2020 Science Archives
Here you’ll find all the currently existing posts on 2020 Science, in reverse date order. Feel free to browse through them, or if you’re looking for something specific, use the search box below.
Science influence on Twitter – August update
It's the middle of August, and time for my regular two-monthly update on science tweep influence on Twitter. Back in April I posted data on three indicators of "influence" for ~400 science-focused Twitter users - based on David Bradley’s list of...
TED talks future-tech
I've just posted a series of five attention-grabbing talks on future technologies from TED (the Technology, Entertainment, Design conferences) over at Mashable, where I contribute the occasional guest blog. If you are more interested in the...
New study seeks to link seven cases of occupational lung disease with nanoparticles and nanotechnology
A new study about to be published in the European Respiratory Journal links workplace nanoparticle exposure to seven cases of serious and progressive lung disease in China - leading to two patient deaths - and presses a number of "hot" buttons when...
Nanoparticle exposure and occupational lung disease – six expert perspectives on a new clinical study
The recent tragic account of seven Chinese workers suffering—apparently—from nanoparticle-induced lung disease, is likely to raise serious concerns with anyone potentially exposed to similar particles. Yet without the benefit of insight from...
Is nanotechnology poised for the ride of its life?
In the wake of a new study linking “nanotechnology” to two deaths and five additional cases of lung disease, the emerging technology of the ultra-small could be in for a rough ride. Yet the real risk is that in the rush to use or even abuse the...
Reflections of a “scientific illiterate”
Reviewing Unscientific America: How scientific illiteracy threatens our future, by Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum My name is Andrew, and I am scientifically illiterate. Just thought I’d get that off my chest! And before you protest too much, I...
Nanotechnologies – five years on
This piece was originally published by the Responsible Nano Forum as a foreword to reflections on the 5th anniversary of the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering report "Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties.”...
TED talks science – 5 classic science talks, plus a couple of bonuses
The internet is littered with videos of science lectures and science talks - witness the recently posted "100 Incredible Lectures from the World's Top Scientists" for instance. But it's not easy to sift through the tedious, the impenetrable and...
Anything I can do, you can do better!
Art makes a mockery of experts and empowers the marginalized. At least that's how I feel at the moment! Having broadcast the news of Tim Jones' fabulous Exquisite Corpse of Science project, I thought it only fitting that I do what I've been telling...
The biggest science-art project in history?
Okay, so there may be a dash of hyperbole there, but following up on the success of his Exquisite Corpse of Science project (see my previous post), Tim Jones is hatching an ambitious plan to create the world's largest interconnected montage of...
Experiments in science engagement – the exquisite corpse!
Tim Jones has just posted a video of a new science engagement technique he's working on over at his blog Zoonomian. I was so impressed with the result that I asked his permission to post it here also. Before explaining what this is, take a look at...
Nanotechnology: Weighing the risks of regulation
I’m often intrigued by the evolution of an article from its early drafts to the final version. To complement today’s commentary on nanotechnology regulation in the journal Nature, written jointly with David Rejeski, I thought it would be...
Engaging the public on nanotechnology
Following up on my last post - Geoengineering the planet with nanotechnology ice-cream? - here's a short video Zoe Papadopoulou and colleagues put together on The Cloud Project from my visit in June: [flashvideo file=/movies/20090707/ice_cream.flv...
Geoengineering the planet with nanotechnology ice-cream?
Scientists and engineers have their moments. But it they are hard pressed to beat art students when it comes to sheer audacious creativity. Earlier this year I received an email so intriguing I couldn't help but follow up on it. The email was from...
Industry critics give nanotechnology sunscreens the thumbs up
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) - a US-based non-profit organization committed to using public information to protect public health and the environment - has just released what is probably the most comprehensive evaluation to date of the...
Nanotechnology on Twit TV’s Dr. Kiki’s Science Hour
Just a quick post (at least, as far as the text goes). Last week, I had the pleasure of appearing on Twit TV's Dr. Kiki's Science Hour with Kristen Sanford and Leo Laporte. The conversation covered nanotechnology from every conceivable angle. I...
Can innovation tunneling help organizations survive disruptive change?
A couple of days ago, @michael_nielsen posted a thoughtful article on his blog tackling rapid and disruptive changes in the scientific publishing business - especially the challenge of overcoming organizational immune systems that actively obstruct...
Celebrity scientists – it takes more than stardust
It’s been a few weeks now since the men’s style magazine GQ launched the “Rock Stars of Science” campaign. I’m a staunch advocate of raising science’s profile, but the whole campaign has had me on edge, and I haven’t quite been able to put my...
Confluence: Where communication, coupling and control collide
Part 7 of a series on rethinking science and technology for the 21st century Yesterday, I listened to respected economists discussing geoengineering; gave a Skype interview on nanotechnology from the comfort of my own home; and watched as reactions...
Science influence on Twitter – June update
Back in April I posted data on three indicators of "influence" for ~400 science-focused Twitter users - based on David Bradley’s list of “Scientific Twitter Friends.” Intrigued to see how these Tweeps' influence evolves over time, I will be...
Would you use mental ability-enhancing drugs? Take the (anonymous) poll:
Poll closed 26 June - see the results below. I'll be writing on this in a week or so Would you - or do you - use drugs like Ritalin, donepezil or modafinil to improve your mental ability? I'm interested in getting a sense of current use and...
A cautious thumbs up for synthetic biology from the UK public
According to a new public opinion survey from the UK Royal Academy of Engineering, the great British public is cautiously enthusiastic about the emerging field of synthetic biology. Last summer, the Washington DC-based Synthetic Biology Project...
Nanotechnology: Ensuring success through safety
This month's issue of the magazine Science & Technology takes a closer look at some of the controversies, dilemmas and decisions that will impact on the future development of the science and technology of working at the nanoscale. Amongst the...
Geoengineering: Are we grown up enough to handle it?
If there's one thing that's guaranteed to unite global warming "denialists" on both sides of the aisle, it's geoengineering - the intentional planet-wide manipulation of the environment. At least, you might be left with that impression after...
Science minister’s question time
This afternoon, a riveting and possibly ground-breaking conversation evolved in real time on the social media platform Twitter. Yesterday, writer and broadcaster Colin Stuart (@skyponderer on Twitter) raised concerns about the new dual-role of UK...
To tweet or not to tweet – social media and the scientific meeting
Should live tweeting and blogging from scientific meetings be controlled? Back in May, Daniel MacArthur - a researcher and blogger - wrote a number of on-the-spot blogs on the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Biology of Genomes meeting. By all...
Nanoscale control: Leveraging biology
Part 6 of a series on rethinking science and technology for the 21st century The story so far: We are facing an unprecedented confluence of three factors that are forcing us to rethink how we develop and use science and technology to the benefit of...
Steve Chu’s White Revolution
It feels good to be ahead of the curve sometimes. About this time last year, I was slaving away painting my roof white - much to the bemusement of my Northern Virginia neighbors and friends. So I couldn't help feeling just a little smug this...
Nanotechnology: From nano-novice to nano-genius in 13 steps
Back in April, the folks at the PBS station THIRTEEN asked me to answer 13 questions on nanotechnology and the environment for their website feature Green Thirteen. The questions ended up covering most of nanotechnology - what it is, what it's...
Nanotechnology safety research funding on the up
The unthinkable has happened! The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is poised to get $5 million in crisp new dollars for researching possible workplace risks arising from nanotechnology. It may not sound like a big...