Understand articles

Showing 10 results from a total of 327

Understand

June 7, 2018 | Issue 44

Reflecting the Universe: building the world’s largest telescopes

For hundreds of years, telescopes have helped astronomers unravel the mysteries of the Universe. But what’s involved in making – and maintaining – the complex instruments of today?

Ages: 11-14, 14-16;
Topics: Physics, Astronomy / space, Engineering
           

Understand

June 7, 2018 | Issue 44

Evolution in action: from genetic change to new species

How do new species – or completely new types of organism – emerge? Time and separation are the key factors.

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: Biology, Science and society
             

Understand

June 5, 2018 | Issue 44

Bioinformatics: the new ‘cabinet of curiosities’

The curation of ‘big data’ in molecular biology is changing the way scientists work.

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: Biology, General science
         

Understand

March 21, 2018 | Issue 43

Ten things you might not know about fracking

Fracking is a hugely controversial technology, so it’s worth taking a closer look at the science behind the headlines.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Earth science, Engineering, Science and society
     

Understand

March 20, 2018 | Issue 43

Is science true?

Should we believe what science tells us? A philosopher of science comments on teachers’ responses to this challenging question.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: General science, Science and society
       

Understand

March 19, 2018 | Issue 43

Titanic and the iron-eating bacteria

A species of bacterium discovered on the decaying wreck of the Titanic is providing new insights into how to protect living cells from damage.

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: News from the EIROs, Physics, Biology, Chemistry
       

Understand

March 19, 2018 | Issue 43

Decoding DNA with a pocket-sized sequencer

USB-powered sequencers smaller than your smartphone could revolutionise the way we decode DNA – in hospitals, in remote locations and even in space.

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: Biology, Health
         

Understand

March 15, 2018 | Issue 43

Dinosaur discovery, self-sufficient space flight and structural biology for students

Science in School is published by EIROforum, a collaboration between eight of Europe’s largest inter-governmental scientific research organisations (EIROs). This article reviews some of the latest news from the EIROs.

Ages: not applicable;
Topics: News from the EIROs, Physics, Biology, Chemistry

Understand

December 1, 2017 | Issue 42

Evolution in action: pathogens

Pathogens that threaten human health are constantly evolving to keep ahead of our defences. But we can now track these changes at the genetic level, even as they are happening.

Ages: <11, 11-14, 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Biology, Health
             

Understand

November 28, 2017 | Issue 42

Guardian of the brain: the blood-brain barrier

Insights into the brain’s unique protective barrier could offer promising treatments for diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s.

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: Biology, Health