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40,085 articles from Guardian Unlimited Science

Clouded leopard caught on camera

Researcher in Indonesia captures rare photograph of tree-dwelling clouded leopard on the groundA rare image of a clouded leopard on the ground has been captured by a researcher in Indonesia who was trying to photograph slightly less unusual sun bears.Wai-Ming Wong is working on a doctorate at the University of Kent on how the bears ‑ which are regarded as less critically vulnerable than the...

Funding crisis sparks row over leadership of Royal Institution

Scientists gather to vote on call to replace august body's ruling council after departure of director Baroness GreenfieldLeading scientists will gather tonight to vote on a motion that could transform the leadership of the Royal Institution.Supporters of the London-based body's former director, Baroness Greenfield, who was made redundant in January, called a special general meeting to debate...

Science Weekly Smellycast

Odour enthusiast Will Andrews from Proctor and Gamble's perfume creation team tells us about the science of smells and predicts that future perfumes may remind us of PlayStations and warm electronics. Will also teaches us how to smell like an expert, and conducts a fragrance test live in the studio. Next week he will be giving a lecture on the subject at the Royal Institution in London. In the...


SUNDAY 11. APRIL 2010


Up close and phenomenal

Two decades after its launch, the telescope is still delivering stunning views of the heavens, writes Robin McKieThe brilliant tracers pouring from the centre of this image may have a dainty, colourful appearance. Their origins are anything but peaceful, however. These are rolling cauldrons of gas, heated to more than 20,000C, and they are pouring from a dying star five times bigger than our own...

Space: the final career frontier

• 'Astronaut' makes first appearance in UK careers handbook• UK space and satellite industry already supports 19,000 jobsBritish careers guides are boldly going where no guides have gone before: with advice to graduates on how to work a job in space. "Astronaut" is one of the job titles listed in the 2010/2011 Jobfile handbook, published by VT Lifeskills.The authors admit that competition is...


SATURDAY 10. APRIL 2010


Conviction for patients' deaths does not add up | Bad science

A Dutch nurse given life for murdering seven people in a killing spree that never happened will hear about her appeal on Wednesday. Will the people who jailed her apologise?Lucia de Berk is a Dutch nurse who has spent six years of a life sentence in jail for murdering seven people in a killing spree that never happened. She will hear about her appeal on Wednesday, and there is now little doubt...


FRIDAY 9. APRIL 2010



THURSDAY 8. APRIL 2010


Obituary: Peter Cooper

Psychologist and pioneer of focus groups in BritainPeter Cooper, who has died suddenly aged 73, was a psychologist who pioneered the use of the focus group in market research in the 1960s. His company, Cooper Research and Marketing, advised many large companies on consumer behaviour, helping them to understand the market in relation to leading brands.Peter also recognised the potential...