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Review of The Violinist’s Thumb and Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius as Written by Our Genetic Code

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The Violinist’s Thumb and Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius as Written by Our Genetic Code by Sam Kean (Little, Brown, 416 pages, $25.99, July, 2012) Reviewed by Dr. Fred Bortz See other reviews archived at the Science Shelf Note: This review is the copyrighted property of Alfred B. Bortz. Individuals may print … Read more

Weekend Fun at SciFact Central

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Two months ago, I announced the beginning of a Facebook page to promote interest in science through Fun Facts. I call it SciFact Central. That page has evolved so that Monday is Science Joke and Riddle day, Tuesday is Space and Astronomy Day, and Friday is Person of Science and Technology Day. This weekend, I’ve … Read more

Fun with Science Facebook Page

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My new Facebook page SciFact Central is beginning to attract a following of adults and teens who enjoy “Fun Facts.” It is still a work in progress, though I have begun to develop a routine. Every Friday is People of Science and Technology Day. Every Monday has been Space and Astronomy Day, but I will … Read more

Opinion: Hostile Alien Invaders Are Unlikely

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Sorry Stephen Hawking, I agree with Jill Tarter. Hostile alien invaders are unlikely–at least not the kind envisioned in SciFi movies. I received the news release reproduced below and it reminded me of a book manuscript that I now have under consideration at a major publisher of books for young readers. That manuscript looks ahead … Read more

Great book about worms reissued in time for spring gardening

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Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill has just reissued a book that may give readers a not unwelcome taste for worms. Here is my review of the book from 2004. The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms by Amy Stewart (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, $12.95, 240 pages, reissued April, 2012) Review by Dr. … Read more

What do extreme weather events tell us about climate change?

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“Climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get.”

That famous quotation from science fiction great Robert A. Heinlein captures the difficulty climate scientists have when trying to share the science behind global warming to the general public through the media.

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