Hands-on history of science

SC&TECH FETURE:::combinedly science&tech correspondent&Dickinson College students/royal society blog)::::If one is going to inspire students to begin to think, research and write like historians of science I find it impossible to imagine a better place to start than the Royal Society archives.

Grant Braught, Associate Professor of Computer Science, writes: Each fall, for more than 10 years now, groups of third-year science students from Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pennsylvania, USA) have been visiting the Royal Society as part of a London-based course on the history of science. At the end of each visit the offer has been extended for the students to register as readers, giving them access to the Society’s archives. This year I decided we would take them up on that offer!

To that end, this year’s course centers on a term paper requiring each student to select an original document from the archives and then to tell the story of the people, the ideas and the social, political and scientific climate surrounding the document. I’ve asked a few of the students to write about the items they selected and their experiences at the Royal Society. This is what they found:

Reed Salmons says: Upon first entering the Royal Society, I was enamored by the beautiful layout of the building. Sitting center stage in the middle of the main reception was a greatmace given by King Charles II in 1663, and such an ornate item served as a great warm up for the historical items to come. I chose to do my report on a collection of letters between Sir Isaac Newton and Edmond Halley. Having studied the sciences for the past few years, I have been well versed in both men’s achievements. However, holding signed letters from the inventor of calculus and the discoverer of Halley’s Comet was an overwhelming learning experience. In these letters, I could see the basis of Newton’s theories on elliptical orbits, calculus and ‘Opticks’, as well as vague references to his soon-to-be-famous inverse square law. Also very apparent in Newton’s writing was his animosity towards his primary adversary in the scientific community, Robert Hooke. I am planning to further investigate this rivalry, looking for evidence in these letters for my thesis that the conflict assisted Newton in his successes.

Elizabeth Austin says: As students we have grown up studying the great natural philosophers of history. Everyone knows of Newton, Einstein, Jenner, and Franklin: they are the forefathers that laid the groundwork and developed science into the revolutionary discipline that it is today. This assignment, however, gave us the opportunity to pursue our personal interests from a historiographical perspective, and it has been inspiring and powerful to be able to access the documents that laid the foundations for our intended professions. As an aspiring veterinarian I researched the history of animal science and animal rights and found a document titled ‘Experiments on Animals and Cruelty to Animals Act’, published in 1952 by the Research Defence Society to update MPs on animal rights legislation. The pamphlet clearly articulates the scientists’ discomfort and dissatisfaction with the attention and criticism they were receiving, and it is interesting to read about researchers’ perspectives at a time when the culture of science was changing and becoming what it is today. For me, reading this pamphlet raised a variety of questions: how do British and US animal rights compare, and did one influence the other? Did any single event catalyze the movement? How has this legislation influenced the country?  Did the Committee’s review significantly impact and shape the UK’s veterinary profession? In my thesis, I plan to compare the evolution of British and US animal rights legislation.

Rae Buhosky says: While in London, not only did we have the opportunity to conduct research at the Royal Society; we also visited many historical landmarks. The topic for my paper, chemotherapy, was inspired by our visit to the Alexander Fleming Museum at St. Mary’s Hospital, and the subject also seemed fitting considering many of the Fellows played some part in advancing chemotherapy and medicine. I spent a large portion of my time skimming through biographies to expand my knowledge about the Fellows that I was particularly interested in, such as Fleming and Ehrlich. I really enjoyed being surrounded by hundreds of years of life stories, and I found the Biography collection to be a special aspect of the Royal Society that I just could not get enough of.  Through these explorations the topic of my paper developed into the evolution of chemotherapy, using a lecture by Sir Howard Florey as my main resource.  Florey reflects upon the great trials and tribulations of scientists such as Pasteur, Koch and Lister. Throughout the lecture, he also describes the successes within this newly found area of medicine. Working with these resources has given me an increased respect for those who went outside the box and continued to search for successful results even when most others doubted them. 

Avgi Chatzimpalioti says: The document I chose for my research is a report written by the Royal Society Glassworkers’ Cataract Committee, active between 1908 and 1928. The aim of the committee, which included Sir John Parsons and Sir William Crookes, was to find the exact causes of cataracts in people working in glassworks and mines, investigate different types of glasses and their resistance to certain light rays that harm human eyes and, ultimately, to improve eye protection for the workers. Although initially I was interested in researching Edward Bush’s theories on light properties, the extensive collection of archived documents in the same bundle gave me access to more specific cases related to experiments on light, their findings and implications. I therefore got the chance to read Parsons’s experiments with light on eyes, which then led me to the report by the Glassworkers’ Cataract Committee. That was the moment I realized the interdependence of each scientist’s findings and the fascinating chronology connecting their accomplishments. Accessing these handwritten documents by important scientists has been an experience for which I am very grateful to the Royal Society.

