September 3, 2012

I think it is getting harder for science to impress. Whilst the LHC and now Curiosity undoubtedly grab the public’s interest – there seems to me to be a general...

August 17, 2012

Mars – what is there left to learn about the big Red Planet? It’s red, it’s cold and it’s dry – that much we know. But what other secrets does...

August 17, 2012

While reminiscing about his childhood version of Spider-Man, Russ Swan asks what type of spider would modern-day Peter Parker be bitten byYou know you’re getting old when a favourite fictional...

August 4, 2012

Last month, Lab News columnist and general science raconteur, Russ Swan wrote about the staggering lack of imagination from scientific equipment companies when it comes to their kit. In terms...

August 2, 2012

There are two discoveries I’d like to talk to you about in this month’s column. The first, perhaps unsurprisingly, concerns what has become the world’s best known elementary particle –...

July 25, 2012

“Since this is a bumper year for sport, I want you lazy lot to do something on the science and myths in sports” came the terrifying words from the Editor....

July 18, 2012

UK Biobank is now open for business, with researchers able to access biological samples from over 500,000 Britons. It is undeniably an amazing resource but there are still issues that...

July 17, 2012

When the world is such a colourful place, Russ Swan asks why is the lab so grey?When you think about it, a lot of traditional lab work involves one tiny...

July 2, 2012

Can good news also be disappointing? I think it can. Let me explain – The Royal Society has teamed up with the government to explore and promote diversity in the...

June 20, 2012

What’s in a name? Well - when it comes to scientific equipment- too many capitals and a penchant for the pretentious says Russ SwanI WONDER if there is any field...