Abby Tabor
The current #CnesTweetUp season ended this week, followed by both the start and finish of #AXApopdays 2014. The web series Knock Knock Doc came to a close last fall...and returned this week! And while software patents were just given new restrictions by the US Supreme Court, a mountain in Chile was liberated of its top: construction of the exoplanet-hunting European Extremely Large Telescope can now move forward. For every ending, a new beginning. Find out more in our selection of new for the week.
Cerro Armazones home of the future European Extremely Large Telescope (Credit: European Southern Observatory / Flickr)
On the MyScienceWork Menu:
First of all, let us be the first to celebrate the fact that…summer is here!! As things slow down a bit over the next couple of months, we’re happy to say that you can discover, or revisit, the entire Knock Knock Doc series, with one episode per week. Let’s start at the very beginning with Raoul de Charette and his system to see through the rain.
Knock Knock Doc - Episode 1 #Season 1: Bright Spots and Blurry Drops
As endings and beginnings generally go hand in hand, it’s only natural that the "Space Tuesdays" season and the #CnesTweetUp came to a close this week. The last subject dealt with understanding Mars for a better understanding of Earth.
The Tales that Mars Still Has to Tell
David Davila’s FameLab adventure recently came to an end, too, with him taking home the runner-up and public’s choice prizes at the international final. However, his love for sharing the wonders of science goes on. This time, you can find out why he’s so scared of the seemingly humble octopus.
The Science Behind Cthulu: Why Octopi Are Terrifying yet Awesome
And speaking of the popularization of science, we spent the last three days at #AXApopDays. Through a series of workshops and practical exercises culminating in presentations before an audience of business people, 19 researches funded by the AXA Research Fund learned to communicate about their work. Get a glimpse at what they learned, here:
- Diving in the Science Communication Deep End: Day 1 of AXA Pop Days 2014
- Interdisciplinarity, Teaching & Popularization: Keys to Research Success at Day 2 of AXA Pop Days 2014
Some favorites from around the web:
Meanwhile…
The Supreme Court just restricted software patents. Here's what that means.
The European Extremely Large Telescope is coming closer to reality—and all it took was removing the top of a mountain!
Mountain top exploded to make way for ghost telescope
Do professional writers carry out their activity in a similar way to professionals of other complex actions (athletes, musicians…)? Carl Zimmer reports on a study of the creative process that is drawing reactions both good and bad.
This Is Your Brain on Writing
A study in mice could explain what cats and many of us already know to be true: lounging about in the sun feels good.
Sunbathing may boost endorphins in the body and brain
There will be plenty of summer sun in Paris this weekend. May the endorphins be with you, too.
