http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:18:58 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Battery life decreases during in the cold. Some studies suggest 20-40% reduction, although in modern batteries this is only temporary. This is due the the atoms (or ions in the case of batteries) randomly moving at a slower pace. We must thus impart them with more energy to make them ... http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress/index.php/wintery-science-facts/ This week we're in Christmas mood and looking at the Science of the carious aspects of Christmas and Santa Claus. We will attempt to answer the following: -How can Santa get down the chimney? -How is Rudolf's nose red? -The logistics behind the day itself. -How can reindeer fly? Right, plenty of work ahead so ... http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress/index.php/the-science-of-christmas/ Some very exciting news via NewScientist that the first particle of dark matter has been discovered. We'll know on the 18th Dec - when a paper will be published in Nature, whether or not it's the one speculated will have to wait........... http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress/index.php/has-dark-matter-been-discovered/ A couple of favourites from college and friends working in Science (apologies in advance!) 2 Hydrogen atoms walk into a bar. 1 stops and says: "Oh no, I've lost my electron!" "Are you sure?" "Yes, I'm positive." A bacterium walks into a bar, and heads towards the barman. Barman: "Oi, no bacteria allowed in here." Bacterium: ... http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress/index.php/science-bar-jokes/ Interesting to see the LHC is back up and running in Switzerland. There was furore last time it was started, unfortunately it was put out of use for a number of months due to an accident. Having just smashed to particles together for the first time yesterday, there seems to be ... http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress/index.php/large-hadron-collider-is-alive-again/ Interesting article coming from a number of sources who say the Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has flown to Serbia to visit a housewife who claims to have magical healing powers by way of utilising fluid from a placenta to massage. Sources include the Irish Independent, The Daily Mail and other ... http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress/index.php/van-persie-and-his-serbian-witchdoctor/ Teleflex Medical design and deliver specialised instruments and devices to touch nearly every organ in the human body. With 1 well established Original Equipment Manufacture plant in Limerick (TFX OEM) and a newly announced plant being created in Athlone, this is a relatively low profile player in the Irish medical ... http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress/index.php/company-focus-telefelx-medical/ As Friday last (16th Oct) was officially the day Wyeth became Pfizer, we thought it presented the perfect opportunity to profile what is now one of Ireland's largest employers. An internet search for Wyeth will bring you to the new Pfizer page (link). Sites: Pfizer Newbridge -In their Newbridge facility, where we ... http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress/index.php/company-focus-pfizer/ Trinity Biotech plc is a public company (NASDAQ: TRIB) with manufacturing facilities in Bray, Ireland, Jamestown, New York and Carlsbad, California.The company specialises in the development, manufacture and marketing of diagnostic products which utilise immunoassay technologies. Trinity markets over 120 products through distributors in 80 countries. The company was formed in ... http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress/index.php/company-focus-trinity-biotech-bray/ Schering-Plough Corporation is a pharmaceutical company founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. In 1971, the Schering Corporation merged with Plough (founded by Memphis area entrepreneur Abe Plough in 1908) to form Schering Plough. In March 2007, Schering-Plough Corp. purchased Organon International, the pharmaceutical manufacturing ... http://scienceblog.ie/wordpress/index.php/company-focus-schering-plough/