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National citizen science survey re-launched in bid to solve starling murmuration mystery
The national Starling Survey, which aims to solve the mystery of starling murmurations, is being re-launched today to build on the information gathered last year. The national Starling Survey, which aims to solve the mystery of starling murmurations,...
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To Dye For
Before the invention of synthetic dyes in the late 19th century, people relied heavily on plants to add colour to their world. Barbara Rush reports from a small corner of France dedicated to conserving these fascinating plants The Biologist 64(4)...
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Inside the killing jar
Why do entomologists kill so many insects? Professor Adam Hart discusses the ethics of entomology collections The Biologist 65(2) p26-29. Photos via NHM's Coleoptera Collection on Flickr. Standing in a back room of the Natural History Museum (NHM) in...
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Hatching a plan
Gary Hogben reports on efforts to protect leatherback turtle eggs in Costa Rica The Biologist 66(1) p14-17 It’s 3am. I am sitting in a small rain shelter, attached to a fenced enclosure, on the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica. The rain from a tropical...
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Focus On: SARS-CoV-2
Above: A 3D print of a spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 virus particle (courtesy NIH). The spike protein is the focus of efforts to find a vaccine. The Biologist looks at the latest scientific information on the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which...
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Winners of the RSB’s Outreach and Engagement Award 2020 announced
Two outstanding researchers have been recognised with this year’s RSB Outreach and Engagement Awards. Two outstanding researchers have been recognised with this year’s RSB Outreach and Engagement Awards. The RSB Outreach and Engagement Awards celebrate...
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Carol Monaghan MP joins the RSB to discuss science funding and the need for more scientists in politics
RSB members were joined by Carol Monaghan MP to discuss spending cuts, policy work, and the activity of the Science and Technology Select Committee, as part of the RSB’s Engaging with Parliament event series. This Engaging with Parliament session...
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"There'll be PhDs written on the psychology and politics of this topic"
A lack of research and old medical dogmas have caused deadly delays in public health bodies accepting that COVID-19 is being transmitted through the air, says aerosols expert Lidia Morawska 10th Nov 2020 Interview by Tom Ireland Professor Lidia...
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Working (a synchrotron) from home
Above: Professor Sir David Stuart. Image courtesy of Diamond Light Source. During the pandemic researchers have been operating the Diamond Light Source synchrotron remotely, running crucial COVID-related experiments on its beamlines from the comfort of...
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Member profiles: Anthrax, pregnancy and professional development
Our latest member profiles explore the working lives of PhD candidate Rhoda Aminu MRSB, reproductive immunologist Fiona Menzies MRSB, and biofilm researcher Fergus Watson MRSB These profiles appeared in the April / May issue 2020 issue of The Biologist...
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From Evidence to Art
Image: Sarcosaurus by Mark Witton Palaeoart is the term given to the striking and often controversial depictions of ancient creatures and ecosystems. We spoke to six palaeoartists about how they reconstruct ancient scenes and what a career as a...
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Policy Profile: Dr Laura Marshall MRSB
The RSB’s head of science policy looks ahead to a busy year This Q&A appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of The Biologist (Vol 68 No 1) Can you explain what you do at RSB? I’m responsible for strategy, implementation and delivery of science policy...
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Reports
Unearthing the buried soul: Homo naledi and the evolution of hominin mortuary practices 19 July 2021 How have awareness of mortality and the rituals associated with death and treatment of human remains evolved over time? Is modern Homo sapiens unique...
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Talking T Cells
Professor Sheena Cruickshank on how the unsung stars of the immune system protect us against variants of SARs-CoV-2 and are the target of new vaccines for COVID-19 and AIDS February 22nd 2022 Sheena Cruickshank is an immunologist and professor in...
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LGBT+ in STEM
The RSB is committed to supporting everyone within and through the biosciences. Celebrating Pride Month The RSB also marks Pride month by temporarily updating our logo across social media with a tribute to the progress pride flag, designed by Daniel...
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13 ways bioscience is helping fight climate change
October 4th Biologists have long been at the forefront of efforts to understand how a changing climate could impact life on Earth. But as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, bioscientists, together with colleagues in other fields, are now...
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A cultural phenomenon
Palaeontologist Darren Naish explains why the unscientific field of ‘cryptozoology’ can still tell us a lot about how humans see nature September 12th 2022 Bigfoot. Nessie. Yeti. Sea monsters. All terms mostly avoided by biologists, and all deemed...
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Policymakers and scientists come together for Parliamentary Links Day 2023
This year's Parliamentary Links Day was a huge success with a packed room at the House of Commons. MPs, representatives from scientific organisations and those related to parliamentary science policy convened to discuss science and economic...
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Killer Cultures
December 11th 2023 Amid reports of orcas attacking boats off the coast of Spain and Portugal, Hanne Strager looks at the amazing variety of killer whale cultures, including a pod that famously helped, not harmed, seafarers Over 100 years ago whalers in...
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Don't judge a scientist by their degree grade
A survey of Fellows of the Royal Society reveals many distinguished scientists might struggle to get a research post nowadays The Biologist 63(1) p7 Many people, for many reasons, have failed to get the grades they are capable of, or messed up their...
