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The story:
Astronomers discovered a huge star in a nearby galaxy last week. R136a1, part of the Large Magellanic Cloud, is estimated to have a mass 265 times more than the sun and to shine around a million times more brightly. More
Big news on (very) small things
Crystal structure of MOF-200 (Credit: UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Many of the current science GCSE specifications require students to study nanotechnology so here are three exciting new applications to make this new area of science topical and interesting. More
Would you make a good goalie?
The World Cup is finally over and to celebrate – one last football-related teaching idea: What does it take to be a great goalie?
Nerves of steel, lightning-fast reactions times and perfect hand-eye coordination are top of my list. So the World’s top goalkeepers must have a great nervous system. More
Big beaks help cool birds down
Image: Jon Hanson
The story:
Two scientists have collaborated in a study that suggests that the size of a bird’s beak is linked to the temperature of its natural environment.
We already know that a bird’s beak is adapted for the food it eats and sometimes to attract a mate, but now it looks like it is also a good way of regulating temperature. More
Can our genes tell us our death date?
Another genetics story hit the headline this week.
A few weeks ago I reported that scientists were sequencing Ozzy Osborne’s genome to find out how the hell-raiser has managed to survive so long, now we hear that scientists have discovered a way of carrying out a genetic test to find out if you will make it past 100. More
Fast and furious geology
The Afar region
I visited the Festival of Science and Arts at London’s Southbank last Friday. Part of the event is the Royal Society’s annual summer science exhibition, which gives visitors the opportunity to meet some of the scientists who are leading the country in cutting-edge research. It is well worth a visit, and you have until this Sunday to take a look yourself. More
Is a lack of pressure to blame for World Cup exits?
Image: Shine 2010-2010 world cup good news
For those of you who are football fans, many of the results from the group stages of the World Cup such as past winners Italy and France exiting from the competition at this early stage will have come as a surprise. Other countries (including England) have not lived up to the promise of the qualifying matches. For those of you who couldn’t care less – maybe you could be persuaded to ponder if the reason is scientific. More
Vampire biology
credit:Pasukaru76
Get ready for vampire mania as the new movie in the Twilight Saga – Eclipse, is premiering tonight in the USA. It hits screens in the UK on July 9th so now is a perfect time to teach a little vampire biology.
The PowerPoint I have designed for this occasion contains two starters – one for KS3 and one for KS4/5. More
Festival science
Credit: Logan1138
With Glastonbury commencing on Wednesday, the festival season is well and truly underway. In this post I will attempt to use the famous music festival as a way of connecting exothermic reactions to Ozzy Osbourne (not literally).
Music festivals generally involve camping and camping involves heating food over naked flames next to a highly flammable nylon tent. More
Exciting new biotechnology
In order to keep science interesting and relevant to students it always good to show them the latest breakthroughs in science and in this post I’ve got a couple of examples related to cells, tissues and organs that would be suitable for KS4 and KS5 biology students. More