Science Spin November 2006

The numbers taking science at secondary school are dropping and this is a worry to the educational authorities, as well as Irish industry. In this issue, Danielle Barron examines the issues involved. There are also features on the evolution of birds from dinosaurs, the shaking of Irish groundwater by distant seismic events, research into some potential crops of the future, the demotion of pluto from its planet status, and a display in Dublin of endangered crystal creatures, and more. Enjoy your reading.

Features in this issue

• Birds: The Last of the Dinosaurs [Palaeontology ]
• Why are students not taking science? [Education ]
• Endangered 'Crystal Creatures' go on Display [Scientific Heritage ]
• Tsunami shock wave shook Irish groundwater [Earth Science ]
• Crops of the Future: UCD sows the seeds [Plant Science ]
• The Colours of Eve [RDS Young Science Writers Essay ]
• Pluto loses its planet status [Planetary Science ]
• Bacteria link to Cystic Fibrosis [Genetic Disease ]