Articles
Oscar-nominated Stephen Hawking film is timely given progress made in physicist’s field of research
As a film on Stephen Hawking contends for Oscar glory, scientists are pushing his work even further. So, has the universe lasted forever? Robert Matthews writes.
The truth about cat and dog-lovers
The pets we prefer reveal more about our personalities than we had previously thought, writes Robert Matthews.
Is our planet really as close to calamity as research suggests?
Lack of reliable data calls into doubt a warning that acidification of the oceans is killing marine life, and news that 2014 was the hottest year, writes Robert Matthews.
Is 2015 the year that the mysteries of dark matter and supersymmetry are solved?
Scientists are excited at the prospect of uncovering what the universe is made of. They are preparing to fire up the Large Hadron Collider to recreate cosmic energies from 14 billion years ago that could unravel the mystery, writes Robert Matthews
Fewer than one person in eight succeeds in achieving their new year resolutions, a study of 3,000 people shows.
Fewer than one person in eight succeeds in achieving their new year resolutions, a study of 3,000 people shows. And as the UAE is among the top five countries globally for obesity, Robert Matthews offers some tips on leading a healthier life in 2015
Quest to uncover a black hole
Using Einstein’s theory of gravity, Interstellar, Chris Nolan’s latest film, is giving scientists new insights into the appearance of these phenomena. An international team is now working to reveal the presence of one such object, writes Robert Matthews.
Too many cooks spoil the broth? Not for this smartphone app
Called Pyne, its developers describe it as a “social polling app” that allows anyone to put a question to the entire world (or, at least, those with the app).
How scientists hope a comet will give clues to life’s questions
Despite centuries of study, comets are among the most enigmatic denizens of the solar system. They are thought to be key players in the history of the Earth, and perhaps in the origin of life itself. This month, scientists will attempt the first soft landing on a comet, in search of answers to some of the world's biggest mysteries.
Sunrise promises a brighter future
The UAE has huge potential to diversify its power production by harvesting solar power. The biggest challenge is how to do it more efficiently, and that corner may be about to be turned with the harnessing of the little-known mineral type known as perovskites, Robert Matthews writes
Behaviour is often a no-brainer, say UAE scientists
The human brain is often described as the most complex system in the known universe. Predicting how it wil behave should therefore be a huge challenge.
Clean future energy in ammonia
UK scientists have revived a method to turn the compound of nitrogen and hydrogen into a cheap and safe fuel for everyday use. And by applying fuel-cell technology, they think that could transform how the world uses electric vehicles.
‘Electroceuticals’ could be the answer to treating diabetes
Earlier this month, a panel of experts recommended that the US Food and Drug Administration approve electroceuticals for use in treating obesity.
Life itself lies in the ‘law’ of knots
According to the author of the study, which is awaiting publication, the following stands true of Murphy’s Law of Knots: if something can get knotted, it will.
Universe theory turns to dust
The science of algorithms
Al Khwarizmi was one of the greatest minds of the Islamic Golden Age, keeping alive mathematical traditions dating back to the Greeks and adding many of his insights. Ironically, he is best known today as the person who gave his name to one of the hottest ideas in 21st-century business: algorithms.