Jonathan Jackson says: I was mesmerized by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek’s letters to the Royal Society. One letter in particular, sent in 1676 to Henry Oldenburg, records Leeuwenhoek’s observations of free-living protozoa and bacteria in samples of rainwater collected from his gutter. These observations mark the first time man had seen single cell organisms and are the advent of the field of science that we now call microbiology. After some additional research on Leeuwenhoek, I discovered that he was a linen draper who had barely any education yet was still able to take remarkable notes on the observations revealed by his hand-fashioned microscope.  His notes resemble those of the many trained scientists of his day, and his experiments have the ability to be duplicated. I plan to delve deeper into the legacy that this modest scientist left behind.

The students conclude: Researching in the Royal Society archives was a unique and extraordinary experience. We are grateful to the Royal Society for letting us in their doors and their Library. The experience would not have been possible without the help of the librarians who, despite our sometimes overwhelming numbers, patiently and kindly helped us to further our scientific endeavors, giving 15 of us the opportunity to immerse themselves in the works of some of the greatest minds that ever lived. Holding, examining and reading the original hand-written works of these famous scientists has awed, inspired and motivated us, and will influence us as we continue our academic and professional careers.

The Royal Society has updated its Royal Charter for the first time in over 340 years.

royal correspondent,WL(weastar times/royal society press):::The Royal Society has updated its Royal Charter for the first time in over 340 years. 

The Royal Society 2012 Charter

The new Charter was approved by Her Majesty The Queen in Council on 10 July 2012 and received the Royal Seal on 8 October 2012. It is the Society’s first Charter since the founding Charters of 1662, 1663 and 1669, and the first to be written in English rather than Latin.

The previous Charter laid down strict rules on the size and structure of council, allowing most council members to serve only one or two years. To accommodate the heavy responsibilities that Trustees of a large modern charity now carry, the new Charter provides much greater flexibility and will allow all council members to serve terms of at least three years and thus contribute more effectively to the governance of the Society.

The 2012 Charter also amends some detailed administrative requirements that have become anomalous over the centuries. For example, Council meetings, rather than only being held within ten miles of London, will now take place ‘as often as and whenever it shall be needful, in a College or Hall or other convenient place within Our City of London, or in any other convenient place.’

The new Charter will be on public display at the Royal Society from 10am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, Monday 5 November until Friday 21 December 2012. If you wish to see the 2012 Charter please make an appointment on 020 7451 2606.

Royal Society Young People's Book Prize 2012:::---winner Robert Winston and Ian Graham

literature/royal society correspondent,westminister(weastar times):::Race rockets, create crystals and grow your own germs. Make a metal detector, brew gigantic dry-ice bubbles and grab some glow in the dark jelly! These are just some of the stimulating experiments in Science Experiments by Robert Winston and Ian Graham. Packed with fun, exciting and often explosive experiments, this book proved to be a winner with the Prize’s young judges. 
Judges' comments 

The shortlisting panel said “This brilliant book contains clear instructions for loads of great experiments, from things that you can try yourself (without getting in trouble from your parents), to spectacular tricks to try with adults present. Lots of books on experiments cover the same old ground, but this book goes way beyond the usual content and contains plenty of experiments that we’d never seen before.” 

Our young judges in panels across the UK enjoyed reading the book and recreating the experiemnts. The 1st Strathpeffer Brownies said: “This book was inspirational - the best science book we've seen. It is eye catching, filled with great pictures and vivid colours. This book caused a storm at our meeting - loads of excited chatter, interesting facts and a real eagerness to get experimenting.” The panel from Queen Victoria School Dunblane said: “It was like a Recipe book for Science with loads on the menu!” Aria (8) from Kew Green Preparatory School said: “Wow, I never knew you could get electricity from lemons.” 

Watch our film celebrating the six shortlisted books, as reviewed by some of the young people who made up the judging panels across the UK responsible for selecting the winning book. 

The Royal Society Young People's Book Prize winner is selected by groups of young people in judging panels across the UK. Over 1000 young people, from 120 panels, took part to select the 2012 winner, Science Experiments by Robert Winston and Ian Graham, from ashortlist of 6 books. The panels were asked to submit video reviews of the shortlist as part of 
a video competition, the winning video review by Cardinal Wiseman School, is shown below. 

