Neutrons for Christmas

The festive season is in full swing. The high street is full of fraught parents fighting their way to the shelves at Toys R Us, and baffled husbands debating whether an ironing board cover or a pair of socks is the best way to say “I love you” on December 25th. Kids are earnestly practicing [...]

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Obama and the rubbish gyre

The earth’s oceans contain complex currents, and in several places these form rotating systems. It’s a lot like the convection you might have learned about in school. Water is warmed at the equator and begins to move steadily north, taking the place of colder water. Once it gets too far north though, it loses steam, [...]

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Mimicry: Why it can be clever to be a copycat

To take your mind off this cold winter weather I want you to think back to the summer, when you were relaxing outside in a pub garden with a crisp, cool pint of beer. A yellow and black winged beastie buzzes its way over to your drink, and you jump up screaming and wildly flailing [...]

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