Science

History’s Hidden Engine

"Chronicling the new and revolutionary science of socionomics, History’s Hidden Engine is the result of more than three years of research and dedicated filmmaking by David Edmond Moore. In just 59 minutes and with the help of pop songs, news footage and cultural images, this documentary explores how social mood drives trends in movies, music, fashion, economics, politics, the media, and even the stock market. Moore traveled North America to capture the insights of 17 brilliant minds at the vanguard of socionomic research, and the results are nothing short of astonishing." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHistory’s Hidden Engine

Great Scientist ≠ Good at Math

"Many of the most successful scientists in the world today are mathematically no more than semiliterate. Pioneers in science only rarely make discoveries by extracting ideas from pure mathematics. Most of the stereotypical photographs of scientists studying rows of equations on a blackboard are instructors explaining discoveries already made. Real progress comes in the field writing notes, at the office amid a litter of doodled paper, in the hallway struggling to explain something to a friend, or eating lunch alone. Eureka moments require hard work. And focus. Ideas in science emerge most readily when some part of the world is studied for its own sake." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGreat Scientist ≠ Good at Math

Great Scientist ≠ Good at Math

"Many of the most successful scientists in the world today are mathematically no more than semiliterate. Pioneers in science only rarely make discoveries by extracting ideas from pure mathematics. Most of the stereotypical photographs of scientists studying rows of equations on a blackboard are instructors explaining discoveries already made. Real progress comes in the field writing notes, at the office amid a litter of doodled paper, in the hallway struggling to explain something to a friend, or eating lunch alone. Eureka moments require hard work. And focus. Ideas in science emerge most readily when some part of the world is studied for its own sake." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGreat Scientist ≠ Good at Math

Millions, possibly billions of dollars awarded to scientists for duplicate studies

"Big Data computation at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech reveals that over the past two decades funding agencies may have awarded millions and possibly billions of dollars to scientists who submitted the same grant request multiple times — and accepted duplicate funding. An analysis led by Harold R. Garner, a professor at Virginia Tech, not only indicates that millions in funding may have been granted and used inappropriately, it points to techniques to uncover existing instances of duplicate funding and ways to prevent it in the future." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMillions, possibly billions of dollars awarded to scientists for duplicate studies

Millions, possibly billions of dollars awarded to scientists for duplicate studies

"Big Data computation at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech reveals that over the past two decades funding agencies may have awarded millions and possibly billions of dollars to scientists who submitted the same grant request multiple times — and accepted duplicate funding. An analysis led by Harold R. Garner, a professor at Virginia Tech, not only indicates that millions in funding may have been granted and used inappropriately, it points to techniques to uncover existing instances of duplicate funding and ways to prevent it in the future." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMillions, possibly billions of dollars awarded to scientists for duplicate studies

Sun Storm Forecast: Tiny Chance of Havoc

"It was the biggest geomagnetic storm in recorded history. The Sun hurled billions of tons of electrons and protons whizzing toward Earth, and when those particles slammed into the planet’s magnetic field they created spectacular auroras of red, green and purple in the night skies — along with powerful currents of electricity that flowed out of the ground into the wires, overloading the circuits. Scientists say it is impossible to predict when the next monster solar storm will erupt and whether Earth will lie in its path. What they do know is that with more sunspots come more storms, and this fall the Sun is set to reach the crest of its 11-year sunspot cycle." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSun Storm Forecast: Tiny Chance of Havoc

Scientists create ‘superbrain’ by connecting thoughts of two rats

"Scientists on Thursday said they had enabled a rat to help a fellow rodent while the animals were a continent apart but connected through brain electrodes. With electrodes imbedded in its cortex, a rat in a research institute in Natal, Brazil sent signals via the Internet to a counterpart at a university lab in Durham, North Carolina, helping the second animal to get a reward. The exploit opens up the prospect of linking brains among animals to create an 'organic computer,' said Brazilian neurobiologist Miguel Nicolelis. It also helps the quest to empower patients stricken with paralysis or locked-in syndrome, he said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingScientists create ‘superbrain’ by connecting thoughts of two rats

Artificial Leaf Generates 100 Watts of Power from Dirty Water

"This development all of a sudden makes it practical to bring this solution to places like Africa, where power is undependable. Each one of these artificial leaves is capable of producing 100 watts of power, enough to keep the lights on at night, and a few more will keep a small refrigerator running. In the first world, putting these at the waste water outflows on houses can help with a household’s power needs and ease up on the grid. We’re still a few years away from seeing this as a viable solution on large scales, but hey, but the time the artificial leaf does hit the market, you should be able to run 15 light bulbs from a single plate. Isn’t that something?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArtificial Leaf Generates 100 Watts of Power from Dirty Water

American teenager designs compact nuclear reactor

"The American teen, four years after designing a fusion reactor he planned to build in the garage of his family’s home, has designed a small reactor capable of generating 50-100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power as many as 100,000 homes. The reactor can be made assembly-line style and powered by molten radioactive material from nuclear weapons. The relatively small, modular reactor can be shipped sealed with enough fuel to last for 30 years. His reactors are designed to spin turbines using gas instead of steam, meaning they operate at temperatures lower than those of typical nuclear reactors and don’t spew anything if there is a breach." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmerican teenager designs compact nuclear reactor

Dan Ariely: What makes us feel good about our work?

"What motivates us to work? Contrary to conventional wisdom, it isn't just money. But it's not exactly joy either. It seems that most of us thrive by making constant progress and feeling a sense of purpose. Behavioral economist Dan Ariely presents two eye-opening experiments that reveal our unexpected and nuanced attitudes toward meaning in our work. (Filmed at TEDxRiodelaPlata.)" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDan Ariely: What makes us feel good about our work?