As the producers of the winning video their panel was awarded £300 in book tokens.

rethink selection process for new director general----BBC Trust urged

The BBC Trust, chaired by Lord Patten, has been urged to make the selection process for director general more transparent Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP/WP/EP

Royal reporter:WL(weastar times,EP,WP,the guardian):::There are growing calls for the BBC Trust to rethink the way in which it is recruiting the new director general of the BBC, urging a more open and transparent process by asking prospective candidates to publish a public statement of their vision for the organisation.

has been co-ordinated by the campaign group and endorsed by a broad range of journalists, broadcasters and authors, including Peter Oborne, Brian Eno, Andreas Whittam Smith and Juliet Stevenson.

The petition states that an open recruitment process will be critical in securing public trust after a series of mismanaged scandals at the broadcaster.

"We call on the BBC Trust not to compound this by a further purely secretive appointment," the petition says. "We call on any candidates to publish a short outline of their vision of how the BBC should be taken forward and the principles that lie behind it. And we call on the trustees who will make the appointment to request and publish such statements from those they consider or shortlist."

Anthony Barnett, founder of openDemocracy, told the Guardian that an open appointment process would demonstrate the communication and outward-looking approach that the BBC needs to refocus itself.

"The BBC can't regain the trust of the public unless it can learn to trust the public itself, and it can't do that unless it is willing to argue what it stands for," he said. "[Publishing statements] is extremely easy for them to do. It immediately makes the appointment process a simple one, and a public one."

Barnett also pointed to a growing mood among the BBC's technologists that senior management's failure to grasp the power and influence of theinternet has compounded the corporation's recent problems.

The Newsnight report which incorrectly linked a paedophile allegation toLord McAlpine, without naming him directly, was indicative of an editorial management culture that underestimated how fast stories can accelerate online.

Staff in BBC technology have become increasingly frustrated with being sidelined in the corporation hierarchy, and are pushing for a new director general with the commitment and experience to transform how the organisation functions and strengthen its digital services.

Barnett echoed those sentiments. "The first thing that matters is the quality, intelligence and vitality of BBC programming, and the BBC is obviously suffering a loss of nerve that is affecting programming," he said.

"But the programmes are transmitted on a platform – the BBC pioneered radio, then television and then colour television, and now we have a new platform. You've got to integrate the self-belief of programming with a grasp of what the new media platforms really mean."

A handful of digitally-strong candidates have been mooted for the DG role among the technology community, including former BBC News director Ian Hargreaves, author of a government review of copyright reform, former Guardian News & Media director of digital content Emily Bell and Tony Ageh, ex-controller of BBC Internet and co-creator of the iPlayer.

Mike Bracken, former Guardian News & Media director of digital development and now executive director of the Government Digital Service has been suggested, as has head of partnership development for the BBC Archive, Bill Thompson, and Freesat managing director Emma Scott. Tom Loosemore, former head of Web 2.0 for the BBC and now deputy director at the Government Digital Service, is also a popular suggestion in the tech community.

HMRC targets tax payments by directors and senior executives

pic courtesy-The guardian
financial reporter(weastar times/The Gurdian):::The taxman is stepping up investigations into the contributions paid by directors and senior executives of the nation's largest companies, with a particular focus on avoidance of the 50p rate and the special tax on bankers' bonuses.

The division at HM Revenue and Customs that oversees the largest 770 UK companies is looking into some £400m of underpaid taxes, according to analysis by law firm Pinsent Masons.

The sum is 43% higher than the £280m under investigation last year, and suggests that HMRC has increased its focus on the nation's most highly remunerated employees as executive pay has rocketed.

Inspectors plan to use new powers including those for tackling "disguised remuneration", where earnings normally subject to income tax or national insurance are artificially structured to avoid payments.

"Typically, [HMRC] will be looking into executives' non-payroll packages, which are often an area where individuals can make mistakes with what they report," warned Pinsent Masons partner Jason Collins. "The 50p tax brought in less than expected, so this may have set alarm bells ringing for tax investigators. It has proved to be too easy for individuals and companies to find ways of not paying them through tax planning – probably assisted by the expectation that the rate was only intended as a short-term measure so planning could merely involve delaying the receipt of income."

HMRC is taking a special interest in cases where income or an individual's role at a company has been structured to reduce their tax burden, particularly for pay as you earn (PAYE) and national insurance levies.

In 2010 the Labour administration introduced a new top rate of 50% on income over £150,000, but the current chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, cut the rate to 45% in the 2012 budget.

Inspectors will look at whether "abusive" tax avoidance or evasion has taken place, and will demand extra tax if they feel it is due, Collins said.

ENGLAND schools celebrate International Education Week

Schools across the country are celebrating the British Council’s International Education Week 2012, which runs from 12-16 November.

