The World's Smallest Etch-a-Sketch

Science-A-Sketch

Etch-a-sketch is a classic childhood toy. In fact, it's so well- known it even makes a cameo in Toy Story. Now, 50 years on, it's hard to see how you could re-invent this art pad, but some researchers at the London Centre for Nanotechnology may  have done just that, on an nano-scale at least.

The team have discovered they can use an X-ray beam to draw  shapes, by giving a material high superconductivity, (when a  material causes no energy to be lost as electricity flows through  it).

They use a 'pad' made of oxygen, copper and lanthanium, an element also used for hybrid car batteries. They then shine an X-ray 'pen' onto the pad to create areas where the electricity can flow un-opposed. This occurs as the oxygen atoms beneath the X-ray beam rearrange, to allow electricity to flow more easily through them. This leaves behind a trail, or drawing, which can then be wiped off using a heat treatment, in the same way you could erase a drawing on an Etch-a-Sketch by shaking it.

The scientists so far have used the method of changing a material's structure to draw very precise circuits, which can be altered in one simple step. This is a huge discovery for technology and will have an impact on everything which uses superconductors, from MRI scans to MAGLEV trains.

Prof Bianconi, the leader of the research team said, “It is amazing that in a few simple steps, we can now add superconducting ‘intelligence’ directly to a material consisting mainly of the common elements copper and oxygen.”

Dolphin Wisdom Revealed

According to a friend, people think we’ll be able to talk with dolphins within 5 years. After questioning his drinking habits (and a quick Google), it turns out he was right. Research has shown that once we get the basics of the ‘click click’ language of dolphin’s down, we’ll be able to hold full conversations with them in as little as five years time.

Will we be able to speak directly to this dolphin, and it its own language, soon?

Ten years ago, at the Dolphin Institute in Hawaii, Louis Herman found Dolphins could understand the difference between statements, questions, concepts like “zero” and that by changing the word order of a sentence you change its meaning. Then last year researchers at the Wild Dolphin Project in California, developed a method of communicating with dolphins via whistles and signals. The dolphins quickly learnt which signal stood for which object during half-hour sessions spent with the creatures. This meant humans could play fetch with the dolphins for specific toys.

Now, those same scientists have taken it a step further by creating a way for the dolphins to request the humans fetch them things back. They originally set up a huge keyboard with images on, which the dolphins could use to point out ‘requests’ such as seaweed to play with. This has progressed into advanced equipment divers wear around their necks which repeats a word coined to mean things like ‘seaweed’, until the dolphins repeat it back. The diver’s can’t do this themselves as dolphins clicks range to wavelengths far above those we are able to hear, and since they don’t turn their heads to look at who they’re speaking to, it’s hard to know which member of a school is speaking. Slowly, the team are building a new language which both dolphins and humans can understand.

The next step is to start listening out for specific pieces of language from the dolphins themselves so that they can start piecing together a dictionary of sorts, with which to translate the dolphins most intimate conversations. After that who knows what we could learn, the Dolphin Communication Research team, SpeakDolphin has come up with 20 suggestions they would like to ask dolphins first. ‘What name do you call yourselves?’ seems a bit mundane, but ‘are you in contact with life forms beyond this planet?’, seems much more like it.

Natural mathematicians nonplussed by negative numbers from an early age

Ai is 35 years old and lives with her son, Ayumu. They both work together in a computer lab in Kyoto, Japan. Ai and Ayumu caused a riot in 2008 when they proved they could win at any standard (albeit math based) computer game. Using their faster-than-average ability to remember numbers in sequence they would beat the computer to win a sip of apple juice. Oh yeah, they are also chimpanzees.

Ayumu enjoying a spot of number sequencing from memory

Their research proved that all animals are born with a natural instinct for numbers. Specifically, how to compare ratios, such as whether or not the tree on the left or right has more fruit. Or where on a London Tube you're more likely to get a seat.


Last week scientists at John Hopkins university pushed this one step further by proving that all humans are born with the ability to already be good or bad at math. An important theory since it may be possible to train a child's innate number sense to be better, but it is much harder to change a natural aptitude for the subject.


