TOP 100 SCIENCE SITES
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| US grapples with bedbugs, misuse of pesticides By MATT LEINGANG 2010-08-31T03:40:34ZCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A resurgence of bedbugs across the U.S. has homeowners and apartment dwellers taking desperate measures to eradicate the tenacious bloodsuckers, with some relying on dangerous outdoor pesticides and fly-by-night exterminators.... hosted.ap.org |
EPA told gas drilling does, does not taint water By MARY ESCH 2010-09-13T22:25:44ZBINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) -- Rep. Maurice Hinchey told a federal hearing Monday that the Environmental Protection Agency must regulate hydraulic fracturing, the natural gas extraction process that he said has contaminated water near drilling sites around the country.... hosted.ap.org |
Health and Safety in Particle Physics II | Jon Butterworth After Lily's post on poor risk assessment in particle physics, I thought I should bring to your attention the risk of putting your hand in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) - as discussed by Ed Copeland and his colleagues at Nottingham UniversityI love this video from the University of Nottingham where physicists try to answer tricky but valid physics questions in real time. Seeing them think, and say they "don't know" sometimes, gives a better feel for research (and teaching) than a bevy of meticulously prepared seminars.The first question is "What would happen if I put my hand in the beam at the Large Hadron Collider". There were a variety of answers, but as far as I can tell my colleague Ed Copeland has most of the facts right.My guess is it would blow a hole and give you radiation sickness. (Answered, like Ed and his colleagues, without preparation). Some other comments: One of the physicists mentions the vacuum, which might be unpleasant. But it is also colder than space in there, which might be more of a problem.Also, although I don't want anyone to do the actual "hand in beam" experiment (it would delay data taking), it would be fairly simple to build a software model of a hand and body and do it virtually. This is how the detectors and beams are designed in the first place - see my article here. Could be a good masters project for someone.Ed has invited me to give a seminar in Nottingham in November. Looks like I'd better be prepared for some tricky questions.And many thanks to my co-blogger for drawing my attention to this video.Jon Butterworthguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Space double: Astronaut twins to join up in orbit By MARCIA DUNN 2010-10-10T03:35:47ZCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- The stars may have finally aligned for the world's only space sibling team.... hosted.ap.org |
Scientists confirm water from lunar probe A head-on collision by a NASA spacecraft last year has confirmed the presence of ice and other frozen compounds on the surface of the moon, according to scientists. abc.net.au |