The Lounge

What does everyone think is the best science related job out there? Anybody got any ideas?

Can someone explain what gel electrophoresis is and the process? Thanks in advance!

Which country does everybody think is the most dangerous for foreign workers to go to for work? I specifically interested in hearing peoples opinions particularly in regards to countries which are wanting foreign workers to come to their country and have many jobs specifically for foreigners. What does everyone think?

Hi everybody! I am wondering whether anybody here knows whether the places where Aurora Australis/Borealis occurs are popular tourist attraction sites? Anybody know? Thanks!

AWESOME movie. I am going to be a pirate when i grow up.

That's very simple. I am not looking for any recognition or patent. The poor countries are those affected by too hot weather. Too hot weather means too harsh conditions and no water. Harsh conditions and lack of water means poverty. So the solution is to cool down the hot areas with giant space mirrors. This will bring to them the same amount of water and richness you see in the western world. Yes, giant space mirrors is the solution, what are they waiting for??

This is what is IMO, a very well done economic video. These actors have done several videos. What do you all think of it?

Our very own Swansont's blog called Swans on Tea is featured in this months Physics World, the magazine of the Institute of Physics. Well done Tom.

If life was 100% fair would it make this world a better place? In what ways would attaining fairness be desirable and in what ways would it not?

My nephew brought to my attention that he gets electric shocks when climbs off his trampoline. This is new knowledge to me as I would have thought the metal frame and metal springs would automatically discharge the static to the ground as it was created by him slightly rubbing his feet against the fabric with each jump. Is it wearing shoes that causes the static around his built up around his body to be isolated from the trampoline preventing it being discharged through it...would bare feet negate it? I'm interested in the physics and also by what method/equipment it can be avoided or reduced.

Which is more radioactive: A nuclear plant or a coal plant? Interesting little article on the little know health risks of coal power pollution, perhaps germany should take a look at this.

The past fifty years have seen many remarkable advances in medicine, physics, biology, and chemistry. What advances would you like to see in the coming half-century? Here's my list: Psychiatry. The rise of psychiatric medications seemed miraculous at the time, but it's now clear they're not as powerful as one might hope, and alternative treatments still have not gained widespread traction or huge success. I'd like to see a society in fifty years where far fewer people struggle with chronic mental illness, and where those with problems can get effective treatment. Medicine. Now that we're not all dying of bacterial infections, I hope we can develop new tools t…

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/offbeat/9712735/ufo-mothership-visits-london/

If you were offered citizenship of any one country in the world, which would you pick?

I am almost done with my first year at college, and I was wondering what do most college students do in the summer? It is a 4 months long, which is a long period of time. I have thought about entering a gym for sports activities rather than taking the beach and spending all my time with my friends"Like I used to do" - also taking some summer classes that keeps my mind active - reading a book my professor adviced regarding my major is interesting - I'm also also thinking of getting a driving license. Actually, What do most students do during the summer ?

A TechTV story this morning was about whether or not air bags should be placed on airplanes. Currently, only 3 airlines have planes with airbags and they only have them in the front where the person could hit their head on a wall. If the U.S. were to require air bags on planes, it would cost about $100,000 PER PLANE! What do you think?

When will petroleum engineers become redundant due to low oil recovery because of depleting amounts of oil throughout the world? At what year will getting a degree in petroleum engineering be not worth it? A close friend of mine is interested in become a petroleum engineer and I am asking here because I am curious too, if anyone knows or has any ideas...

I was looking at some of the plates from Robert Hooke's Micrographia today, and thinking about how beautiful some of the imaging in science is. I really enjoy Hooke's drawings--The Flea is really worth a look. I also like the Mandelbrot set (who doesn't? I know I'm unoriginal.) So I was wondering, inspired by the Book Talk forum, what are some of your favorite images from science? Photos, drawings, figures, x-rays? I'll bet there are some great ones.

Here in Germany the word corruption is strictly used for bribe. Though in the IT world it is common to say "corrupted file", and I'm asking myself how the definition of this word started? I've looked the word up and I've read about bribe and morally rotten, now I'm wondering does the "moral" part in that word play a huge role? If yes, then maybe, saying "corrupted file" is not correct?

Thought some of you might be interested in this. Darwin's personal library is being put online. Here's a link.

Basically the question I asked myself was : Where did the concept/idea / shape etc.. of the flying saucer originally come from ( in popular culture )i.e. did we first see them in the sky (as per the Keith Arnold sighting in 1947) ? [we also seem to assume that because of their aerial performance capabilities that they must come from space and be of extra terrestrial origin - They could actually be from earth and simply be new technology [black technology being tested by governments - and there is much that they don't want us to know - this idea already has great credibility ]. I don't necessarily hold with the idea that UFOs/saucers are actually extra or int…

This is so awesome I had to share it, fantastic RC Star Ship Enterprise video!

Did you observe the total lunar eclipse? It was amazing! What do you say?

Does anyone know if you can get flamabel gases in a ball mill, milling Platinum and Gold

Which foreign language is most beneficial to learn for an Australian? Are there any Australians on SFN (I think I've only ever spotted two )? Anybody got an ideas? If you could learn any language in the world which language would it be?