FEATURE The Science show’s Chris Creese talks to Cambridge conservation scientist, Andrew Balmford, on why there’s hope for saving the planet. The author of new book “Wild Hope” explains what ecosystems really do for us, and how we can help ourselves by helping the environment. Roger Frost shares how liquid cornflour mixed in water behaves like a solid, and may generate a new kind of body armour. And Chris shares how scientists discovered one of the building blocks of life near a young star 400 light years from Earth.
SCIENCE QUESTION Got allelopathy? Sounds scary, but it’s actually something plants do that can help you in your garden!
NEXT SHOW is on Saturday 22nd September at 2:30pm on Cambridge 105FM. For a reminder, follow us on twitter @105science Email your news and science questions to SCIENCE@cambridge105.co.uk
EVENT Want to meet the author of “Wild Hope”? Head to Topping & Company on Ely High Street Tuesday October 2. Tickets £5. Reception starts at 7 pm, book signing at 7.30 pm
LINKS
o Check your book store for Andrew Balmford’s book, “Wild Hope: On the Front Lines of Conservation Success” http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Hope-Front-Conservation-Success/dp/0226035972
o Use plant “allelopathy” to your advantage and plant these companion planting combinations in your garden http://www.wikihow.com/Companion-Plant
o Watch this youtube demonstration of the peculiar properties of
cornflour http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SRl-SGTatM
o For the science behind cornflour read Waitukaitis and Jaeger’s July Nature article http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v487/n7406/full/nature11187.html
o Sugar similar to what we use in tea was discovered around a new star. Learn how Jørgensen and colleagues found it, and what it could mean for life on other planets http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1234/
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