In order to test those who have been least influenced by education, the research is carried out on very young children who have yet to go to school. The team flashed images of yellow and blue dots up onto a screen and asked the kids which there were more of, (you can take your own test here: http://www.panamath.org/testyourself.php ). The children were also required to take tests of aptitude, similar to those Ai and Ayumu took. Addition, multiplication and percentage questions were all asked of children who have barely mastered counting on their fingers. The children's parents were also tested for verbal skills to see if the results were specifically due to natural intelligence as opposed to a child being suited to test conditions.


The research showed that the children who performed well at the dot tests, also got the best results for natural numerical ability. Ultimately the tests proved that inbuilt math skills at birth can affect whether or not you will do better at your math GCSE. So next time your addition is put to the test, you might not be able to blame any mistakes on your rubbish math teacher after all!

"It's Molecular, my dear Watson"

As the third most abundant element in the Universe, you would think finding two of these atoms joined together wouldn’t exactly be Astronomy’s version of a detective mystery. However, up until now definitive evidence of molecular oxygen, a necessary molecule for life, has eluded scientists. This month the solar system’s best private investigators will publish their results into exactly where it’s been hiding.

Earth’s own atmosphere has been pulling the wool over scientist’s eyes for years. Elements in space are detected using wavelength spectra, and specific bright spots seen on these spectra are clues to the identity of each element. The Earth’s atmosphere is composed of about 21% oxygen. Unfortunately this was found to be absorbing any evidence of those wavelengths specific to oxygen. Only recent advances in technology have allowed us to measure spectra from space, without interference.  

In theory oxygen should only be 100 000 times less abundant than hydrogen. However, the Herschel Space Observatory scientists have been repeatedly baffled to find, experimentally, it is 10 000 000 times less abundant. However, as Sherlock Holmes once said “It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has all the data.” So where is all the oxygen?

The new evidence suggests the culprit is water ice. Oxygen atoms are disguising themselves as water ice by clinging to dust grains in freezing cold parts of the universe. However, the Orion Nebula, has caused their mask to fall. The Orion Nebula, is the nearest massive star forming region to Earth. Here newborn stars radiate heat, which is able to evaporate the ice, allowing molecular oxygen to form and leaving it exposed to discovery.

"Theory suggests we should find lots of oxygen atoms locked in molecular oxygen (O₂), but previous searches kept falling short of such a large amount," comments Paul Goldsmith from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the US. Goldsmith is the NASA Herschel Project Scientist "With these new data, we finally have a strong hint at where cosmic oxygen might be hiding," he adds.

The mystery of the missing molecule may have been solved for now, but the Herschel observations of extraordinary sources project has many more riddles to help unravel yet.

Ref: P. Goldsmith, R. Liseau, et al., "Herschel measurements of molecular oxygen in Orion", Astrophysical Journal, in press.

Bad news travels fast. Well, two feet a day at least.

The Adirondacks Mountains in NY are somewhere most people would go to relax. Even the tourist website invites you to "slow down this summer and camp out under a canopy of stars." Although you may wake up with your tent far from where you pitched it. The Adirondacks, for the past month and a half have been experiencing a landslide. It's moving up to 2 ft each day, fairly fast for an area where most move only a few inches. Although it's excuricatingly slow for the owners of the (now condemned) house, teetering at the edge.

A house teetering at the edge of the slope

The whole side of the hill, about 82 acres of forest, boulders, house foundations and earth, is being dragged down the sides of Porter mountain after this year's heavy snow and rain caused a build up of groundwater. The groundwater seeped into the 12,000 year old glacial till and sands, and the increased water pressure reduced the overall strength of the hillside, and started the movement. The USGS states that 80% of NY is not susceptible to landslides, but if there's a steep slope, like the high peak of Porter Mountain, then it's very easy for the top loose sediment layer to slip, like treacle, down the slope. 

