This perspective by Chelsea Wald, just published in Science, profiles scientists who are "open with their research." Many of the featured scientists do not feel that "going open" would deprive them or put them at risk but instead believe that it's been beneficial in several ways: in getting to understand colleagues better, taking a greater account of what research has been useful, and, most importantly, in fostering collaboration.

SOURCE

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2010_04_09/caredit.a1000036