Science Blogs

Human eyes are capable of seeing only a small segment of the spectrum of electromagnetic waves that exist in the universe. Astronomy Professor David Helfand at Columbia University created a website and movie to explain how our eyes are tuned to see only a single 'octave' of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum. Taking advantage of humans' ability to hear several octaves of sound at once, Helfand uses Beethoven's Ninth Symphony to illustrate this concept. Helfand writes, "The history of the last fifty years in Astronomy has been one of expanding our vision, of opening new windows on the Universe by observing in the many octaves of the electromagnetic spectrum to which our eyes are blind. Entirely new constitutents of the Universe have been revealed, and our models for its origin and fate have been radically revised. At last, we are close to seeing the whole symphony." (via IR)

While working on my thesis, my research became more and more focused on a single species (Japanese knotweed), and I was no longer keeping up with developments regarding other invasives. I started the ISW in April of 2002, with two goals in mind: 1) Find a way to keep up with current events and 2) Find a way to keep up with current internet trends. With a public record of my efforts, I have found that I am less likely to "slack off" and stop keeping an eye out for important invasive species issues. As of January 2004, the ISW has over 600 entries, covering a full range of topics, from legal issues, to early detection warnings, to the use of invasive species in marketable products. Please enjoy your visit, take a moment to catch up on current events, and use the search tool to find older posts about topics you are interested in.

The ClimateArk is a Climate Change Portal and Search Engine dedicated to promoting public policy that addresses global climate change through reductions in carbon dioxide and other emissions, renewable energy, energy conservation and ending deforestation.

A blog about climate change by Coby Beck.

Im Clifford V. Johnson, a professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, at the University of Southern California. My home page is at this link. I also blog at Cosmic Variance.

Environment in a broad sense, transports and energy issues. From my local point of view with a global touch! I am a biologist and work as director in the Environment and Health Agency in the city of Karlstad, Sweden. My mother tongue is Swedish but I write in English as environment issues crosses all borders.

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) of Columbia University is home to some of the best minds in climate change research. So it came as little surprise when I was channel surfing late last year and caught Heidi Cullen, a former fellow Ph.D. student at LDEO, on The Weather Channel as the network's resident climate scientist. It actually took me a second or two recognize her with her made-for-TV makeover, but she hasn't strayed far from her roots as an academic climatologist presenting the scientific perspective on important climate change issues, including the science behind global warming and El Nino. The Grist presented a story on Heidi last year, which covered her reporting soon after Hurricane Katrina. Now, Heidi will have her own show this fall as host of "The Climate Code with Dr. Heidi Cullen" on TWC. The Boston Globe recently published an article about Heidi's new show and her efforts to discuss science with professional organizations around the country, such as the National Association of Black Journalists. The Climate Code, which begins October 1, 2006, will be a weekly series presenting the science behind global warming and other environmental issues and will feature interviews with scientists, policy makers and opinion leaders.

The journal Nature is offering free web access to an online compilation of articles on the current suite of new energy technologies in development around the globe. The challenge facing us is that not only is the volume of new oil discoveries decreasing, but we have yet to find a single economically competitive alternative energy source that will not release carbon dioxide or other pollutants into the atmosphere. The Nature articles go back as far as 2004 and cover carbon sequestration, solar, wave, and wind energy, nuclear power, biofuels, hydrogen, fuel cells, and energy policy. It's a good place to start if you're looking to separate science from the hype behind many of these emerging technologies.

Raven Hanna, a Yale-educated scientist turned artist in San Francisco, California, creates her own science-inspired jewelry and other gifts for her company Made With Molecules. Her designs feature familiar molecules in sterling silver, printed textiles, such as her Testosterone Boxer Shorts (currently sold out), and holiday cards. While a "mood charm bracelet" may bring visions of New Age hocus-pocus, Hanna's NeuroCharm Bracelet is firmly based in chemistry and includes charms in the shape of neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, GABA, glutamate, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and serotonin. If you're feeling particularly low on dopamine, you can even buy extra charms. Other items for sale include the Dopamine Heart Card and Glucose baby shirts for "your little sweetie."

I am interested in how theoretical ideas are born in mind.

I'm an almost-30 year old postdoc in the biomedical sciences. I'm a member of several professional societies. Nothing is sacred.

ladyscientist documents meetings at the University of Toronto started by members of the biochemistry department where we discuss issues related to women in science. Everyone is free to add their comments to the entries, and can e-mail us here. Meetings take place irregularly on the last Friday of the month (12pm - 1pm).

Ruminations on computational geometry, algorithms, theoretical computer science and life.

Students at New York University's Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting Program (SHERP) have created a new webzine called Scienceline. Started by NYU grad student Karen Schrock in July 2006, Scienceline covers topics in biology, environmental science, health, physics, technology, and science policy. The webzine contains original reporting as well as a blog and a weekly science Q&A. Many of the articles are focused on people and events in the NYC area, such as The Blue Revolution, by Edyta Zielinska, which covers Brooklyn College Lecturer Martin Schreiber's efforts to develop sustainable urban aquaculture, or fish-farming, in New York City. These students are the science writers of tomorrow. Catch them now and you can say you knew them when.

Chemistry Teacher forum. A place to discuss recent trends in teaching high school chemistry. Problems encounted in class. And other related teacher topics.

Snails, slugs, natural history, evolution and everything else.

Chemistry is not a world unto itself. It is woven firmly into the fabric of the rest of the world, and various fields, from literature to archeology, thread their way through the chemist's text.

Here are some thoughts from a postdoc working at the interface of synthetic chemistry and biology. His thoughts might include: chemistry, science, work, employment hunting, life in general, politics and very random musings.

Molecule of the Day is written by a chemist who enjoys rambling about the relationship between chemistry and real life to non-chemists.