Science and public bibliography: May/June 2002
A monthly round-up of books, reports and articles collated by the Wellcome
Library's Information Service. Where freely available, web links have been
provided to the full text document. All the below references are publicly
available, for reference, in the Information Service,
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/infoserv , or from the British Library's Lending
Division via public, academic or workplace libraries.
As a last resort, the Wellcome Trust library operates a remote photocopying
service for articles difficult to obtain elsewhere. There is an escalating
charge depending on the number of pages copied. The minimum charge is £5
for copying 10 pages or less. Please contact the Information Service
enquiry desk on tel. no. 020-7611-8722 or email: [log in to unmask]
Books & Reports
Adam , P. Genesis II. London : Little, Brown and Co., 2001, 426 p., ISBN
0316857475
Subject headings: Genetically modified foods; Fiction; Art and science
Auburn, D. Proof : a play. New York : Faber and Faber, 2001, 82 p., ISBN
0571199976
Subject headings: Mathematics; Drama; Theater; Art and science
Djerassi, C. and Hoffmann, R. Oxygen : a play in two acts. Weinheim ; New
York : Wiley-VCH, 2001, 119 p., ISBN 3527304134
Subject headings: Chemistry; Drama; Theater; Art and science
Frayn, M. Copenhagen : a play in two acts. London : Samuel French, c2000,
c1998, 113 p., ISBN 0573627525
Subject headings: Physics; Drama; Theater; Art and science
Fukuyama, F. Our posthuman future : consequences of the biotechnology
revolution. New York : Farrarm Straus & Giroux, 2002, 256 p., ISBN
0374236437
Subject headings: Biotechnology - Social aspects; Science - Social aspects
Harris, S. and Arseculeratne, S. N. (ed.) At home with the Einsteins:
cartoons. Colombo, Sri Lanka : Karunaratne & Sons, c1996, 149 p., ISBN
9559098403
Subject headings: Science - Caricatures and cartoons; Communication in
science; Art and science
Kirkup, G. The gendered cyborg : a reader. London : Routledge in association
with the Open University, 2000, 333 p., ISBN 0415220904
Subject headings: Feminism; Science - Social aspects
Labinger, J. A. and Collins, H. The one culture? : a conversation about
science. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, c2001, 329 p., ISBN
0226467228
Subject headings: Science and state; Science - Social aspects; Science -
Philosophy
Lodge, D. Thinks... : a novel. London : Penguin, 2002, 342 p., ISBN
014100021X
Subject headings: Science; Fiction; Literature and science; Art and science
Lundin, S. and Akesson, L. Amalgamations : fusing technology and culture.
Lund : Nordic Academic Press, c1999, 137 p., ISBN 9189116070
Subject headings: Biomedical technology; Anthropology, Cultural; Science -
Social aspects
Macdonald, S. Behind the scenes at the Science Museum. Oxford : Berg, 2002,
293 p., ISBN 1859735665
Subject headings: Science museums; Great Britain
Mayne, M. Learning to dance. London : Darton Longman & Todd, 2001, 258 p.,
ISBN 0232524343
Subject headings: Religion and science
Mercurio , J. Bodies. London : Jonathan Cape, 2002, 348 p., ISBN 0224061976
Subject headings: Physicians; Fiction; Literature and science; Art and
science
Milloy, S. J. Junk science judo : self-defense against health scares &
scams. Washington, D.C. : Cato Institute, c2001, 216 p., ISBN 1930865120
Subject headings: Science - Social aspects; Science - Moral and ethical
aspects; Medicine
Pesic, P. Seeing double : shared identities in physics, philosophy, and
literature. Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press, c2002, 184 p., ISBN 0262162059
Subject headings: Science; Philosophy; Psychology; Science - Social aspects
Pickover, C. A. The paradox of God and the science of omniscience. New York,
N.Y. : Palgrave, 2002, 262 p., ISBN 0312294115
Subject headings: Religion and science
Plotkin, H. The imagined world made real : towards a natural science of
culture. London : Allen Lane, 2002, 301 p., ISBN 0713994088
Subject headings: Culture; Evolution; Science - Social aspects
Pontin, K. And Hawthorne, E. Museum Fever and Represent : lessons for
working with young people in museums. London : Resource, 2001? 26 leaves
Subject headings: Science museums
Prickett, S. Narrative, religion, and science : fundamentalism versus irony.
Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2002, 281 p., ISBN 0521811368
Subject headings: Religion and science; Literature and science
Rinaldo, P. N. Atheists, agnostics, and deists in America : a brief history.
Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. : DorPete Press, c2000, 184 p., ISBN 1890849030
Subject headings: Religion and science
Sklar, L. Theory and truth : philosophical critique within foundational
science. Oxford : Clarendon, 2000, 256 p., ISBN 0199251576
Subject headings: Science - Philosophy; Science - Social aspects
Sonnert, G. and Holton, G. Ivory bridges : connecting science and society.
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press, c2002, 227 p., ISBN 0262194716
Subject headings: Science - Social aspects, Science and state
Stannard, R. The God experiment : can science prove the existence of God?
Mahwah, N.J. : HiddenSpring, c2000, 248 p., ISBN 1587680076
Subject headings: Religion and science
Stansfield. W. D. Death of a rat : understandings and appreciations of
science. Amherst, N.Y. : Prometheus Books, 2000, 360 p., ISBN 1573928143
Subject headings: Animal experimentation; Science - Moral and ethical
aspects
Strahler, A. N. Science and earth history : the evolution/creation
controversy. Amherst, N.Y. : Prometheus Books, 1999, 552 p., ISBN 1573927171
Subject headings: Evolution; Creation; Religion and science
Weinberg, S. Facing up : science and its cultural adversaries. Cambridge,
Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2001, 283 p., ISBN 067400647X
Subject headings: Science; Physics; Science - Social aspects
Articles - Science & Public
Selling science to the young. Nature Vol.417, 2 May 2002 p.1
Falling interest in science among young people is of global concern but the
reasons behind the fall are well known. Science is universally acknowledged
to be a difficult subject with little room in the school curricula for
creativity and debate, and scientific careers are not seen as stable or
financially rewarding.
Brooks, M. Science's racist shame. New Scientist Vol.173, No.2333, 9 March
2002 pp.44-47
An interview with Elizabeth Rasekoala, a chemical engineer, who is concerned
that western science excludes black people. She runs science clubs across
Britain to teach black children and their parents how to break down the
doors of the scientific establishment. She is also continually lobbying the
government to do something about the issue.
Heller, C. From scientific risk to paysan savoir-faire: peasant expertise in
the French and global debate over GM crops. Science as Culture Vol.11, No.1
March 2002 pp.5-37
A study examining the shifting patterns in the French debate on genetically
modified organisms. Initially, when the debate was framed as a risk issue,
scientists were called in to evaluate the environmental and health hazards
associated with the technology. However, as the debate gradually became
defined as a 'food quality' issue, paysan expertise has become more
important.
Klintman, M. The genetically modified (GM) food labelling controversy.
Social Studies of Science Vol.32, No. 1, February 2002 pp.71-91
In the debate surrounding genetically modified food, there is much
controversy over whether, or how, GM food products should be labelled. This
paper examines the way both supporters and opponents of GM foods have used
these arguments to strengthen their respective causes. Examples are drawn
mainly from the US, with some comparisons being made with certain European
countries.
Mercer, D. Scientific method discourses in the construction of 'EMF science'
: interests, resources and rhetoric in submissions to a public enquiry.
Social Studies of Science Vol.32, No.2, April 2002 pp.205-233
This paper examines the role played by competing images of scientific method
in the strategies used by two of the main protagonists in an Australian
public inquiry held between 1990 and 1991 which investigated the effects of
exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF). The paper also considers the
way scientific method discourses can contribute to enhancing the durability
of knowledge claims in legal and regulatory settings.
Robins, R. The realness of risk : gene technology in Germany. Social Studies
of Science Vol.32, No.1, February 2002 pp.7-35
This paper examines the material relations of risk within a dispute in
Germany over the hazards of manufacturing human insulin using gene
technology, and the role played by the referent 'real risk' in the technical
performance of risk in that dispute.
