischer Anzeiger), Journal of Anatomy, Anatomical Record, and Trends in Ecology and Evolution. I am particularly fond of Anatomical Record and TREE.
TREE and the Anatomical Record…definitely ones I am missing
Oy, that’s an admirable list. And Zach 1 has some good additions, too. I’ve found it hard to keep up on more than a few. You 2 have hit on pretty much all I try to keep up with and then some. If I had to make any further suggestions, I’d add Current Biology, Nature Reviews Genetics, and if I’m feeling really sassy maybe Evolution and Development.
…And Journal of Experimental Zoology B