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Science News
A bunch of Sperm Whale teenagers meet a tragic end
In late January and early February this year at least 29 young male Sperm Whales were migrating south from sub-polar waters when, for some unknown reason, they wandered into shallow waters in the North Sea. Reuters quotes Stephen March, the…
Was tweet about gravitational wave detection irresponsible and attention seeking?
I've watched with amusement and annoyance the maelstrom of excitement that has swept the world of physics reporting the past few days. If you google 'gravitational waves' you will find a slew of articles published in all the leading…
2015 Popular Science Books Christmas Wishlist
2015 saw the publication of some amazing popular science books for curious people. Whether you're buying some last minute gifts for the hard-to-buy-for, or just want something stimulating to keep you awake after that massive Christmas…
What’s the deal with carbon emission deals at COP21 Paris?
With talks started in Paris there is a flutter of attention on climate change this week. The biggest questions focus on whether a new agreement will be reached, will it be honoured and, most importantly, will it be enough? After the recent…
Top Picks for Science Week 8th- 15th Nov
Science Week Ireland is celebrating its 20th year. Here is our top picks:
Screening and discussion: The Human Scale
For the post screening discussion we will be joined by Dr Gerald Mills, Head of School, UCD Geography, Ania Rok, Social…
Shot of Science: Microbiome, Bees, Kgs, Molecules & Babies
What’s a kilogram?
We’d like fewer on our waistline but, at the greengrocer’s we want more (and for less money). If they’re gold, they cost tens of thousands of euros (each). They’re the first thing mentioned about a new baby. But what’s a…
Shot of Science
Fishy partners help each other
Fishes are capable of helping each other, in a complex social behaviour which until now had only been observed in a few species of highly social birds, primates and humans.
Scientists from James Cook…
Shot of Science: Lunar Eclipse, New Early Humans, Binge Eating & Blue Bastards.
Total Lunar Eclipse
On September 28th you better make sure you set your alarms earlier than usual. One of the most spectacular natural sights, a total lunar eclipse, will be visible to all of you in Ireland in the early hours of Monday the…
From Space University to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Hi all!
This is my final update for Headstuff on all things Space for now. And also the end of the summer for us all. In my last post, I was in the middle of my final week on the Space Studies programme in Athens Ohio. And I have to…
Shot of Science: Flu, Stress, Lying, Play and Urban Life
Labour and the stressy placenta
Every year about 15 million babies are born prematurely – that is before the 37th week of gestation – and the number is rising. In 2013, nearly 1 million babies died as a consequence of premature birth,…