Urquhart, F. More openness needed from scientists. Scotsman Business 27
April 2002 p.21
In a speech at Aberdeen's Macaulay Institute, Roy Anderson, Professor of
Infectious Disease Epidemiology at London University's Imperial College, has
warned that scientists must be more open and honest with the public in
future if they are to restore the trust that has been lost in the handling
of the BSE and foot and mouth epidemics.
Articles - Public Attitudes & Participation
Dissanayake, V.H.W., Simpson, R. and Jayasekara, R.W. Attitudes towards the
new genetic and assisted reproductive technologies in Sri Lanka: a
preliminary report. New Genetics and Society Vol.21, No.1, April 2002
pp.65-74
A survey of 36 Sri Lankan Medical Officers studying obstetrics and
gynaecology on the ethical and social aspects of new reproductive and
genetic technologies. The response to these new technologies was extremely
positive. Issues covered included genetic counselling, prenatal diagnosis
and therapeutic abortion, assisted reproduction, and the influence of ideas
about re-incarnation and fate.
Articles - Science Communication
Communicating about biotechnology. AgBioForum Vol.4, No.3-4, 2001
This special issue discusses how consumers form perceptions about new
technologies, such as agricultural biotechnology. Leading experts from
media, industry, and academia provide insights from the growing field of
risk analysis in order to shed light on the recent GM food debate.
http://www.agbioforum.org/
Media studies for scientists. Nature Vol.416, 4 April 2002 p.461
Due to its inherent uncertainties, science can be a hard subject to
translate to the public. The article argues that blaming 'sloppy'
journalism is too easy and if researchers are to make their points
effectively, they should learn more about how the media work. Many
grant-awarding bodies now promote media training for scientists.
Klotzko, A. Profile : Colin Blakemore. Scientist Vol.16, No.8, 15 April 2002
p.60
A profile of Colin Blakemore who is both a highly respected neuroscientist
and, according to the Royal Society, "one of Britain's most influential
communicators of science".
Lee, J. What's in a name? Biologist Vol.49, No.2, 2002 p.92
Professionals, such as doctors and scientists, often seem to use
unnecessarily complicated terms and jargon. Jargon can be used both
appropriately and inappropriately. It can be used to create feelings of
superiority or to 'sound good'. However, within scientific language there is
also a need for quick, accurate and specific ways of communicating
complicated ideas which often involves using jargon. Connecting with a wider
audience means learning to tread this fine line between perfect accuracy and
being understood.
Turney, J. What is this thing called science? New Scientist Vol.173,
No.2334, 16 March 2002 pp.46-47
Thomas Kuhn's essay, "The structure of scientific revolutions", is still at
the heart of science studies today. This article reviews a number of
important texts that discuss Kuhn's arguments about the nature of science
and examines the question of what science is and what scientists actually
do.
Articles - Science & Art
A body of language. New Scientist Vol.173, No.2335, 23 March 2002 pp.44-47
An interview with Gunther von Hagens, the German anatomist who created the
technique of 'plastination' as a means of preserving human bodies. The
bodies are part of his Body Worlds exhibition which is touring the world.
Although shocking to many, von Hagens does not believe that the exhibition
is gruesome. Rather, he considers it an important way of showing people
their own biology.
Artist or butcher? Observer 24 March 2002 p.9
Body Worlds, which opened in London in March, has attracted fury and acclaim
in equal measure for its depiction of anatomy as art. In this article, a
doctor and a critic pass judgement on the exhibition.
Guts for the masses. Science Vol.295, 29 March 2002 p.2359
Body Worlds, a travelling exhibition of skinned and preserved human bodies
in lifelike poses, opened its doors in London two weeks ago. The show is
the brainchild of Gunther von Hagens, an independent anatomist who developed
a "plastination" technique for preparing the specimens.
Cohen, C. Sciart : an evaluation. 2002
Sciart is an experimental initiative that funds collaborative projects
between artists and scientists. This report was commissioned by the Sciart
Consortium and is intended as an analysis of, and reflection upon, the
experiences of Sciart funded collaborations. The report is available online
via the Sciart website at http://www.sciart.org/site/ under Essays.
