Articles

EUSci magazine is released three times a year, with a wide range of themes covering diverse subjects from across science. Suitable articles that don't make it into the print magazine will usually still be edited and displayed online. Have a look at what other people have written, and submit a piece yourself!

Worlds Apart

Submitted by Jon Manning on Sat, 2011-01-01 23:43
Declan Valters tells us how we may soon get a response when we ask, “Is there anybody out there?”

The chances of planets with similar conditions as our Earth existing were thought to be slim at best. However, in recent years the number of Earth-like planets discovered has steadily increased. The most recent, Gliese 581 g, is particularly exciting as it is the nearest Earth-like planet found to date, lying a mere 20.5 light years away from our own solar system. To put this into perspective, the nearest star to Earth, Proxima Centauri, is 4.2 light years away. Read more »

Kitchen Science: How to Make the Perfect Steak?

Submitted by Jon Manning on Sat, 2011-01-01 23:43
Edward Duca attempts sous vide on some prime beef steak

Aim

To make the perfect steak: tender, juicy and packed with flavour using sous vide, and compare this to traditional cooking methods. Sous vide maintains a constant low temperature for a set duration allowing degradation of proteins (i.e. tenderness) whilst retaining water (i.e. flavour).

Apparatus and Materials

Prime sirloin steaks (fillet is better); herbs, fresh of course; a pot; string; a vacuum cleaner; zip-and-seal food safe plastic bags; a surgeon who ties the best knots in town; a thermal imaging camera (point its laser at anything to produce lovely thermal images and temperature readings accurate to around 0.1oC); a photographer (insurance policy: can make a failure look like a success); mum's kitchen (writing a PhD can leave you with very little money of your own). Read more »

Altitude Research: A Steep Learning Curve

Submitted by Jon Manning on Sat, 2011-01-01 23:43
James Barclay discusses altitude illness and an Edinburgh student-led research expedition

British mountaineer George Mallory was once asked, “Why do you want to climb Everest?”, to which he gave the immortal retort, “Because it’s there.” Since then, countless enthusiasts have followed in that same spirit of adventure by climbing to the world’s loftiest points for the challenge and exhilaration. While the equipment that climbers sport these days may make the ascent safer, the body still suffers from the same treacherous low-oxygen conditions that would have blighted Mallory. Next summer, a group of Edinburgh students will be leading an expedition to a high-altitude laboratory to study this. Read more »

What Makes a Good Cow in East Africa?

Submitted by Jon Manning on Sat, 2011-01-01 23:43
Amy Jennings describes her time working on the IDEAL project in Kenya

Efficient livestock farming, sensitive to cultural expectations, can offer those living in areas of many developing countries a way to climb from poverty. Cattle are considered to be the most valuable livestock, however they are a high-risk investment strategy as cattle face numerous threats such as infectious disease and malnutrition due to regular periods of drought. These are often coupled with limited access to veterinary care. Read more »

What’s in a Name? Searching for a Species Concept

Submitted by Jon Manning on Sat, 2011-01-01 23:43
Arvid Ågren and Chris White explore why a precise definition for species remains elusive
Read more »
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