Fasting has long been an interest to the scientific community, chiefly because of its touted historic benefits to the human body. Fasting is a natural evolutionary survival adaption that allowed us to survive when food was scarce during the winter months, by slowing our bodies natural processes and using the food we did consume more […]
BEST OF TED: Your kids might live on Mars. Here’s how they’ll survive.
Stephen Petranek’s TED talk ‘Your kids might live on Mars. Here’s how they’ll survive’ details how humankind will one day become a spacefaring species. Petranek is a writer and technologist who focuses on how emerging technologies could benefit our future lives. Petranek’s talk can be found on ted.com under the ‘science’ section. Journalist Stephen Petranek […]
Nobel Prize winners for 2016
The Nobel Prize Committee has officially announced its recipients for the Nobel Prizes in Chemistry, Physics and Medicine or Physiology. The Nobel Prizes were established by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel in 1895, and are recognised as one of the highest accolades in science, literature and peace. This year, two of the prizes have been split […]
Best of TED: Gene editing and the eradication of malaria
Jennifer Kahn is a science journalist whose articles cover the gene-editing abilities of CRISPR technology. Her TED talk, ‘Gene editing can now change an entire species – forever’ can be found on TED.com under the ‘Science’ section. No one can deny the blight malaria has been on the world. UNICEF figures show over a […]
British astronaut Tim Peake arrives home
Tim Peake, British astronaut returned to Earth Saturday, following six months in space aboard the International Space Station. Peake, 44, a former British Army Air Corps officer, was one of six selected by the European Space Agency for its new astronaut training programme, beating out 9000 other applicants for his spot. After completing his intensive […]
Best of TED: an inside look at the nanoparticle that could help cure cancer
Paula Hammond’s TED talk ‘A new superweapon in the fight against cancer’ explores the use of nanoparticles as a new way to treat cancer. Hammond is the head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at MIT. Hammond’s talk can be found on ted.com under the ‘science’ section. Cancer consistently proves itself one of the greatest diseases […]
Best of TED: Are computers really the future of growing food?
Caleb Harper’s TEDtalk “This computer will grow your food in the future” discusses Harper’s work in the development of new agricultural systems to explore the future of food and its growth. Harper is the Principal Investigator and Director of the Open Agriculture Initiative, designed as an open-source data system to create a collaborative food network […]
Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love: The brain in love
…Are you addicted to love? Well our brains certainly seem to think so. From sexual attraction to long lasting love, the chemical powerhouse that is our brain is intricately involved with our reactions and desires for love. Most of us know or have at least heard of dopamine and its role in the brain to […]
Best of TED: 10 things you didn’t know about the big ‘O’
It’s Valentine’s Day soon and what better way to celebrate than to talk all things scientific about the orgasm? Mary Roach’s TED talk, ’10 things you didn’t know about orgasm’ is an enlightening 17 minute watch, though one you might not want to be broadcasting at full volume. In it, Roach delves into obscure scientific research […]
Science in the news: gene-editing
This week comes the news that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority or HFEA have given UK scientists approval to genetically modify donated human embryos. This is the first time that a country has approved such ‘gene-editing’ procedures. The issue is a controversial one. While many are concerned that such experimentation will lead to an […]