探测到外星文明的电波的几率
by Yan on 8月 4, 2007
这篇文章的作者认为，探测到外星文明的电波的几率可以计算。
Although it might not be self-evident, it is in fact entirely possible to calculate the probability of detecting alien radio signals by understanding what types of extraterrestrial radio emissions can be expected and what properties these emissions can have. Using the Drake equation as the obvious starting point, and logically identifying and enumerating constraints of interstellar radio communications can yield the probability of detecting a genuine alien radio signal.
谁能解释为啥外星文明也一定会使用电波呢？它们可能和我们地球上的生命形式完全不一样呢。
在这个视频里可以看到如何用柠檬，镀锌的钉子，以及铜币做电池；如何用四个柠檬点亮一支发光二极管；如何用两个两只柠檬驱动一个计算器。
视频的作者是 Hila Science Camp，这里有制作柠檬电池图解说明，看到早有人把它翻译成中文了。
很有意思的激发孩子们对科学的兴趣的材料吧，相关的还有一个用醋做电池的视频演示。
Hila Science Camp 网站上还有不少其它科普项目和视频资料。
PhysicsWeb.org 变成了 PhysicsWorld.com
by Yan on 8月 3, 2007
我最喜欢的物理新闻网站 PhysicsWeb，改名为 PhysicsWorld 了。
Physicsworld.com — the new name and new look for physicsweb.org, launching on Monday 30 July, physicsworld.com is the new name for physicsweb.org, brought to you by the publishers of Physics World magazine. Daily news remains the centrepiece of the site, but there will be new features too. Apart from a clean, new look, physicsworld.com will have space for in-depth features, facilities to let you comment on stories you’ve read, as well as access to a digital version of Physics World magazine for all members of the Institute of Physics. The site also has a revamped jobs portal, with access to careers services from the Institute…
这样子与它出版的杂志同名了。由 org 变为 com 是否意味着某种转型？
虚拟世界的科学研究潜力
by Yan on 8月 2, 2007
Science 上一篇文章：The Scientific Research Potential of Virtual Worlds。via：姬十三
Online virtual worlds, electronic environments where people can work and interact in a somewhat realistic manner, have great potential as sites for research in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences, as well as in human-centered computer science. This article uses Second Life and World of Warcraft as two very different examples of current virtual worlds that foreshadow future developments, introducing a number of research methodologies that scientists are now exploring, including formal experimentation, observational ethnography, and quantitative analysis of economic markets or social networks.
听起来挺有趣的。记忆中，已经有过不少以社会性软件为对象的研究论文了。自己做一个网站，然后以它的统计数据来发表研究论文，这似乎挺酷的。
一个相关的信息，也许有人还不知道：如果想在 second life 上做一点科学相关的探索，可以联系自然出版社，他们可以给你一点 second life 的土地。说明在这里。
简单的演示，效果还是很炫的。容器里的气体是六氟化硫，无色又很重。via：Living the Scientific Life.
最近，大家似乎都没有心思写严肃的 blog，就贴点轻松的吧。