Science News for Writers

Rice University computer scientist Moshe Vardi expects that within 30 years machines will be capable of doing almost any job that humans can. In anticipation of this development, he is asking his colleagues, "What will humans do?" What will humans do?  Well, we'll. . . do something, I suppose. Okay, so this isn't exactly a new question.  Many books, graphic novels and films attempt to answer this question - usually predicting a worst possible outcome. From personal experience I can tell you the retirement I so looked forward to for so many years actually sucks.  Big time.  So I'm back to work and a lot happier. Let's face it: retirement is an artificial construct.  Before the industrial revolution herded us into cities, separating us from extended family and traditional economic roles, there was no such thing as retirement per se.  People worked until they stopped working.  Not eight hour days, but as needed to keep the family fed and clothed ...

What values are important to scientists? While many people are marking today scrutinizing the virtues of their Valentines, researchers have revealed a first-of-its-kind study on the virtues and values of scientists. The study surveyed nearly 500 astronomers, biologists, chemists, physicists and earth scientists to identify the core traits of exemplary scientists. The study, presented at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C., surveyed nearly 500 astronomers, biologists, chemists, physicists and earth scientists to identify the core traits of exemplary scientists. The subjects selected were scientists who had been honored by their respective national organization or society, and the results show that above all, these researchers hold honesty and curiosity in the highest regard, said Robert Pennock, a professor in MSU's Lyman Briggs College and leader of the study. "If you're not curious, you're probably not...

Credit: University of Leicester   Archaeologists excavate large areas of medieval and post-medieval pitting in the backyards of properties running along Southgates. Archaeologists from University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) have unearthed new evidence of Roman and medieval Leicester after recently completing the excavation of two areas at the former Southgates Bus Depot, on the corner of Southgates and Peacock Lane in the centre of Leicester. Archaeologists, led by John Thomas and Mathew Morris of ULAS, have been investigating a series of medieval and post-medieval backyards dating from the 12th century through to the 16th century. These are likely to be associated with densely packed houses and shops which would have once fronted onto the important medieval street of Southgates. Evidence recorded includes stone-lined pits (possibly storage pits or cisterns), rubbish pits, latrines, wells, boundary walls and a possible late 15th or 16th century cellar. ...

Writing historical fiction requires solid research of available materials and databases.  The key word here is available.   So news of a new publicly accessible database that allows an author to research a very interesting past era is priceless almost beyond words.   I expect some exciting fiction to come out of this announcement. Here's the story, with a link to the source in the attribution. *  *  *  *  * London Lives, a landmark project led by Professor Bob Shoemaker from the University of Sheffield and Professor Tim Hitchcock from the University of Sussex, has uncovered a mass of extraordinary new evidence which reveals how the lives of thousands of 18th-century poor and criminal Londoners helped shape modern Britain. Based on evidence made available in a publicly available database, the study sheds new light on the everyday lives of thieves, prostitutes, vagrants, highwaymen, con-men, paupers and jailbirds, revealing how their dai...

One in 10 suicide-attempt risk among friends, relatives of people who die by suicide People bereaved by the sudden death of a friend or family member are 65 percent more likely to attempt suicide if the deceased died by suicide than if they died by natural causes. This brings the absolute risk up to 1 in 10, reveals new research. The researchers studied 3,432 UK university staff and students aged 18-40 who had been bereaved, to examine the specific impacts associated with bereavement by suicide. The results are published in BMJ Open. As well as the increased risk of suicide attempt, those bereaved by suicide were also 80% more likely to drop out of education or work. In total, 8% of the people bereaved by suicide had dropped out of an educational course or a job since the death. "Our results highlight the profound impact that suicide might have on friends and family members," says study author Dr Alexandra Pitman (UCL Psychiatry). "However, these outcomes ...