Porter Mountain seen from a distance, the steep slopes causing the landslide are visible

With one house already destroyed and several others moving perilously close to the steep drop at the edge of the scarp, some residents have enlisted house movers to pick up their entire houses and park them at safer locations on the mountain flanks. Although, they have yet to drill a borehole in any property which can find stable ground. With each rainstorm the slide moves faster and the residents are now praying for summer, when the trees will take up more water and hopefully slow the pace. 

Andrew Kozlowski , a geologist for New York, states that there is no way of knowing how long the slide will last for, "It could stop in a few weeks. Or it could keep moving for three months. Or three years. We just can't tell. It has to reach a new equilibrium." There was no warning of the Adirondacks slide and it's possible there are many other areas which could landslide in the mountain range. The last big slide in New York occured in 1993 about 150 miles south west of the current slide.  Slow moving landslides are common in America, and the USGS is also monitoring one in North Salt Lake City, Utah which has been sliding for twelve years. Despite causing up to $2 billion worth of damage in the US alone, they are still one of the least studied natural disasters. 

Landslides turn catastrophic when they turn suddenly into mud of debris flows which travel extremely fast and can cause billions of dollars worth of destruction and high death tolls. If there's another heavy rainstorm it's possible the landslide could take the house right over the edge or worse. State Geologists, however, remain confidant they are well versed in monitoring the speeds of landslides and most catastrophic movement is preceeded by gradual acceleration which can be measured. There is also now a proposal to map the area using LIDAR (a way of mapping the topography beneath the forest) to determine if they can find any areas which are also susceptible. 

"You can argue with the Geologist, but not with the rocks!"

On 28^th June 2011  Portcullis House welcomed an odd looking bunch, as hundreds of scientists descended for the annual Parliamentary Links Day. Run by The Royal Society for Chemistry it’s success, I suspect, is due to the insistent nature of Stephen Benn (son of Tony), who chairs the event. Delegates included fellows from several scientific societies, various MP’s and other politically minded people eager to hear presentations on this year’s theme of Global Challenges.

Rt Hon John Bercow, Speaker of the House, introduced the event with an impression of Tony Benn (www.rsc.org)

The science presenters focused on a specific Global Challenge related to their subject. Dr Jim Wild echoed Andrew Miller MP that “ Astronomy is the most inspirational subject”. Then joked he’d incite mass panic, as he explained solar flares could hit during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics. “At the centre of climate change is Biology,” we were told by Dr Mark Downs, as he covered the various biological topics, from international trade to waste management, which can be considered Global Challenges. We were then entertained by Dr Brian Lovell OBE, President of the Geological Society, with his photo albums of past field trips. These acted as evidence that carbon capture and storage is effectively reducing carbon in the atmosphere. Interestingly, on a day devoted to establishing links, there was little mention about collaborations between the disciplines.

Brian Lovell explains how analysis of rocks led to his deep concern about the buildup of carbon dioxide and its consequences for humans and their planet. (youtube)

In between the scientists, the politicians explained ways science and policy could work together to tackle these Global Challenges. Dr Julian Huppert MP, explained why “basing decisions on evidence”, is a scientific reflex which should be run out across parliament. Whilst Chi Onwurah MP insisted only partnerships between the public and private sectors will make the most of innovative research, and a difference to the global challenges we face. It was continually noted that in order to fix global issues, we need to collaborate around the globe. Rt Hon David Willetts MP made a very sensible point, “we now we have a scientific advisor in every political department”. Since politicians are given the best access to foreign departments, the Haldene Principle makes it hard for these advisors to forge international links into joint scientific research. Although, he couldn’t answer my question on whether or not this might be reformed, as he had to run off, probably to prepare for that evening’s Newsnight.

Whilst all of the speakers agreed on the need to enthuse the “new generation of scientists”, only Prof. Lorna Casselton mentioned better science communication. The sudden rise to fame of the Rock Star Physicist, Dr Brian Cox OBE is an example of how packaging a scientific message in the right way can, and will, enthuse a classroom filled with potential Pasteur’s and Darwin’s. Examples from today, like Bryan Lovell and Imran Khan proved that being educated in the methods and tricks of science communication can make science far easier to understand and much more accessible to both new generations and decision makers.

