Marathon under 2 hours is closer than ever – scientist shows how Kenya’s Kiptum tests human limits: War in the Middle East plunged humanity to new lows on Sunday 8 October 2023 that have gripped international attention since. If that were not the case, the world would likely be abuzz with the breathtaking exploits of …
Oppenheimer the actor: the curious 1946 film Atomic Power featuring the scientist as himself: Robert Oppenheimer (third from left front), Leslie Groves (middle), and other scientists and officers after the Trinity nuclear test in 1945. US Army Signal Corps Atomic Power, a groundbreaking 18-minute black-and-white film about the Manhattan Project which created the world’s first …
The man in the monkey nut coat: how a 1940s scientist made ‘vegan wool’ from peanuts: Woollen clothing has been around for as long as humans have been wearing clothes and sheep have been domesticated. Indeed, our distant ancestors used sheep for three things: food, clothing and shelter – wool makes good insulation and helps …
Why thousands of volunteers are transcribing the notebooks of the scientist who inspired Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) is usually remembered as the inventor of a revolutionary miner’s safety lamp. But his wild popularity came as much from his influence on popular culture as it did from his contributions to chemistry and applied …
What I like and hate about Nigeria’s election campaigns – political scientist: Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images Election campaigns are an important aspect of the democratic process in Nigeria. They give voters a chance to learn what a candidate or party stands for. In Nigeria, according to the Electoral Act 2022, election campaigns start six …
Italy’s pasta row: a scientist on how to cook spaghetti properly and save money: shutterstock Nitr via Shutterstock Italians are notoriously – and understandably – protective of their cuisine, as regular arguments about the correct toppings for pizza or the appropriate pasta to use with a Bolognese ragu will attest. So it was hardly surprising …
Northern Ireland census shows more Catholics than Protestants — a political scientist on what this really means: Belfast City Hall, Northern Ireland. Ballygally View Images | Shutterstock The results of the 2021 Northern Ireland census have been released and they show that 42.3% of the population identify as Catholic and 37.3% as Protestant or other …
Plagues of wasps? A scientist explains why you shouldn’t panic about rumours of rising populations: Thomas Hochreutener/Shutterstock Late summer is all about BBQs, ice creams and parents counting down the days until schools open. Then along comes a wasp. There’s some screaming and flapping (mostly by the parents). Usually, no one gets stung and the …
James Webb Telescope: a scientist explains what its first, amazing images show – and how it will change astronomy: A star forming region in the Milky Way. NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI After decades of development and many trials and frustrations along the way, the James Webb Telescope has finally started to deliver what it …
How visionary scientist Bernie Fanaroff put African astronomy on the map: Without Dr Bernie Fanaroff, the SKA might never have come to South African shores Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images Recent decades have seen remarkable growth in astronomy on the African continent. Africa enjoys pristine dark skies and vast radio quiet zones, making it the ideal home …
Cold showers: a scientist explains if they are as good for you as Wim Hof (the ‘Iceman’) suggests: Cold showers can have some benefits, a scientist says. Shutterstock, CC BY-NC Anyone watching the BBC programme Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof may be starting to wonder whether there really “power in the cold shower” as …
These are the latest trending searches on Google right now: Scientist Ndoni Mcunu: : Daily Search Trends Have you tried: Diving with Sharks?
Could lead makeup really kill you? A scientist recreated centuries-old skin whitening recipes to find out – podcast: The Countess of Coventry, Maria Gunning, was rumoured to have died of lead poisoning from her makeup. Jean-Étienne Liotard via Wikimedia Can makeup really kill you? That’s the myth attached to Maria Gunning, the Countess of Coventry, …
The chemistry behind your LCD flat-screen devices: how a scientist changed the world: Andre_Popov/shutterstock In a laboratory at the University of Hull 50 years ago, a new chemical compound was created that would impact the world as much as any drug, fuel or material. The man responsible for this society-changing invention was George Gray – …
The chemistry of Christmas baubles – and the great scientist who made them possible: Apirak Wongpunsing Were it not for Baron Justus von Liebig, Christmas might look and taste quite different. Yet despite his contribution to everything from the stock cubes used in your gravy to the mirrors in your home, it is unlikely you have …
Top Kenyan scientist shares the joys and challenges of creating life-saving vaccines: Rift Valley Fever virus, 3D illustration. Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock Professor George Warimwe should be a household name in Kenya. He’s a leading scientist who has created a life-saving vaccine against Rift Valley Fever. He is also leading policy-changing work on Yellow Fever vaccines. Warimwe …
Omicron: Senior Nigerian scientist considers fallout, and why travel bans are a waste of time: Nigeria's President Buhari at the 2021 Intra-African Trade Fair in Durban, South Africa. Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images Nigeria is about to receive President Cyril Ramaphosa, who will be leading a delegation made up of government and business representatives, …
Top scientist: why South Africa shouldn’t be giving 12-17 year old COVID shots — now: People queuing to get vaccinated. Instead of vaccinating 12-17 year olds, government should focus on giving boosters to people who need it. Shutterstock South Africa is one of the leading countries in Africa in terms of COVID vaccine rollout, along …