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When Britney Spears comes to my lab

07 July 2021 Editor's Note: This article of fiction remains as part of the publication record. However, we would like to stress that we understand the concerns that have been raised about it and would like to apologize for any offence caused.

07 July 2021 Author's Note: I want to respond to some of the recent reactions to this article by saying I am deeply sorry that it has caused offence. When I wrote this story in 2007, it was intended as a humorous piece in praise of Britney Spears – satirizing the style of articles about her at the time – but then refocusing that framework on her immense talents and the fact that the drive and creativity needed to succeed in research are similar to those needed to succeed in the music business. I realize now that parts of the story are inappropriate and I sincerely apologize for this.

Now that's what I call pop culture!

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  • 07 July 2021

    Editor's Note: This article of fiction remains as part of the publication record. However, we would like to stress that we understand the concerns that have been raised about it and would like to apologize for any offence caused.

  • 07 July 2021

    Author's Note: I want to respond to some of the recent reactions to this article by saying I am deeply sorry that it has caused offence. When I wrote this story in 2007, it was intended as a humorous piece in praise of Britney Spears – satirizing the style of articles about her at the time – but then refocusing that framework on her immense talents and the fact that the drive and creativity needed to succeed in research are similar to those needed to succeed in the music business. I realize now that parts of the story are inappropriate and I sincerely apologize for this.

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LiCata, V. When Britney Spears comes to my lab. Nature 451, 106 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/451106a

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