[RightWhale]

I also thought this was old news, perhaps even an historical thread. It seems some lab researchers are overeager to get their results out to the public and may be too narrowly focused as a result.

[Myrddin]

Most likely under pressure to "publish or perish". Some academic institutions insist on regular publication to keep them in the limelight. I had a very fine biochemistry professor at UCSD who eventually lost his job for inadequate frequency of publication.