Magazine

Microorganisms as a contributing member of modern-day society

  Colonies of microorganisms cover a greater proportion of the Earth than we do as humans. Invading and multiplying, passing on their traits to their offspring and by natural selection, they are increasing in their destructive power (Fig.1). Despite their wreaking of havoc on humans on an almost day to day basis without them, we …

Microorganisms as a contributing member of modern-day society Read More »

The Groundbreaking U.N. Biodiversity Report: 1 million Species at Risk

On May 6, the United Nations (UN) released the largest report on the state of the planet’s biodiversity in 15 years. Research was compiled from more than 15,000 government and scientific reports by over 145 different authors from 50 countries.[1] The conclusions were startling. Scientists estimate that about 1 million species are threatened with extinction. …

The Groundbreaking U.N. Biodiversity Report: 1 million Species at Risk Read More »

Celebrating 50 Years Since the First Moon Landing

Introduction (Sona Popat) The day is July 20th, 1969. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins (Figure 1), the crew of the Apollo 11, land on the moon, and people around the world turn their eyes to the universe. A whole generation vividly remember the moment, with over half a billion people[1] gathering around their …

Celebrating 50 Years Since the First Moon Landing Read More »

Who Owns Space?

Introduction The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 agreed that Space exploration ‘shall be the province of all mankind’.[1] At the time, this was sufficient. Satellites were beginning to be sent up into the atmosphere and in 1961 Yuri Gagarin had become the first man to leave Earth, but the prospect of deep space exploration on …

Who Owns Space? Read More »

Should more money be spent on space exploration rather than to solve humanitarian problems on Earth?

On July 20th, 1969, a scientific breakthrough was made.  Neil Armstrong became the first human to ever set foot on Earth’s only Moon.  Ever since this remarkable day, his famous words “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” have been memorialised.  According to the Guardian, in that year alone, the total …

Should more money be spent on space exploration rather than to solve humanitarian problems on Earth? Read More »