Monthly Archives: December 2013

The Schekman Manoeuvre

Posted on 12 December 2013 by Stephen

This is the original version (with the original title) of an article that has been published at The Conversation.  Having climbed all the way to the Nobel prize on a ladder made of Nature, Science and Cell papers, biologist Randy Schekman has … Continue reading →

Posted in Cell, Impact Factors, nature, nobel prize, Open Access, Randy Schekman, science, Scientific Life | Comments Off on The Schekman Manoeuvre

A study of Ginger using live-image analysis

Posted on 12 December 2013 by Steve Caplan

I have recently added a new title to my signature: that of director of our institute’s microscopy facility. One of my goals is to upgrade our capabilities and acquire a microscope capable of super-resolution; that is the ability to differentiate … Continue reading →

Posted in dogs, experiment, Ginger, gotcha, humor, live imaging analysis, microscopy, Research, science, vizsla | Comments Off on A study of Ginger using live-image analysis

The Desolation of Smaug

Posted on 11 December 2013 by Henry Gee

To celebrate the imminent release at your local enormoplex of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, I’m giving away The Science of Middle Earth for that whole weekend, 12-15 December. My agent tells me that it’ll be available as a … Continue reading →

Posted in free kindle download, the desolation of smaug, the red shoes, the scince of middle earth, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on The Desolation of Smaug

In which I narrowly avoid oblivion

Posted on 11 December 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

Even at moments of the most extreme duress, it is difficult for me to stop thinking like a scientist. A few days after the birth of my son some twelve weeks ago, things were just starting to normalize for Richard … Continue reading →

Posted in Scientific thinking, staring into the abyss | Comments Off on In which I narrowly avoid oblivion

Why Elsevier is completely in the right… and totally wrong

Posted on 9 December 2013 by Stephen

The internet was all aflutter last week because Elsevier has sent thousands of take-down notices to Academia.edu, a social networking site where many researchers post and share their published papers. This marks a significant change of tack for Elsevier. Previously … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic publishing, Berlin OA meeting, elsevier, Open Access | Comments Off on Why Elsevier is completely in the right… and totally wrong

Things to know about policy, science and the public

Posted on 7 December 2013 by Stephen

There has been a flurry of articles of late listing important things that scientists, politicians and the public should know about each other. I am logging them here because I enjoyed each of the pieces and think it likely that … Continue reading →

Posted in Guardian, lists, nature, Politics, Science & Politics, Science policy | Comments Off on Things to know about policy, science and the public

On the River

Posted on 7 December 2013 by rpg

Back in July I went, for one reason or another, on a meandering bike ride. I ended up here: My bike. And the Thames Barrier The Thames Barrier is apparently the world’s second largest movable flood barrier (I believe the … Continue reading →

Posted in Don't try this at home, flood, grateful, stormageddon, Thames barrier | Comments Off on On the River

On being Feisty and Unconventional

Posted on 7 December 2013 by Athene Donald

Women in science seem to fare less well than men based on practically any measure. The reasons for this are many and various; they are also much discussed yet progress remains slow. To take as a specific example, why are … Continue reading →

Posted in Alison Woodward, Claarte Vinkenburg, Curt Rice, Equality, ERC, Leadership Foundation, Teresa Rees, Women in science | Comments Off on On being Feisty and Unconventional

A week of betrayal

Posted on 7 December 2013 by Steve Caplan

Winter has finally arrived here in Nebraska; from mid-50 degree F weather just a few days ago, we hit a chilly low of 1 degree F early this morning. Even some of the local youth actually abandoned their gym shorts … Continue reading →

Posted in author, betrayal, Books, education, lab lit, Nebraska, novels, omaha, publishing, Research, science, Writing | Comments Off on A week of betrayal

The Morning After

Posted on 6 December 2013 by Henry Gee

Last night I reported that Cromer was being battered by the combination of a very high tide and onshore winds. This lunchtime the Canes Croxorum and I went down there to see for ourselves. From a distance, Cromer seems untouched, … Continue reading →

Posted in beach, Cromer, Cromer East Beach, Domesticrox, storms, The End Of The Pier Show | Comments Off on The Morning After