21 posts · 26,119 views
An Imperial College London Science Communicator, random science blog writer and all round social media junkie...
B Good Science
21 posts
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- September 20, 2011
- 01:44 PM
- 814 views
Genetic basis of lazy eyes uncovered
by Ben Good in B Good Science
The underlying gene responsible for crossed or lazy eyes has been discovered. The condition, scientifically known as strabismus, affects 1 in 20 children and typically the first symptoms will be seen between the ages of 1 and 4. Whilst it had previously been observed to run in families the genetic factors responsible were unknown until [...]... Read more »
Tischfield MA, Baris HN, Wu C, Rudolph G, Van Maldergem L, He W, Chan WM, Andrews C, Demer JL, Robertson RL.... (2010) Human TUBB3 mutations perturb microtubule dynamics, kinesin interactions, and axon guidance. Cell, 140(1), 74-87. PMID: 20074521
- July 20, 2011
- 06:04 AM
- 2,072 views
Autotune the Abstract: Singing in the Brain
by Ben Good in B Good Science
As a science communication student I find myself constantly coming across new and different ways people try and get across scientific data and knowledge. It can range from typical things such as news articles and blog posts to knitted representations of science. Whilst some of the crazy ways people try and get out their research may [...]... Read more »
Schlaug, G. (2009) Singing in the brain: Professional singers, occasional singers, and out-of-tune singers. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 126(4), 2277. DOI: 10.1121/1.3249331
- July 11, 2011
- 10:04 AM
- 3,112 views
Scientists Engineer E.Coli to Produce Key Precursor of Spandex
by Ben Good in B Good Science
Scientists from the company Genomica have genetically engineered E.Coli to produce 1,4-Butanediol (BDO), a key chemical in the production of Spandex, clothing of choice for superheroes, glam rockers and 80′s disco enthusiasts. The work, published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, has the potential to drastically change the way BDO is produced. Currently one million metric [...]... Read more »
Yim H, Haselbeck R, Niu W, Pujol-Baxley C, Burgard A, Boldt J, Khandurina J, Trawick JD, Osterhout RE, Stephen R.... (2011) Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for direct production of 1,4-butanediol. Nature chemical biology, 7(7), 445-52. PMID: 21602812
- July 1, 2011
- 11:49 AM
- 509 views
And the Oscar goes to…Science!?
by Ben Good in B Good Science
Hollywood has never had a particularly good reputation for scientific accuracy. However, recently its science acumen has received a boost. It is currently the first time that the ‘reigning’ best actor and actress have been both been scientifically published. Colin Firth, has taken time out from swimming in country lakes and stuttering to co-author a [...]... Read more »
Baird AA, Kagan J, Gaudette T, Walz KA, Hershlag N, & Boas DA. (2002) Frontal lobe activation during object permanence: data from near-infrared spectroscopy. NeuroImage, 16(4), 1120-5. PMID: 12202098
Kanai R, Feilden T, Firth C, & Rees G. (2011) Political orientations are correlated with brain structure in young adults. Current biology : CB, 21(8), 677-80. PMID: 21474316
- June 23, 2011
- 11:00 AM
- 951 views
Reiki is practiced in an NHS breast cancer ward
by Ben Good in B Good Science
In the foothills of Mount Kurama a man meditates. He has been there for 21 days. Suddenly, he has a revelation. From this quiet beginning in 1922 the practice of reiki was born. Since then, it has evolved and found itself keeping company with treatments such as homeopathy and acupuncture in modern complementary medicine. … Read more... Read more »
Lee MS, Pittler MH, & Ernst E. (2008) Effects of reiki in clinical practice: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. International journal of clinical practice, 62(6), 947-54. PMID: 18410352
- June 23, 2011
- 11:00 AM
- 664 views
Reiki is practised in an NHS breast cancer ward
by Ben Good in B Good Science
In the foothills of Mount Kurama a man meditates. He has been there for 21 days. Suddenly, he has a revelation. From this quiet beginning in 1922 the practice of reiki was born. Since then, it has evolved and found itself keeping company with treatments such as homeopathy and acupuncture in modern complementary medicine. [...]... Read more »
Lee MS, Pittler MH, & Ernst E. (2008) Effects of reiki in clinical practice: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. International journal of clinical practice, 62(6), 947-54. PMID: 18410352
- June 13, 2011
- 06:06 AM
- 525 views
Scientists show the evolution of the Amphitheatre
by Ben Good in B Good Science
Back before the internet, twitter and megaphones it was a great deal more difficult to get your voice heard. However, those clever Greeks and Romans had a way of using the science of acoustics to get their message out. They constructed great amphitheatres which seated thousands. An example of which is the image below I … Read more... Read more »
CHOURMOUZIADOU, K., & KANG, J. (2008) Acoustic evolution of ancient Greek and Roman theatres. Applied Acoustics, 69(6), 514-529. DOI: 10.1016/j.apacoust.2006.12.009