Gilchrist, J. Strength in numbers. Scotsman S2 30 April 2002 pp.8-9
A report on a collaborative project between two sisters, one an artist and
the other diagnosed with the muscle-weakening condition Dystrophia
myotonica, or DM, and two geneticists who are trying to find out more about
the condition. Between them, they have helped produce a book simply called
DM, which charts, in both text and pictures, a trip the group made to Canada
to meet other DM sufferers.
Henry, J. How Russell Crowe has made maths 'sexy'. TES (Times Educational
Supplement), No.4475, 5 April 2002 p.9
The Oscar-winning movie "A Beautiful Mind" has raised the profile of maths
and shown that it is not a subject only for boffins. Sue Sanders, president
of the Mathematics Association, has urged teachers to build on the image
boost that their subject has received as a result of the film.
Singh, S. Eureka! Independent on Sunday Arts 14 April 2002 p.6
Mathematician Simon Singh and psychologist Richard Wiseman are about to take
to the West End stage to present a science lecture double-act called Theatre
of Science. Singh got the idea from the once extremely popular lectures
given at the Royal Institution. During the 19th century, these lectures were
considered "a hot night out". Singh and Wiseman are hoping that by
presenting their lectures in a "funky, cosy, arty environment", they will
inspire a similar enthusiasm for their subject.
Articles - Science & Ethics
Moore, R. Science, law and the pursuit of knowledge. Journal of College
Science Teaching. Vol. XXXI, No. 6 March/April 2002 pp.356-358
A discussion of the similarities and differences between law and science.
While both disciplines rely on a search for the truth, the author argues
that in both cases, this search is sometimes restricted. In the case of the
law, these restrictions can help preserve citizens' freedoms and in science,
they can prevent unethical research being undertaken.
Articles - Science & Media
Press centre speaks up for the media shy. Nature Vol.416, 11 April 2002
pp.574-575
A new Science Media Centre has opened at the Royal Institution in London,
with the aim of helping working scientists to communicate their work to the
public. It plans to make available a 'science spokesperson' to provide
comment on controversial areas, such as the farming of genetically modified
crops.
Milmo, C. The appliance of science. Independent Review 28 May 2002 p.13
In a talk given at the Cheltenham Science Festival, the BBC's science
correspondent Pallab Ghosh has attacked scientists for their attempts to
control media coverage of science, particularly controversial issues such as
GM foods and cloning. He defends journalists' role in analysing the advances
in global science and, while he admits that the media are sometimes guilty
of getting it wrong, scientists are too ready to blame journalists for their
own communication failures.
Articles - Science Education
Life skills. Wellcome News No.30, Q1 2002 pp.12-13
A review of the Wellcome Trust's Citizenship Education in Science Stage 3
conference held in February 2002. The aim of the conference was to bring
together science and humanities teachers in a discussion about how the
ethical, legal and social implications of science can be taught in schools
as part of the new citizenship curriculum.
Cabacungan, C. and Kelly, S. The truth behind the tabloids. Science Scope
Vol.25, No.6 March 2002 pp.8-11
A science teacher and an English teacher share their study programme which
aims to provide students with the skills necessary to critically appraise
stories in the media and to test the truth of the information for
themselves, thereby becoming much more sophisticated "media consumers".
Cavanaugh, T. Science fiction and science education. Science Scope Vol.25,
No.6, March 2002 pp.64-69
Students tend to remember information more when it is presented in an
entertaining and enjoyable way. Cavanaugh has been using science fiction to
teach science for over 15 years. He believes that using science films and
literature in science teaching can motivate a much wider range of students
than can the traditional methods. It is also an effective way of teaching
advanced and abstract topics such as mutations, radiation, ethics and rocket
science.
Fitzner, K. Issue-oriented science. Science Scope Vol.25, No.6 March 2002
pp.16-18
By relating science concepts to current issues in the press, Fitzner
believes that it is possible to make connections between these concepts and
a student's personal environment, thus making science much more relevant and
easily understood.
Garkov, V. Is the American approach to science education the best in the
world? Journal of College Science Teaching. Vol. XXXI, No.6 March/April 2002
pp.399-401
Garkov compares the different approaches to science education between the
United States and Europe. He concludes that the less structured American
system, in which students are given the freedom to follow their own
inclinations, is the best way to study the sciences.