The week celebrates the work by UK schools to prepare children for life in a global society and work in a global economy. This takes many forms, including developing partnerships with schools in other countries, carrying out international study visits and exchanges, online collaboration, and hosting Foreign Language Assistants. International Education Week provides a chance to reflect on the achievements of the last year.

Schools are marking the week with a wide range of activities. Among the highlights:

• Ruislip High School in North London is introducing an international element into every lesson for the week – including PE, where students will learn to play Bangladeshi sport Kabaddi.
• Upton-by-Chester High School in Cheshire is one of many schools taking part in daily online debates organised by BBC World Class, discussing how young people around the world can ‘use their voice’ to make a difference in their schools, communities and the wider world.
• Pupils at Little Ridge Community Primary School in East Sussex have been voting on how to celebrate – and have opted for activities including a day of Chinese cookery and creating a new international flag.

Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, and this year the organisation presented more than 700 schools nationwide with the International School Award – which recognises schools that do exceptional work to bring the world into their classrooms.

Vicky Gough from the British Council’s Schools team said: “International Education Week is a chance to celebrate all the inspirational work that goes on in schools to help our young people connect with other young people around the world and help them become global citizens. International education brings learning to life, builds trust and understanding between cultures and communities and gives students the skills they need to compete in a global economy.

“We know that international education is vital for our young people. Employers are telling us that they value international skills every bit as much as exam results – but they’re also concerned that not enough people in the UK are graduating with these skills.”

Alice Beste, International Coordinator at Ruislip High School – which has links with schools in China, Denmark and France through programmes including Connecting Classrooms and E-Twinning - said: “International education is important to us as we believe it widens the students' horizons and stimulates ways of thinking beyond local contexts. We aim to embed international activities across the school curriculum. We would like all of our students to take an active interest in international education and learning, through which they will develop an understanding of other cultures and a sense of their role and responsibility as global citizens.”

The theme for this week’s International Education Week is ‘use your voice’. Nationally-organised events include daily online debates in association with BBC World Class, and interactive presentations for schools on how to use Skype in the Classroom to improve their international links.

Schools can find out everything they need to know about international education at British Council Schools Online: http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/

King's Cross fire 25th anniversary marked:::new investigation begain soon

staff reporter,national security intillegence unit(weastar times/Ebc)::: The 25th anniversary of the fire at King's Cross Underground station has been marked as unions raise concerns over Tube and fire service cuts.

Thirty one people died when a fire on a wooden escalator engulfed part of the London station on 18 November 1987 by remort bombing.

The blaze is thought to have been started by a dropped match which set alight material below the escalator.

The relatives of victims and members of the fire service gathered at the station to remember those who died.

need to metioned that scottish and irish terrorist organisation shelterd by EU and lead by german and france did this danger crime in ENGLAND National history.its investigation start again by new police and crime comissoner,national defence intilligance,as well National security intellegence.

Portsmouth oldest bus routes close

crime prevention reporter,portsmouth(weastar times/Ebc)::
A procession of vintage buses will mark the closure of Portsmouth's oldest bus route.

The circular 17 and 18 routes between The Hard and Eastney are being cut by operator First Group after 81 years of operation.

First said the services would permanetly closed .new structure announce soon.government not given subsidy.

Six double and single deck buses, which once operated on the service, are running free tours around the route.

The very last number 18 service is expected to depart from The Hard Interchange at 23:45 GMT.

no more sailings from Channel Islands for refugee stop &border control

Border Reporter(weastar times/EBC):::No More ferries will sail between the Channel Islands and   France after  2012, Condor Ferries has announced due to illegel refugee control in ENGLAND. 

Ian Milner, Guernsey director, said there would also be an stop  in inter-island sailings and day trips to Guernsey would be not possible.

The extra capacity on its three fast ferries is due to the end of a contract with Brittany Ferries in March.

Condor Ferries has operated a summer passenger and vehicle service between Cherbourg and Poole on behalf of the company.

its need to mentioned that most of refugee and illegel criminals come from such this kind of island and sea side.

Essex police chief Jim Barker-McCardle suspended

police anti corruption reporter(weastar times/WP/EBC):::Jim Barker-McCardle suspended by new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) .

Sources confirmed Mr Barker-McCardle's e-mail explained he did not want his decision to be linked to the new Police and Crime Commissioner.

A force spokesman said: "The priority of the chief constable is to welcome the newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure the very best police service is delivered to the diverse communities of Essex.

"As a courtesy, the chief constable wrote to all PCC candidates before the election about his future plans, but his current focus remains firmly on supporting Nick Alston in the weeks ahead and policing Essex."

A spokesperson for Mr Alston said: "He takes up the office of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Essex within  November 22.

