While mainstream media and the publishing industry are grappling with the challenges of the digital age, the hugely profitable business of scientific publishing seems to be going from strength to strength. With more than more than 28,000 science journals published today, the industry brings in total global revenues of more than $30 billion. That puts the industry between the music and film industries in total size, but what is the real cost to science? Stephen Buranyi has written about the business of science publishing for The Guardian, amid questions over the current commercial model.

When the world wide web spread its tendrils into our homes a few decades ago, observers and sociologists noticed people becoming disinhibited in these virtual spaces: you could say and do what you wanted, stuff you would probably never dream of doing in 'real life'. Fast forward to today, and technology critic Tijmen Schep reckons we're seeing another online behavioural phonomenon he calls 'social cooling'. This happens when we tend to sanitise and self-censor our views, and avoid saying the wrong thing or offending anyone in case this jeopardises our online reputation and those all-important ratings!

Surgeries designed to promote weight loss by restricting the stomach's capacity, like the gastric bypass or gastric banding, have become a common treatment to help chronically obese patients lose weight fast. They seem to work really well, but as with any surgery there are some risks and they cost around $20,000 apiece. With an increasing number of these surgeries funded under the public health system (the Ministry of Health has spent more than $30 million on bariatric surgery on around 2000 patients over the past 5 years) could there be a cheaper option? Shantanu Gaur is the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Allurion Technologies, makers of a temporary balloon that you can swallow and then fill with water before excreting it some 16 weeks later.

Finding new antibiotics, seaweed diet, how 3D printing can transform surfing, anti virus software, and the best way to wash your hands.

Surfing is a massive global business estimated to be worth close to NZ$10 billion annually. Serious surfers are prepared to spend up large on boards, wetsuits, and living the surfing lifestyle. Professor Marc in het Panhuis of the University of Wollongong in Australia is a materials scientist, and he's also a keen surfer. He thinks 3D printing could be a transformative technology for surfing, and foresees a world where local surf shops have 3D printers that can quickly and cheaply customise your board and how it's set up while you wait.

We know that computers can defeat virtual viruses with antivirus software, but could they also be used to kill the viruses that affect our bodies? Some scientists are doing just that, says biochemist Ian Haydon.

Don't bother turning on the hot tap next time you wash your hands. According to new research, warm water doesn't do the job any better. Professor Donald Schaffner of Rutgers University tells us why.

Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health worldwide, and microbiologist Adam Roberts is one of the scientists getting creative on the hunt for the next penicillin. He's put a call out for people to send him swabs from the grubby surfaces we encounter every day.

Eating seaweed can help people suffering from metabolic disorders, pre-diabetes and skin diseases, says Australian seaweed scientist and entrepreneur Pia Winberg.

Pet poo problems, Selfie Nation, are microbes making rain? Also controlling cells using 'biopaints'.