Jesky-Smith, R. Me, teach science? Science and Children Vol.39, No.6 March
2002 pp.26-30
In a survey of American preservice teachers, it was found that although most
teachers acknowledged the importance of science in the elementary grades and
that they had an interest in science themselves, they still felt insecure
about their own abilities to teach science. The results of the survey point
to the need for providing preservice teachers with greater science training
to increase their confidence levels.
Radhe, S. Star Trek physics. Science Scope Vol.25, No.6 March 2002 pp.52-57
In this imaginative article, Radhe likens science teaching to a journey in
Star Trek' s space ship Enterprise. If teachers constantly stretch their
students' thinking, a journey in science begins and the classroom is
transformed into an atmosphere of "What are the new possibilities?" rather
than the more traditional approach of simply asking "What do we have to do
now?"
Stewart, H. and Chudler, E. Neuroscience in the cinema. Science Scope
Vol.25, No.6, March 2002 pp.76-81
Seeing and discussing how the brain is presented in movies can be an
interesting, informative and dynamic way of learning about neuroscience. The
authors suggest a number of ways in which this can be done and their list of
films provides a good starting point from which to take the cinema of
neuroscience into the classroom.
Articles - Science Museums & Science Centres
Fears for jobs at troubled science centre as visitor numbers struggle.
Scotsman 11 May 2002 p.10
Officials are seeking £250,000 of savings for the Glasgow Science Centre due
to poor visitor numbers. This has led to staff becoming anxious about job
security, as they fear that up to 30 jobs could be cut.
Waldegrave returns. Research Fortnight 15 May 2002 p.5
William Waldegrave has been appointed as chair of the National Museum of
Science and Industry, which includes the Science Museum. As the
Conservative "chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster", Waldegrave was
responsible for the then newly formed Office of Science and Technology and
the 1993 white paper on science.
Dussek, N. Virtual reality. Museums Journal May 2002 pp.29-31
Many museums are trying to make the most of new technology to stimulate the
public's interest in their displays and exhibitions. This article examines
some of the techniques that are currently being used and looks at where the
designers of this new museum technology are getting their ideas from.
Fisher, S. The visitors and the visited. NewHeritage 02.02, 2002 pp.18-20
Qualitative research is becoming an essential tool for museums who want to
gain funding and maintain visitor numbers in an increasingly competitive
market. This article looks at the ways in which this research is being
conducted and uses several examples, including London's Science Museum, to
illustrate how useful the process can be.
Graham, J. The kids are all right. Museum Practice Issue 19, Vol.7, No.1,
2002 pp.43-47
There is often little in museums for the very young. However, a better
understanding of the nature of play can help museums successfully develop
exhibits that cater for the needs and interests of under-seven year olds.
Creating play opportunities can allow young children to play and explore
ideas creatively using the collections.
Morris, J. The nervous centres. Museums Journal May 2002 pp.12-13
There is concern that the growing number of science centres in the UK may
end up in financial difficulties if they do not receive any funding from the
government. Ecsite-UK, a network of science centres established in 2001, is
lobbying a number of government departments in an attempt to highlight
issue.
++++++++++++++++++
Louise Simon
Information Officer
Wellcome Trust Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine
183 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7611 7316
Fax: +44 (0)020 7611 8726
mailto:[log in to unmask]
The Wellcome Trust is a registered charity, no.210183.
Its sole Trustee is the Wellcome Trust Limited, a company
registered in England, no. 2711000, whose registered office
is 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE.
Have you visited psci-com, the searchable database of quality internet
resources on the public understanding of science? Click on
http://www.psci-com.org.uk
**********************************************************************
1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example,
send an email to [log in to unmask] with the following message:
set psci-com nomail
2. To resume email from the list, send the following message:
set psci-com mail
3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the message:
leave psci-com
4. Further information about the psci-com discussion list, including list archive,
can be found at the list web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html
5. The psci-com gateway to internet resources on science communication and science
and society can be found at http://psci-com.org.uk
**********************************************************************
|
