Science News
In the rapidly changing world of modern science, new ideas and new technology are continually appearing. We'll try to keep you up to date.
More news stories coming soon!
Archived stories
Antibiotic crisis on the horizon?
(added 28/09/03) Are doctors and vets prescribing antibiotics too often? The number of types of bacteria that are resistant (not harmed) to antibiotics is on the increase. Professor Hugh McGavock has estimated that within 12 years, all antibiotics could be useless leading to unnecesary deaths from diseases that are easily treated today . . .
The Mars Missions
(added 09/07/03) Four missions to Mars are currently underway; two NASA missions using "Mars Exploration Rovers" , a European Space Agency Mission entitled Mars Express and an exceptionally slow (launched in 1998!) Japanese mission called Nozomi. What are the objectives of the missions? What do they hope to find?
DNA - 50 Years of the Double Helix
 (added 02/03/03) This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most significant breakthroughs in our understanding of life, how it functions and why we are the way we are. In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick worked out the structure of DNA, the molecule of the genetic code, the molecule of life. They showed that DNA is a double helix. The not-too-distant future will see genetic engineering on an unimaginable scale and hopefully cures for diseases like cancer and cystic fibrosis. Without the work of Watson and Crick, none of this would be possible!
New fossil finds reveal secrets of bird origins
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Scientists have believed for a long time that birds evolved from small dinosaurs. The most famous fossil bird is called Archaeopteryx, and shows some of the features of dinosaurs (including teeth) and some of modern birds. Now, the discovery of new fossils in China appears to support the idea. The dinosaurs, belonging to a group called the Dromaeosaurs, were about the size of a turkey and sported tufts of feathers on their body and four wings! [More here] |
Human Cloning
An organisation called ClonAid has announced that they have created the first human clone - they say that a child has been born who is the identical twin of her mother! The claims may prove to be false (see here), but cloning of human beings is going to be possible soon. Should it happen? What are the problems? How can it be done?
The site includes video footage of how cloning may be carried out.
Great Britons - the Great Debate
The BBC have been running a series of programmes on the 'Greatest Britons' in history. Winston Churchill emerged as the winner, but two scientists made the top ten - Charles Darwin and Sir Isaac Newton:
Charles Darwin
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When Charles Darwin published 'On the Origin Of Species . . . ' in 1859 the controversy was immediate. Darwin dared to suggest that animal and plant species had changed (evolved) through Earth's history and that human beings share common ancestors with other ape species (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans). These ideas were hugely controversial. In the scientific community Darwin's ideas are now largely accepted, but some people still find them hard to accept. What do you think? More on Darwin here |
Sir Isaac Newton
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Newton is most famous for his ground-breaking work on the laws of gravity and motion. He is famous for having a 'flash of inspiration' concerning the laws of gravity when an apple fell onto his head. Unfortunately, this story is probably false! Newton was not a pleasant man, but his contribution to modern science was truly extraordinary. More on Newton here. |
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