Buzz
Making the science of flatulence appealing is no simple task, but two scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm turned to Bob Dylan for inspiration, crafting a clever pun. Jon Lundberg and Eddie Weitzburg’s paper, “Nitric Oxide and Inflammation: The Answer Is Blowing in the Wind,” was published 17 years ago, sparking a lighthearted competition—the researcher who integrates the most Dylan lyrics into their work before retiring earns a free meal.
“We were both big fans of Bob Dylan, so when we started drafting an article on measuring nitric oxide gas in the respiratory and intestinal tracts, the title just clicked,” Weitzburg explains on the Karolinska Institute (KI) website. Lundberg and Weitzburg are both professors in KI’s physiology and pharmacology department.
Interestingly, two other KI researchers, Jonas Frisén and Konstantinos Meletis, independently published a Dylan-themed paper titled “Blood on the Tracks: A Simple Twist of Fate” (inspired by Dylan’s 1975 album Blood on the Tracks). Frisén and Meletis were unaware of Lundberg and Weitzburg’s Dylan-inspired efforts when they titled their work and included Dylan references. Upon discovering this, Lundberg and Weitzburg proposed a friendly rivalry, which Frisén and Meletis accepted. Around the same time, Lundberg and Weitzburg released an editorial titled “The Times They Are a-Changing,” while Frisén published another paper, “Eph Receptors Tangled up in Two,” a nod to Dylan’s “Tangled up in Blue.”
Lundberg and Weitzburg advanced their playful endeavor with the article, “Dietary Nitrate—A Slow Train Coming.” Within it, they cleverly adapted Dylan’s lyrics, writing, “We know something is happening but we don’t know what it is—Do we, Dr. Jones?” This references the song “Ballad of a Thin Man,” which revolves around the peculiar experiences of Mr. Jones. Coincidentally, they have a British colleague named Dr. Jones, adding a layer of serendipity to their work.
At the same time, Kenneth Chien, a professor in KI’s cell and molecular biology department, was expressing his admiration for Dylan through his own research, entirely unaware of the ongoing competition. His contribution? A paper titled “Tangled up in Blue: Molecular Cardiology in the Postmolecular Era.” Upon discovering Chien’s work, the group welcomed him into their friendly rivalry.
The researchers emphasize that Dylan references are reserved for review articles and editorials, as peer-reviewed journal articles adhere to stricter standards. While the competition is open to all participants, certain guidelines must be followed.
“It’s crucial that the quote aligns with the scientific content, enhancing the message and elevating the article’s quality, not detracting from it,” explains Jonas Frisén.
What draws these scientists to Dylan? Konstantinos Meletis, a neuroscience research assistant, offers insight: “A musician who stays on the same path for 30 years isn’t one many would follow. Great music, like Bob Dylan’s, thrives on innovation. The same principle applies to research. A scientist must also seek out new and uncharted directions.”