- June 10, 2011
- 09:22 AM
- 567 views
New Research Idicates How OCD Behaviours Are Formed
by Ben Good in B Good Science
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating condition affecting millions everyday. It is estimated that, in the UK, 2% of people aged between 18 and 56 suffer from some form of obsessive compulsive behaviour. Despite this widespread occurrence, however, there is much we do not know about the condition. Historically, OCD has been dismissed as … Read more... Read more »
Gillan CM, Papmeyer M, Morein-Zamir S, Sahakian BJ, Fineberg NA, Robbins TW, & de Wit S. (2011) Disruption in the Balance Between Goal-Directed Behavior and Habit Learning in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The American journal of psychiatry. PMID: 21572165
- May 17, 2011
- 09:07 AM
- 1,167 views
Scientists show you can’t get drunk by placing your feet in Vodka
by Ben Good in B Good Science
Scientists have tested the old Danish myth that it is possible to get drunk by submerging your feet in alcohol. Their results, indicate that unfortunately a Fosters footbath is unlikely to become the new way to consume your drinks. The selfless scientists from the Department of Cardiology at Hillerød Hospital became the test subjects (Figure 1), declaring … Read more... Read more »
Hansen CS, Faerch LH, & Kristensen PL. (2010) Testing the validity of the Danish urban myth that alcohol can be absorbed through feet: open labelled self experimental study. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). PMID: 21156749
- April 27, 2011
- 08:51 AM
- 1,185 views
Beer Bottle Full or Empty: Which is Best as a Weapon?
by Ben Good in B Good Science
It’s a question that I am sure many of you have asked yourself. If that angry looking person over there decided to hit me over the head with a bottle, would it be better if it were finished or full? Well thankfully a research paper has the answer and contains my ‘Research Quote of the … Read more... Read more »
Bolliger, S., Ross, S., Oesterhelweg, L., Thali, M., & Kneubuehl, B. (2009) Are full or empty beer bottles sturdier and does their fracture-threshold suffice to break the human skull?. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 16(3), 138-142. DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2008.07.013
- April 20, 2011
- 06:10 AM
- 1,148 views
Research Quote of the Week: Alcohol, Nudity & Himalayan Bears
by Ben Good in B Good Science
As a bit of a new theme I am going to each week post up an odd or fascinating quote from a peer reviewed research article. I hope that this will show how awesome science can be and publicise research is not in mainstream consciousness. This week the quote is: “We had no logical explanation for the … Read more... Read more »
Mihailovic Z, Savic S, Damjanjuk I, Stanojevic A, & Milosevic M. (2011) A Case of a Fatal Himalayan Black Bear Attack in the Zoo. Journal of forensic sciences. PMID: 21361947
- April 11, 2011
- 12:07 PM
- 1,404 views
Science’s Search For Secret Of Heat Resistant Chocolate
by Ben Good in B Good Science
Science, it seeks to solve some of the biggest problems facing humanity. It tries to understand the nature of life, cure cancer and save the planet. However, now it seems to be dealing with THE big issue facing society, increasing the melting point of chocolate! We’ve all been there, you hold a toffee crisp (or whatever happens to … Read more... Read more »
Terri A. Stortz . (2011) Heat resistant chocolate . Trends in Food Science . info:/10.1016/j.tifs.2011.02.001
Maheshwari, B., & Yella Reddy, S. (2005) Application of kokum (Garcinia indica) fat as cocoa butter improver in chocolate. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 85(1), 135-140. DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.1967
Ogunwolu, S., & Jayeola, C. (2006) Development of non-conventional thermo-resistant chocolate for the tropics. British Food Journal, 108(6), 451-455. DOI: 10.1108/00070700610668423
- April 4, 2011
- 08:33 AM
- 1,011 views
Life’s a Game: Video Games as a Model for Behaviour
by Ben Good in B Good Science
Crouching amongst the wreckage of an apartment block I look through a shattered window and see an enemy running and trying to find a place to hide. I pick up my Intervention M-200, take a breath, get his head lined up in the cross hair and pull the trigger. I have at various points in my life … Read more... Read more »
Kozlov MD, & Johansen MK. (2010) Real behavior in virtual environments: psychology experiments in a simple virtual-reality paradigm using video games. Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking, 13(6), 711-4. PMID: 21142998
Darley, J., & Batson, C. (1973) "From Jerusalem to Jericho": A study of situational and dispositional variables in helping behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 27(1), 100-108. DOI: 10.1037/h0034449
Slater M, Antley A, Davison A, Swapp D, Guger C, Barker C, Pistrang N, & Sanchez-Vives MV. (2006) A virtual reprise of the Stanley Milgram obedience experiments. PloS one. PMID: 17183667
- April 1, 2011
- 06:54 AM
- 1,276 views
