Here Be Treasures » science

Coffee Bean to Carbon Atom

Martin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:12:35 +0000

A brilliant zoom scale from the University of Utah showing just how small the human cell and its enemies are…

Bad Science

Martin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:11:16 +0000

Although science is at the heart of our western lifestyle, a lot of people are still very very fuzzy on the scientific method, and how to verify scientific claims for themselves. While evolution is hotly contested by people who also happen to believe a big old invisible man is pulling the strings that make the universe work, there is also a lot of day to day gruff that gets passed off with comments such as ’scientifically proven…’. Dr Ben Goldacre has set himself up as the Omnibudsman of Bad Science and on his website he takes pseudo-scientists to task for their pseudo-advice.

The Lure of the Rule

Martin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:02:59 +0000

The standard for a kilogram is a small platinum and iridium cylinder that lives under guard in a specially controlled environment in a basement in Paris. Dava Sobel writes in Discover Magazine about this particular kilogram, and witnesses how an Irish kilogram standard is measured for accuracy over a four day period. Interesting reading, though the lure of the sub-header (the mystery of why it is getting lighter) is never really investigated.