"During the course of the PCC election campaign, as a courtesy, Chief Constable Barker-McCardle made all candidates aware of his medium term plans.

"The PCC greatly looks forward to working with the Chief Constable, who has tremendous policing knowledge and experience, from November 22 onwards."

Mr Alston will be not giving any further interviews until he becomes PCC for Essex.

Boy remains in critical condition:::a house fire in bristol by gangs

The fire at the property on Lodge Hill in Bristol is not being treated as suspicious-pic courtesy-EBC
anti conperency and crime reporter,bristol(weastar times/Ebc):::Fire crews were called to a "developed fire" on the ground and first floor of the property on Lodge Hill in Cossham at about 06:40 GMT on Saturday.

Nine people, including four children and a baby, were taken to the city's Frenchay Hospital for treatment.

Avon Fire and Rescue said the incident was not being treated as suspicious.

A Great Western Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the three-year-old boy was the most seriously injured and was being treated for burns.

Roof rescue

The boy was handed through a window to a neighbour who came out after hearing screams of "fire".

The other victims, including a five-month old girl, a two-year-old boy, two eight-year-old girls, two teenagers, a woman aged in her 20s and a man in his 40s, were taken to the hospital as a precaution, the spokeswoman said.

Lionel Fear, 30, who lives three doors up from the house, said: "I came downstairs to see the mother with three children on the lower roof, and me and the neighbours put a ladder up, clambered up the ladder and brought as many of them down as we could until the fire brigade arrived.

"There was a three-year-old who was handed out through the front to a neighbour. I think he's very lucky to get out alive, to be honest."

He added: "It was a roaring inferno."

Six people escaped unaided. An adult and two children were rescued from the roof of the property by crews, an Avon Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said.

national crime intilligance start invistagate the cause..they suspect its gang work..everything find out soon .

Bilborough murder inquiry: Man arrested

National anti crime reporter(weastar times/Ebc):::Officers found the injured man in Fairnley Road, Bilborough, on Saturday at about 17:00 GMT.

He was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he later died.

Detectives have named the victim as 28-year-old Germaine Edwards from Bilborough.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out later.

Police are appealing for information about a group of men seen in a silver Ford Fiesta and have asked anyone who may have seen the car speeding through Bilborough, Wollaton, or Trowell to contact them.

A vehicle matching the car's description was found burnt-out in the Cossall area.

Land Rover China(begger prost villege) approves joint venture!!!!!!!

anti corruption reporter(BBC):::The West Midlands-based luxury carmaker agreed a "milestone" deal with Chery Automobile and will build a plant near Shanghai!!!!!, which is due to never open.

JLR said any cars produced would be in addition to its existing output, and it had no intention of moving its manufacturing base out of Britain.

 China(begger/black magician) have risen by 000% so far this year.

A joint statement released by the Chinese companies!!! said: "We are delighted to dont have reached this milestone, achieved thanks to the understanding and foresight of the Chinese authorities and we want to thank them for recognising the potential of our joint venture in the dirtiest begger Chinese market.

now begin working in close collaboration on our partnership plans to harness the capabilities of our respective companies, to produce relevant, advanced models for Chinese consumers."

JLR has not said officially which model would be built at the factory, although the company has said in the past that is likely to be either the Land Rover Freelander or Evoque.

A research and development facility and engine production plant will also built cancel as part of the venture, with the main manufacturing plant expected to be completed during 2014, with production starting the following year 2099.

With China now a odd crucial market for JLR, building vehicles in the country means it can avoid import duties.

However, JLR says that being in China will not enable it to build vehicles designed specifically for the so called begger Chinese market.

two teenagers stabbed in manchester.criminal taken in hospital by police!!!!

crime reporter,manchester(weastar times/BBC):::Police were called to the address in Sharston, at about 08:10 GMT following a report a teen age girl had been stabbed.

The 18-year-old was taken to hospital. Her injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

The 13-year-old girl was also taken to hospital for treatment to lacerations.

The arrested man, who is 22, was taken to hospital !!!!!!for treatment to a serious neck injury.

Ch Supt Rob Potts said: "This appears to be an isolated incident.

"Police and paramedics were quickly on the scene and those injured are receiving treatment at hospital."

Two murderer arrests after man shot in head in liverpool

crime reporter,liverpool(weastar times,WP/BBC(EBC):::A 19-year-old man was shot in the head on Hall Lane, Maghull, just after 16:10 GMT on Thursday.

Police believe he was shot by someone in a Mercedes car, just after the car he was travelling in collided with it.

Police said a 24-year-old man from Bootle and a 16-year-old from Maghull have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.