Prof Brian Cox OBE- Former D:Ream keyboardist turned avid Science Communicator

Despite the scientists ignoring interdisciplinary links and placing their own subjects at the heart of the challenges faced, Parliamentary Links Day 2011 could be considered a great success. It brought less well-known actions of groups such as CASE, and research of less well discussed topics, such as weather models, to the forefront of discussion. However, perhaps next year the topic of communicating science could be the theme of the Day.

Congratulations NASA, it's a ... Rover?

This week the Mars Science Laboratory completed the first part of it's mission, flying from its birthplace in California to it's launch-pad in Florida. Here it will take it's first steps on a year long flight to Mars. NASA's latest prodigy arrived late on Wednesday night, weighing 7500 pounds and with all 3 of it's cameras, 4 spectrometers and 5 other sensors perfectly intact. 

Mars Rover Curiosity, Left Side View (NASA/JPL-Caltech)

The last expedition to Mars proved a huge success, mostly down to the Spirit Rover. Spirit's heroic contribution to the exploration of Mars is to be commemorated in a service later this year, after Nasa chose to pull the plug on the ailing old timer on 24th May 2011. Spirit beautifully surpassed all expectations by running 5 3/4 years longer than her originally intended 90 sol (1 sol = 24hr 37 minutes) expedition. She even transmitted data and collected samples despite having to traverse backwards, dragging an injured front wheel in her wake! 

 A video from NASA reflecting on Spirit's Triumphs on Mars 

MSL's rover Curiosity is bigger, heavier and can travel further than Spirit and her brother Opportunity. Although Curiosity will still retain many of their more successful features she will also have equipment to gather samples of rock and soil and be able to distribute them to onboard analaytical instruments. And, unlike previous rovers, Curiosity is powered by the radioactive decay of plutonium. This means she can collect data for a full year, where previous, solar powered rovers, went into hibernation during winter months.

It's intended launch later this year, is a shimmering star on the horizon for Mars scientists, representing the first leap into a new decade of space exploration. The mission goal is to determine whether the landing site and surrounding areas have ever (or still can) support life. It also aims to prepare for human exploration by demonstrating the ability to land a very large and heavy rover, very precisely.

Curiosity's Science Instruments showing the 4 spectrometers and 3 cameras on board.

The Spacecraft has been designed to steer itself into landing in a similar series of moves that the astronauts landing a rocket would use, then slowly lower the rover into place by tether. This has made several, previously inaccessible, landing sites available by increasing the accuracy of landing by 5 times. However, the landing could still be anywhere within an area of 20 kilometers (see ellipse in image below). 

Image of Gale Crater showing 20km wide possible landing ellipse and layered mound in centre (NASA/JPL image)

The landing site will be chosen later this week by a crack team of scientists, choosing a spot which fulfills these criteria:

 i) Evidence that the area may once have, or still can, support life

 ii)Meeting the safety requirements and engineering problems faced by landing a rover

iii) Allow the rover to operate and perform its duties immeadiately

Out of four options the Gale Crater was today tipped by Nature to be favourite. The 3.5 billion year old crater is named after Walter Frederick Gale, an australian banker who became a renowned astronomer after discovering several comets and describing the canals on Mars. The crater has long been topic of discussion due to the layered mound in the centre. Suspected to be layered clay minerals with alternating layers of sulfur and oxygen-bearing minerals above, this peak could have formed due to periodic flooding and be protecting complex organic minerals indicative of microbial life. There are also several channels carved into the sides of the mound by water erosion which would provide ideal cross-sections for the rover to analyse. The Gale Crater is competing against Eberswalde Crater and Holden Crater who's river delta sediments may hide organic lakebed deposits. Whilst Mawrth Vallis, the mineralogists favourite as it contains some of the oldest and most complex rock sequences on Mars, appears to have come in last in a site selection workshop last month.

Layers visible in Gale Crater- Image taken by HiRise (NASA/JPL image library)

NASA is expected to make the decision next Friday and announce which landing site has won the week after, the rover will then remain incubated until it's launch from the Kennedy Space Centre at the end of the year. Congratulations NASA!