Perpetual Learning
Did you know that tiny specks of dust from outer space, which land on Earth every day, can actually tell us about the air our planet breathed millions of years ago? It sounds like science fiction, but it’s a fascinating reality that scientists are exploring. Scientists have discovered that certain types of cosmic dust, specifically … Read more
As a retired archivist, I’ve spent my life sifting through the records of human endeavor. And what I’ve learned is this: people have always been obsessed with collecting information. The fundamental drive to record, organize, and understand data hasn’t changed much, even if our tools have dramatically. Today, we swim in a sea of digital … Read more
Hello everyone, Eleanor here. As a retired archivist, I’ve spent my life sifting through the remnants of history, particularly the fascinating evolution of technology. Today, I want to talk about something ancient yet surprisingly relevant to our hyper-connected, automated world: the Antikythera mechanism. Discovered in a shipwreck off the coast of Greece in 1901, this … Read more
It’s incredible how much we’re still discovering about the natural world, and sometimes, the most exciting breakthroughs come from the least expected places. Today, I want to share some fascinating research that bridges marine biology and cancer therapeutics – a discovery involving a special molecule produced by tiny marine bacteria. Scientists have identified a novel … Read more
It’s easy to get caught up in the current wave of excitement surrounding Artificial Intelligence. We hear about its potential to transform every aspect of our lives. But as someone who’s spent decades sifting through the remnants of technological history, I find myself looking back to another era of impressive, sometimes overambitious, engineering: Ancient Rome. … Read more
It’s easy to think of automation as a modern invention, a product of silicon chips and complex algorithms. But the desire to have machines do our work, and do it tirelessly, is much older than you might imagine. Back in the 19th century, a time of booming industrialization, people were already dreaming of automated factories. … Read more
As a scientist, I’m naturally drawn to understanding how things work, especially when it comes to public health. An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to commercially distributed raw milk recently caught my attention. It’s a stark reminder that sometimes, the simplest foods can carry hidden risks. So, what exactly is raw milk? It’s milk … Read more
It’s always exciting to see science find practical solutions for environmental challenges. Today, I want to talk about something I find particularly promising: researchers are developing a way to use discarded glass in construction blocks. This isn’t just about recycling; it’s a smart application of the circular economy that could significantly boost sustainability in the … Read more
Have you ever seen a video or a picture of a freshly cut tree gushing water? It might look surprising, even a bit dramatic. But as a climate scientist, I see it as a clear, vivid illustration of how our forests and water cycles are deeply connected. It’s a simple phenomenon with complex roots, and … Read more
As a climate scientist, I spend a lot of time looking at data, at graphs, and at the subtle, often invisible, shifts happening on our planet. But sometimes, the most profound changes are the ones we can see, if we know where to look. Today, I want to talk about something we often take for … Read more