Guest Work • Jul 27, 2017 •
Ian Crawford, UCL The search for life elsewhere in the universe is one of the most compelling aspects of modern science. Given its scientific importance, significant resources are devoted to this young science of astrobiology, ranging from rovers on Mars to telescopic observations of planets orbiting other stars. The holy grail of all this activity would be … Read More
Guest Work • Jun 01, 2017 •
By Candice Majewski, University of Sheffield The rocket that blasted into space from New Zealand on May 25 was special. Not only was it the first to launch from a private site, it was also the first to be powered by an engine made almost entirely using 3D printing. This might not make it the “first … Read More
Guest Work • May 11, 2017 •
By Tara Djokic, UNSW Fossil evidence of early life has been found in old hot spring deposits in the Pilbara, Western Australia, that date back almost 3.48 billion years. This extends the known evidence of life at land-based hot springs on Earth by about 3 billion years. Not only is the find exciting for what it might … Read More
Steve Pointing • Apr 06, 2016 •
Today on my Dear Science show on 95.0 bFM radio we have a special feature on weird microbiology stories that are making the headlines this week. You can listen to the podcast here. Poo microbes reveal Hannibal’s route over the Alps Source: Wikimedia Let’s start with a history lesson: Hannibal was Commander in … Read More
Ryan Ridden • Mar 20, 2016 •
Are we alone? This is one of the most profound questions we can and have asked. The quest to find life outside of Earth captures our attention. It is a quest that challenges how we view ourselves in the universe. Could it be that Earth is special and life thrives only here? Could it be that we, as a species … Read More
Guest Work • Mar 16, 2016 •
Vladyslav Vyazovskiy, University of Oxford On cold, dark days it is tempting to imagine shutting yourself away until the warmer weather returns. Many animals do just that by entering a state known as torpor, which reduces their bodily functions to a minimum and uses fat stores in their body for energy. Could humans ever hibernate in the same … Read More
Guest Work • Mar 03, 2016 •
Kathryn Harriss, University of Kent Would you like to spend a year gazing down from the International Space Station? Before you pack your bag, you should think about what actually might happen to you in microgravity, away from the protection of the atmosphere and magnetosphere. Thanks to two astronauts who’ve recently landed back on Earth, we’ll now be … Read More
John Pickering • Feb 09, 2016 •
Q. What has Mars, Epidemics, Heart Disease, Infection, and Pacifika got in common? A. They are all central to research project at the University of Otago Christchurch (UOC). Here are some excerpts for the UOC summer newsletter (Written by UOC communications manager, Kim Thomas). Christchurch in NASA Mars project role University of Otago, Christchurch, researchers are playing a crucial role … Read More
Ken Perrott • Oct 21, 2014 •
Photo Credit: Curiosity on Mars - NASA Rover Opportunity Views Comet Near Mars. According to NASA: NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity captured images of a comet passing much closer to Mars than any previous known comet flyby of Earth or Mars. … Continue reading → … Read More
Ken Perrott • Sep 25, 2014 •
This is how the Indian Prime Minister responded to the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) yesterday: “History has been created by our scientists”, said PM Narendra Modi in his speech immediately after the scientists declared the mission a … Continue reading → … Read More