Wednesday, 23 May, 2012

Don’t leave any goodies behind at the crime scene. Collect the bugs. Collect the maggots, and don’t forget to collect the ransom note. Forensic science — it’s better than you think!

RFID, radio frequency identification tags are being introduced to Wal-Mart, Defense Department, other parts of the supply chain. What are the privacy implications?

Arctic environment is warming fast, causing harm to wildlife, environment and indigenous people; faster warming predicted in the future. Welcome to the warmer world…

Climatologist instructed to obey NASA minder when talking with media. Political appointee wants to review web postings, journal articles, requests for interviews. What happens when science and politics mix?

Three specific storytelling skills are related to certain math skills, but not to math skills in general. If you can adopt a character’s perspective in a story, does that mean you are likely to be a math whiz?

As weapons proliferate, we wonder: exactly how do you make a nuke? How many nations have this ability? How can we track proliferators?

Bush proposes mission to moon and Mars, but how great are the scientific payoffs of this expensive, risky adventure? Would it be smarter – and cheaper – to send robots?

To battle the bulging waistline, the feds have devised 12 food pyramids to help choose a lifestyle that balances nutrition and excercise. Is this mound helpful?

What did the losing World Trade designs look like? What is the significance of a city skyline?

A Beautiful Mind raises the issue: How are mathematicians and scientists portrayed in movies and film? We dig white coats on silver screens.