THE UK Astronomy Technology Centre, based at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, this week packed up the largest and most complex scientific instrument it has ever created, as The SCUBA-2 camera began its journey to the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope
(JCMT) in Hawaii. Rather than detecting visible light, SCUBA-2 will detect sub-millimetre radiation, which is sensitive to the heat emitted by extremely cold dust in the universe.
SCUBA-2 will arrive in Hawaii in mid-March and is due to begin initial science operations in the summer.
Walk the walkRESEARCHERS at Dundee University are looking for volunteers to help them discover how we walk. The Institute of Motion Analysis and Research is running ten different programmes to analyse the way people move their lower limbs and needs people to help with its research. The participants will take part in a variety of gentle exercises, including walking up and down a track and moving their ankles on a special machine. The researchers are looking for anyone who has not had lower limb surgery, between the ages of 18 and 65 and has an hour to spare.
Travel costs will be reimbursed and tea and coffee will be provide. All research projects have gained ethical approval from Dundee University and any information gathered will be treated in the strictest confidence. Call Karla Fretwell on 01382 496332 for details.
Year of the frogAS PART of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria's year of the frog, Edinburgh Zoo is holding a free talk on Wednesday 6 March during which its reptile keepers will speak about the plight facing amphibians and the vital role amphibians play in the ecosystem. Further events are planned for 31 May and 1 June, as part of the zoo's ongoing education campaign.
Science advisorsEIGHT new members were recently appointed to the Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC). They replace the members who stood down last year.
The SSAC is a group of experts from the science community who provide the Scottish Government with independent advice on science and the opportunities for Scotland's economy and society. The new SSAC members are: Professor Alan Bundy, professor of automated reasoning in the school of informatics at Edinburgh University; Professor Michael Ferguson, dean of research for the college of life sciences at Dundee University; Dr Karen Jervis, chief executive officer of NextGen Bio (UK) Ltd; Professor Jim McDonald, director of the institute for energy and environment; deputy principal of Strathclyde University; Professor Andy Porter, professor of biotechnology and deputy director of the institute of medical sciences at Aberdeen University; Ian Ritchie, non-executive chairman of Iomart, Scapa, CAS, Caspian Learning and the Interactive Design Institute; Professor Bob Tooze, managing director of Sasol Technology UK Ltd; and Professor Roland Wolf, the director of Dundee University's biomedical research centre.
Professor Anne Glover, the chief scientific adviser to the Scottish Government and co-chair of the SSAC, says: "The newly appointed members of the SSAC bring many years of experience from business and academia. They cover a broad range of expertise including life sciences, computing, the chemicals industry, and energy which will strengthen and complement the expertise of the existing committee."
The SSAC has 19 members (eight newly appointed, and 11 existing).
New nest boxesPUPILS from Tullibody's four primary schools, in Clackmannanshire, built new homes for birds during National Nest Box Week. Around 90 pupils from P3-5 at Abercromby, Banchory, St Bernadette's and St Serf's primary schools made the boxes in class, which were later erected at the Delph Woodland. Pupils from Alloa's Sunnyside Primary School made boxes for Greenfield Park. Guy Harewood, Clackmannanshire's biodiversity co-ordinator, says: "A nest box can give you great pleasure as you see wild birds set up home."
The full article contains 630 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