April Fools Day - Genetic Mutation Found to Cause Cannibalistic Urges in Bacteria
by Ben Good in B Good Science
New research published today in the Annals of Victus Mortuus describes a very unusual genetic mutation in Staphylococcus Rabia that results in a stark behaviour change. When the mutation was introduced the bacteria showed several changes in characteristics, including the following: Lack of fluidity of movement Spontaneous loss of soma No response to dangerous stimuli Change in … Read more... Read more »
GA Romero, D Boyle, E Wright. (2011) Missense mutation in Staphylococcus Rabia (Δ28DL) resulting behavioural changes. Annals of Victus Mortuus. info:/
- March 10, 2011
- 02:02 PM
- 1,162 views
Science of Dating: Topics of Conversation
by Ben Good in B Good Science
So, your attempts at chat-up lines have gone well (the topic of the first post in this theme) and you have gotten yourself a date. But what now? What do you talk about? Well it appears science has the answer to that too! An investigation conducted at the Edinburugh Science Festival by psychologists James Houran, … Read more... Read more »
Fraley, B., & Aron, A. (2004) The effect of a shared humorous experience on closeness in initial encounters. Personal Relationships, 11(1), 61-78. DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2004.00071.x
- March 8, 2011
- 10:11 AM
- 1,190 views
The Science of Dating: Pick-Up Lines
by Ben Good in B Good Science
As a bit of a break from my usual blogging routine, this weeks blogs will all be on a theme. The science of dating, moving from pick-up lines through to the biochemistry of long term relationships. I will go through the staggering amount of research in this area and attempt to find out if you can use … Read more... Read more »
BALE, C., MORRISON, R., & CARYL, P. (2006) Chat-up lines as male sexual displays. Personality and Individual Differences, 40(4), 655-664. DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2005.07.016
Kleinke, C., Meeker, F., & Staneski, R. (1986) Preference for opening lines: Comparing ratings by men and women. Sex Roles, 15(11-12), 585-600. DOI: 10.1007/BF00288216
- February 28, 2011
- 10:17 AM
- 1,643 views
Mirror, Mirror on my Facebook Wall: Facebook Shown to Boost Self-Esteem
by Ben Good in B Good Science
Is my profile picture the fairest of them all? As a phenomena Facebook is still fairly new and its impact sociologically and psychologically remains to be completely understood. However, a new study has shone a little bit of light into this still cloudy area, claiming that looking at your Facebook profile page boosts your self-esteem. … Read more... Read more »
Gonzales AL, & Hancock JT. (2011) Mirror, Mirror on my Facebook Wall: Effects of Exposure to Facebook on Self-Esteem. Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking, 14(1-2), 79-83. PMID: 21329447
- February 25, 2011
- 06:58 AM
- 1,063 views
Neuroscience Cases: The Man Who Could Not Forget
by Ben Good in B Good Science
How many times have you been sat revising for an exam wishing that you had the power of a perfect instantaneous memory? Well, for a tiny number of people that isn’t just a pipe dream. Known as mnemonists these individuals have unfathomable memories and data recall. This is the story of one of the first … Read more... Read more »
Yaro C, & Ward J. (2007) Searching for Shereshevskii: what is superior about the memory of synaesthetes?. Quarterly journal of experimental psychology (2006), 60(5), 681-95. PMID: 17455076
Alexander Luria. (1988) The Mind of a Mnemonist: A Little Book About a Vast Memory (reprint). PsycCRITIQUES, 33(3). DOI: 10.1037/025559
- February 19, 2011
- 12:54 PM
- 1,198 views
“What a tuuune!” – A Scientifically Good Song
by Ben Good in B Good Science
It’s a Saturday night, you are about to hit the town. There are many things that can affect how good the impending night out is going to be, the quality of the company, amount of alcohol consumed, making it home with all your possessions. The music also obviously plays a key part in the night and scientists have … Read more... Read more »
Salimpoor VN, Benovoy M, Longo G, Cooperstock JR, & Zatorre RJ. (2009) The rewarding aspects of music listening are related to degree of emotional arousal. PloS one, 4(10). PMID: 19834599
Salimpoor VN, Benovoy M, Larcher K, Dagher A, & Zatorre RJ. (2011) Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature neuroscience, 14(2), 257-62. PMID: 21217764
- February 14, 2011
- 02:46 PM
- 1,492 views
‘You had me at hello’ – Love at First Sight
by Ben Good in B Good Science
Valentine’s day is upon us. With love hearts adorning every shop window, radio stations playing non-stop love songs and an army of loved up teddy bears invading homes there is never a better time to look at the science of love. A recent meta-analysis has indicated that falling in love can take a little as … Read more... Read more »
Ortigue S, Bianchi-Demicheli F, Patel N, Frum C, & Lewis JW. (2010) Neuroimaging of love: fMRI meta-analysis evidence toward new perspectives in sexual medicine. The journal of sexual medicine, 7(11), 3541-52. PMID: 20807326
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