Its time for a round-up of my favorites from 2011.

 Best of the year

1. Wired Magazine - still the reigning champion of interesting reads related to science and technology

2. The Scientist - almost disappeared in 2011 but was saved from the brink.  This broad-scope, very accessible, trade j… Read full post »

I'd like to make a shout-out on behalf of science-friendly independent bookstores.  Their staff-picks and overflowing shelves always house the latest and best in science topics and trends. You'll find the book you just read a review of in your favorite scientific journal, as well as a must-read… Read full post »

Science has managed yet another intersection with our everyday lives (and Aliquot loves these intersections).  More and more, research findings and fundings are becoming open-access, aka: transparent, available, and closer to society. 

Researchers have begun publishing the… Read full post »

Five Science Updates to help you understand current news headlines

1. RADIATION Between the anniversary of Chernobyl (only xxx years until we can return!), the radiation scare after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami,
… Read full post »

Many polls and studies have been done to assess how science is doing in society.  Most show a disappointing view of the success of science education, the perception of scientists, and commonly held beliefs about the ethical uses of science in technology.  But in recent years, many… Read full post »

Sure, this information will be useful for you as you enjoy tequila shots in celebration of Cinco de Mayo tonight, but in tribute to the upcoming release of The Hangover II film, as well as my own interest in this fascinating area of foodie-science (or rather, lushy-science), here are… Read full post »

As the Guardian Science blog’s debunking of Real Water’s false claims has reminded me this week, it is essential to seek out a skeptical, critical assessment of the things we read and take for granted every day.  Here are my favorite sites, which are doing a great public service by p… Read full post »

Throughout History, scientists have been martyrs, unsung heroes, toilers in the shadows, and mystical figures.  Often, their work has changed the way we think and affected society well beyond the laboratory.  Other times, their work has been followed by technological advances… Read full post »

In Boston, we're just starting to get balmy days when we can open the windows and air out our claustrophobic, winter-ridden homes.  The fresh air inspires deep cleaning: dusting under the bed, sorting stacks of magazines, donating old winter clothes to charity.  And most impo… Read full post »

Right now, around the world, museums are clamoring for patrons by hosting some of the most obscure, unusual and provocative exhibits.  Here is my round-up of the best related to science, on view right now.

1)      Health for Sale at Philadelphia M… Read full post »

Foraging is the newest food trend, possibly born out of a combination of 1) the economic downturn (and related increases in wallet-friendly comfort foods, food trucks, and healthy fast food), 2) the resurgence of the locavore movement, and 3) that extension of veganism -… Read full post »

2010 and the start of 2011 have brought many great books about science, from culinary science to stunning images of the brain, from the story of HeLa cells to the history of mind-altering drugs.  This list will get your Armchair Scientist bookshelf started (recommendations based on my own readin… Read full post »

Poop coffee - another innovative use for feces

image from Luwak Coffee

This is the reality of science today: a geologist doesn’t understand astronomy, a marine biologist doesn’t comprehend molecular biology or genetics, and a neuroscientist has a difficult time with physi… Read full post »

Much like the bumper sticker reading "stupid sticker" or the academic apparel reading "college", one might label the mass media coverage of science topics as simply "science news".  Where is all the in depth analysis and scientific probing into the recent mass deaths of birds and… Read full post »

I love looking at other people's workspaces: desks, lab benches, work benches, work tables, shelves, whatever.  I especially like to view photographs of the desks of famous minds.  Here are a few of my favorites - I hope you find some inspiration, as I do, from viewing them.

Einstein's desk… Read full post »

These days, science professionals and science-geeks in other professions are congregating in the evenings at a growing number of nerdy events – complete with wine and networking young city-dwellers.  Recently in Boston alone, several events have brought together those with an interest in s… Read full post »

We all have those days when we think to ourselves - this is nuts.  Or, that was crazy.  Or, I feel insane today.  Some of us do struggle with a clinical mental illness, treated or untreated.  Many of us will go our entire lifetimes without a psychiatrist or psychologist lab

… Read full post »

On September 17, 2009, I sat at my desk - a welcome break from the lab bench - and wrote my first post for Open Salon.  I asked the question: Why Science?

In the past year, I've attempted to answer this unanswerable question by exploring ideas that intersect with science… Read full post »

 This Saturday is World Water Monitoring Day, a day of citizen action to draw attention to the lack of safe, potable water in many parts of the world.

The International Water Association and other sponsors created this day to promote water safety and educate the publ… Read full post »

The Invasive Species Cookbook – Aliquot Edition

One of my fondest memories of my sister-in-law will always be a visit with her when we walked through the woods while she dutifully pulled out the invasive garlic mustard plant that was overtaking the forests. … Read full post »

Well, its been a bit of a hiatus for Aliquot.  This has been a typical summer for an academic scientist – conferences, grant writing, students to mentor…and a bit of vacation for myself.  I’m happy to be back on OS this week, catching up with the reading of some of my… Read full post »

Science News reports this week on a series of experiments that should be of great interest to bartenders and martini drinkers alike.  The scientific findings have implications for the flavor of vodka, and how those flavors differ if you’re sipping well vodka (and all its im… Read full post »

I saw the film Babies last night, with friends who are about to have a child.  We were mesmerized as we watched clips from the babies' first year of life - a baby girl in Japan, another in San Francisco, and baby boys in Namibia and Mongolia.  There were no dialogues,… Read full post »

This summer, why not pick up some fun children's books that entertain as well as provide valuable insight into science and the natural world?

Here are some of my favorites, as well as some great resources to look for additional titles:

The Magic School Bus series - this is an… Read full post »

 Today President Obama is giving a press conference and is expected to answer questions about the BP Oil Spill.  It is my hope that there will be questions posed to address the Science of the oil spill, specifically the criticisms that have been leveled against Obama for not treating this s… Read full post »