This weekend I read about two technological advances that offer innovative and practical ways to be green – but that present enormous challenges when it comes to convincing the public.
Any scientists making a TV appearance in the coming weeks should take five minutes to read the latest Australian econnect newsletter, How scientists are portrayed in the popular media. It would appear the stereotypical image of scientists is still alive and well in Australia and this is in large part because of the media’s portrayal. Twenty years ago, Australians used adjectives such as nerdy, bearded, old, male, unattractive, weird, single and suburban to describe scientists, and not much has changed since then, says Jenni Metcalfe.
A huge earthquake hit the town of L’Aquila in Italy on 6th April 2009, killing 309 people. Seismic activity had been noticed in the area in the preceding months but scientists failed to predict the enormous and deadly quake. Because of this, 6 seismologists and one government official now face trial for manslaughter and up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
How much skill is there in a game of poker? And why does it matter?
By law Americans are not allowed to gamble over the web. If poker can be shown to be a game of skill then this could have significant implications for the $6 billion US online gambling industry.
And a new study published this month has shown that there is a fair amount of skill involved.
The latest UK study into public attitudes to science was published earlier this month. PAS 2011 – the fourth in a series – represents the Government’s main mechanism for assessing progress on public engagement with science.
If you are interested in learning lessons from history, this website is worth a look. History and Policy is an international network of historians with the aim of “bringing (high-quality) history into the policy making arena”.
The media coverage of the Royal Wedding in the UK last week was immense, and although most pages were devoted to society and fashion, with a hint of diplomacy, there was still some science-related coverage if you looked hard enough.
Happy Easter! Following the VA tradition of holiday-related science stories, here are two for Easter…
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have been using some of their high-tech apparatus to test out the physical and chemical properties of Cadbury’s Creme Eggs*.
Professors worried about the impact their social “tweets” have on their image and student relationships need worry no longer. A new study has revealed that professors who make social tweets are perceived as more credible than those who stick to purely academic comments.
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