Wednesday, 23 May, 2012

Scientific journals choose self-censorship, decide not to publish articles related to biological weapons, bioterrorism and national security. Is this a necessary change in scientific tradition, or an over-reaction to a fearful political climate?

Genetically modified corn in Mexico starts scientific scandal; journal retracts article. What do we really learn from scientific publications? How have money and patents changed the scientific process?

Hubble Space Telescope is fixed, will add to history of discovery. Get a gander of galaxies, quasars, gamma ray sources, and other greatest hits of the greatest spyglass.

New research into alternative and complementary medicine shows effects of St. John’s wort, hypnosis and the placebo effect.

What is the secret of scientific creativity? What does it take to come up with the big discoveries? How do some institutions come up with more than their share of Nobels?

With more teachers trying to teach to the test, we ask whether standardized tests are a good thing. Do they ensure progress, or stifle creativity? What do the tests say about progress? And whatever happened in Texas?

What happens during the preparation and mounting of dinosaurs? What happened during the epic struggle over Sue, the queen of the T rexes? Can you do science with a jackhammer?

The dangers of fieldwork to natural and social scientists: Volcanoes, viruses, armed revolutionaries, wackos behind the wheel…

Uses of infrared radiation in cars, astronomy and meteorology.

What is evolution by natural selection and what is the evidence for evolution? Some fishy fossils from 375 million years ago may be a missing link showing how fish moved from water to land.