On 19 July, the Cassini probe will take our portrait from Saturn. Let's make it a good oneEarth, are you ready to have your picture taken? On 19 July, the Nasa space probe Cassini will take a photograph of Earth from its vantage point "a billion miles away", in the words of Carolyn Porco, who…
The correct use of formal scientific names of organisms is key to accurate communication, but despite the simplicity of the system, it is rarely done rightScientists are somewhat notorious for being pernickety and nit-picking about details and always want to be as exact and specific as possible, or when they can't be, to couch their…
Caspar van Vark unpicks the complex link between irrigation systems and mosquitoes in AfricaRaising agricultural productivity is a priority in much of sub-Saharan Africa, where some 70% of people live in rural areas and rely on farming. But 90% of the estimated 660,000 global deaths caused by malaria in 2010 were also in Africa, and…
PETA recently released a video game where you commit violence against research scientists. Arguably the best response would be to create video games that promote and educate about scienceApparently PETA have created a video game where you commit serious violence against research scientists. That's nice. Given how PETA have strongly objected to the vaguest hint…
From time to time, it's important to pause the bureaucratic debate about open access and recognise how stupid scientific publishing isLike many academics, I am currently trying to work out what I should think and do about open access. I share with many scientists strong personal commitments to the idea of openness. I am in…
The green credentials of biofuel crops have been sullied in recent years. Rienk van Grondelle believes the answer to the world's clean energy needs will be super-efficient algaeDriving through the countryside in the south of France, you would probably be charmed by the vineyards and delighted at the thought of drinking fine French wine. But…
Citizens Climate Lobby aims to organize the public to create pressure behind a carbon fee and dividend systemAlthough a majority of Americans support taking action to address the threat of climate change, thanks mainly to opposition from conservative elected officials, US Congress has failed to implement climate legislation. Canada faces a similar situation where elected…
Research by biotech companies is unlikely to be derailed by the patent ruling against Myriad Genetics last weekIn a decision that has confused the biotech industry, the US Supreme Court decided last week that naturally occurring human gene sequences are no longer patentable.In doing so, the court has put patent law in the US out…
Falling ill is a very common occurrence. Luckily for most it is a short-term, self-limited thing. But exactly what you're meant to do about it or how you're meant to behave are more complicated concerns in modern timesI've been ill lately. I used to rarely get ill, probably because of my job embalming cadavers for…
A witty and engaging children's book that tells the true story of an internationally famous cockatoo who changed the way scientists think about dancing."If life doesn't give you fruit, you can always eat nuts. And if you don't like nuts, at least you can throw them on the floor, which is highly entertaining." ~Snowball the…
