New Zealand Listener

3 min read

A letter to the Listener last July signed by seven professors from the University of Auckland raising questions about the relationship between mātauranga Māori and science in the school curriculum provoked a firestorm. The letter referred to a techni

History Scotland

1 min read

The project aims to establish exactly what, and to what extent, visitors’ images can be used for conservation monitoring. The team hope to monitor things such as discolouration and algae growth on stone, erosion of peat caps of walls and forts, erosi

Post South Africa

1 min read

THE teaching of the sciences at schools has again been of topical interest with the minister of education appealing to more schools to offer the subject. The leak of Physical Science Paper 2 also reminds us about the existence of such a subject. Most

Nautilus

1 min read

Robbert Dijkgraaf will sometimes let himself drift back to his childhood attic in the Netherlands. It was there that he did some of his first physics experiments, playing with discarded binocular optics that his father kept stacked in boxes. As he ha

Nautilus

5 min read

During my career as a scientist and a philosopher I have written and edited, thus far, 14 books. Of these, seven are for the general public. Of those, only one (my very first one, as it turns out) was for children. The same picture emerges if one loo

How It Works

1 min read

Former HIW member James is a biochemist and biotechnologist. He is currently doing a PhD in machine learning and evolutionary theory. Writer and editor Jo is particularly interested in the natural world and learning about the latest in technological

The Shed

1 min read

The Bright Sparks New Zealand has been running since 2000 and is now the country’s top competition for young inventors or, as Andrew calls them, “the sheddies of the future”. He has been mentoring these kids and their teachers for 18 years. “My invol

How It Works

1 min read

Former HIW member James is a biochemist and biotechnologist. He is currently doing a PhD in machine learning and evolutionary theory. Writer and editor Jo is particularly interested in the natural world and learning about the latest in technological

NPR

1 min read

After analyzing some 88,000 European soccer matches, scientists say games have become more predictable over time and hypothesize that salary caps could help revive the surprise.

AQ: Australian Quarterly

2 min read

One of the most complex – and polarising – social debates is that of euthanasia, an increasingly hot topic as the Baby Boomers approach and exceed their average life expectancy. Yet for younger generations, life expectancies are continuing to increas

NPR

3 min read

Dr. Tania Lombrozo reflects on her own experience of being referred to as Mrs., Miss or Ms., rather than her actual title, in light of a new paper studying the topic — with striking results, she says.

Post South Africa

1 min read

THREE pupils from Stanger Manor Secondary in KwaDukuza were placed in the top five matric pupils of the iLembe District. Preshivan Govender was first, Shanice Talia Augustine was third and Nevana Rampershadh was fourth. They each attained 7 distincti

The Christian Science Monitor

4 min read

A study released today suggests one hurdle to more science being shared in family rooms is the lack of expertise parents feel. Researchers say having all the answers doesn't matter, but the encouraging of curiosity does.

AQ: Australian Quarterly

2 min read

The majority of people don’t take an active interest in the mechanistic processes of our democracy. At large, we rely on journalists, content experts and policy wonks to pick through the impenetrable wall of reports and reviews that are churned out b

MoneyWeek

1 min read

worksinprogress.co The only people who care about plagiarism are “wussies and pussies”, according to Bob Dylan. That was his response to claims that he had stolen lyrics from other sources, says Stuart Ritchie. And his attitude makes sense given th

MiniMag

1 min read

Since 1996, Scifest Africa has been educating and enlightening its audiences, offering a crucial doorway into the world of Science, Technology, Innovation, Engineering and Mathematics for young people. Scifest Africa identifies and designs unique int

Manhattan Institute

1 min read

Heather Mac Donald joins Seth Barron to discuss the scientific and statistical basis behind the popular academic theory, “implicit bias.” The implicit association test (IAT), first introduced in 1998, uses a computer response-time test to measure an

American Craft

2 min read

“I GOT INTO IT BY CHANCE,” Rogan Brown says. It’s a funny way to describe how he started making his intricate paper sculptures of microbiological forms. But it’s true: The 52-year-old didn’t get his start by chasing a certain technique, but rather fr

Union of Concerned Scientists

2 min read

I’m a huge believer in the idea that to make a difference, you should start where you’re already at. For me, that’s a graduate student studying bioengineering in Arizona. Many of us start graduate school with grand plans that inevitably are cut to si

Womankind

4 min read

Before the 16th century, we human beings believed that the earth was the centre of the universe and that everything circled around it (us). This was not only a longstanding theory of astronomy but, dare I say, an implicit theory of psychology as well

Sunday Independent

1 min read

The Department of Basic Education says it will approach the courts to overturn certain aspects of Friday’s court ruling, but confirmed that no matric pupils will be expected to rewrite the leaked maths and physical science papers. | IOL ■

You South Africa

1 min read

■ They love technology, so anything in the science and technology sector would suit them well. ■ They do well working in groups, so they’d make a good club manager or events planner. ■ They love social media, so would make a brilliant influencer. ■ B

Cosmos Magazine

1 min read

Covering science at the moment brings mixed emotions. The daily influx of papers dealing with medical, mental, logistical and political issues around COVID-19 weighs heavy, but it also reminds us of the ability of researchers to unite to try to find

Science Illustrated

1 min read

‘Piltdown Man’ was able to mislead the world for so long because outsiders were not allowed access to the original bone discoveries. They were buried in a museum box in England. Today, museums display replicas of Piltdown Man to remind us why open ac

Writing Magazine

3 min read

I’m no good at grants. My first rejection came at university. I had applied for funding to top up a dwindling student loan. Several fellow students had been successful – even some who had attended private schools, owned laptops and spent holidays in

The Atlantic

3 min read

Facts Man is less about truth than raising questions. Why can’t Facts Man talk about certain issues in exactly the way he wants to?

Union of Concerned Scientists

2 min read

The outlook for the independence of scientists throughout government just got a lot sunnier. Just a few moments ago, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Scientific Integrity Act as part of the HEROES Act COVID-19 stimulus legislation.

Cosmos Magazine

1 min read

After last issue’s contribution, we’re delighted by a second reader-directed entry from Matthew Hunt, aka ‘Matt in Brissy’. (This time we know what it is!) This elegant little device was made in the 17th or early 18th century. It performs a job well

The European Business Review

1 min read

Ph.D. Nando Malmelin works at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland as a Professor of Practice focusing on strategic change. He is also an Adjunct Professor of media and communication studies at the University of Helsinki. Dr.Sc. (Tech.) Kalle K

Union of Concerned Scientists

1 min read

Learn how to navigate the application process for federal science jobs with a new toolkit for early- and mid-career scientists.