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“Science is a way of life”

By on June 1, 2008 in Science

Brian Green has an opinion piece in the New York Times outlining why science is important. It’s well worth reading. The following quote is a good summary:

Science is a way of life. Science is a perspective. Science is the process that takes us from confusion to understanding in a manner that’s precise, predictive and reliable — a transformation, for those lucky enough to experience it, that is empowering and emotional. To be able to think through and grasp explanations — for everything from why the sky is blue to how life formed on earth — not because they are declared dogma but rather because they reveal patterns confirmed by experiment and observation, is one of the most precious of human experiences.

Phoenix safely on Mars

By on May 26, 2008 in Science

Happy days! The Phoenix lander successfully set down on Mars in the early morning (UK time). The first pictures have been sent back. Hopefully there will be some really good science done over the next year or so as it probes its surroundings. The following sites have more info:

Nasa Phoenix Lander Site

BBC News

The Bad Astronomy Blog

Plus, John Welch has some pertinent observations on the fact that it was science that made it possible for humanity to send this probe to the Mars.

FirstPhoenixPicture.jpg Click picture for larger view of picture taken by Phoenix lander (© Nasa)

Blogging is good for you

By on May 25, 2008 in Science

As reported by Scientific American. Writing about your experiences can have beneficial effects. From the article:

Self-medication may be the reason the blogosphere has taken off. Scientists (and writers) have long known about the therapeutic benefits of writing about personal experiences, thoughts and feelings. But besides serving as a stress-coping mechanism, expressive writing produces many physiological benefits. Research shows that it improves memory and sleep, boosts immune cell activity and reduces viral load in AIDS patients, and even speeds healing after surgery. A study in the February issue of the Oncologist reports that cancer patients who engaged in expressive writing just before treatment felt markedly better, mentally and physically, as compared with patients who did not.

I think my scribbling here certainly helped me.

Good news

By on May 19, 2008 in General, Science

MP’s in the UK House of Commons have rejected moves to block scientific advancement by throwing out amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill that would have banned hybrid embryos and tissues typing to select IVF embryos to make it suitable for use as a tissue donor.

The voice of reason has triumphed. A good day for the UK. There are more votes to come tomorrow but they are not as important as today’s votes. Only about 2% of abortions occur after 20 weeks so if the time limit is reduced it’ll not matter (beyond emboldening the anti-crowd). I think that abortion on demand up to 20 weeks should be available. After that it should be available if there is a risk to the mother (either physical or mental) or if the foetus is found to have defects that would lead to severe complications after birth.

The other contentious amendment to the bill about not having to consider the father in deciding who should have IVF treatment hasn’t really registered on my radar. I’m nit really fussed about it one way or the other although if pressed I would support the right of single women and lesbian couples to get IVF on the NHS if they are in a position to provide a good secure home for children.

Russell Blackford on “framing”

By on April 10, 2008 in Science

The has been a bit of a kerfuffle in the science blog and science communication communities recently about how to deal with creationists, and their apologists. Basically there is a camp that thinks that those of us who are outspoken in our anti-religion rhetoric, should shut up and let those with a gentler message more amenable to those who are religious, frame the arguments in a way that doesn’t offend or frighten off the moderate religious types.

I’m in the camp that says that we need to have people of all views, expressing said views in any way they feel like. If this offends some people then that might be unfortunate but its not a reason to silence those with strong views. I advocated this position when I was a member of the DebunkCreation mailing list.

Russell Blackford has written a very interesting blog post on this topic. It’s well worth a read.

Eclipse lyric

By on June 13, 2003 in Science

I wrote this little ditty in 1999 when there was a total eclipse that tracked over Europe. The recent interest in the annular eclipse in Scotland reminded me that it was lurking on my PowerBook hard drive. The appearance of Brian May on The Sky at Night show in the UK and Brian’s thoughts about the eclipse on his web site prompted me to send it to his Soapbox email address. I got a reply from Brian and the lyric is also posted on the letters section of the Brian May web site (page it was on no longer available).

Anyway as it is now out in the wild I may as well post it here. Nothing serious. Just a bit of fun.

Eclipse

Dead of night will fall again
In the heat of day
First contact thrills us as
The sun sets in the day
Dead of night will fall again
In the heat of day
Twilight comes and light fades
In a spooky way
Dead of night will fall again
In the heat of day
It gets colder and the wind blows
In a peculiar way
Dead of night will fall again
In the heat of day
The atmosphere dances madly as the
Shadow bands play
Dead of night will fall again
In the heat of day
Totality is upon us now as
Beautiful as they say
Dead of night will fall again
In the heat of day
The corona shimmers brightly as
Prominences dance and play
Dead of night will fall again
In the heat of day
Blazing forth the diamond ring as the
Moon goes on its way
Dead of night will fall away
With the return of day
The eclipse it is behind us
Time we were on our way