European science conversations
by the community, for the community
How scientific choices need to be made, bearing in mind the effect it could have to society
The second Eurasian Women's Forum (EWF), which took place from September 19 to September 21, 2018, ended in St. Petersburg.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the plenary session of the forum. The head of state noted that it is necessary to Read more [...]
Nowadays there is a diffuse border between pure and applied mathematics. The pure mathematician – an atypical scientist inclined toward the abstract – – is capable of switching at any time to the role of applied mathematician in order to address and solve the pressing global issues that threaten humanity. From assisting manned space missions to modelling the processes of ice melting or the spread of an epidemic, the applied mathematician’s contributions are crucial for humankind. The confidence we have in the truths of applied mathematics, which – within the philosophy of science – is part of the so-called Wigner’s puzzle, is a kind of evolutionary feature of the discipline. Read more [...]
Maybe it was inevitable in hindsight, but the accumulation and monetization of human data is now an industry — a commodity — of its own. As the internet's precursor technologies were being refined, the directive against using it for profit was gradually Read more [...]
At the end of October the European Parliament approved EU’s plans to ban, by 2021, throwaway plastics, which make up over 70% of the marine litter. This is part of the newly launched EU’s plastics strategy and of speeding up global action on marine Read more [...]
Big data, AI, social media, the Internet of things and cybersecurity are transforming our work environments as well as our life as citizens and consumers but more than 56% of Europeans is still lacking the basic skills and competences to navigate effectively Read more [...]
"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest"
said Benjamin Franklin, to whom we owe the invention of the lightning rod and bifocals, among other things.
More than two centuries later, the American mathematician's observation could not Read more [...]
Are a Steve Jobs like digital guru or a Mr Bean of the digital world? Play iNerd to find out!
iNerd makes you explore your knowledge of four key areas of the digital world: big data and artificial intelligence, social media and Internet of Things. Read more [...]
This article reviews the Nobel history since inception which shows that the Prizes in science conferred on individuals in the first 50 years are shifting to the Prizes being shared. It is,in part, because the science has become more complex, collaborative, expansive, and expensive. With the critical need for teamwork to tackle Big Science, we recommend that the policy of “no more than three” sharing the Prize be loosened on case by case basis and the nomination be made open for scientific organisations. We also suggest concrete steps for improving the gender gap among the Nobel Laureates. This necessitates proactive nominations of Nobel worthy work done by women and making structural changes in Nobel committees toward better gender ratio. Finally, our analysis shows that the U.S. is emerging as a Nobel Super Power leading to a divide not only with European countries but the world at large. Read more [...]
Q: What would you do if you want to hide yourself from a ravenous predator?
A: I would disguise myself as a twig, leaf or even poop!
Caterpillars, soft and packed with proteins, know all the tricks of the trade to disguise themselves to avoid being eaten by predators such as birds. Read more [...]
Climate change poses a threat to archaeological heritage. However, archaeological heritage seldom appears in the IPCC-reports on climate change. There is an urgent need to connect archaeology with this phenomenon, according to scientists, as rising sea levels and the increase of extreme weather events pose a real threat. Measures have to be taken to protect vulnerable sites, which often are situated in coastal areas. The general public can help, as various projects along Europe’s coast show. Read more [...]
