Tuesday 13th February

Aperiodicity & order - the forbidden beauty of quasicrystals

Uwe Grimm

A perfect crystals is the paradigm of order in nature. The beautifully regular facets of a diamond crystal reflect the arrangements of the atoms within. In a conventional crystal, the arrangement of atoms is based on a single motif, which the crystal repeats periodically - like a brick wall made of many identically shaped bricks.

The list of possible crystal structures has been known for over a century. So it was a big surprise when, in 1982, new materials were discovered which appear to be as well-ordered as crystals, but show symmetries that cannot be reconciled with an underlying periodically-repeating pattern. These materials were dubbed quasicrystals. More than twenty years later, the arrangement of atoms in quasicrystals is still only partly understood. Aperiodic tilings of space, such as the celebrated Penrose tiling, provide idealised mathematical models for possible atomic arrangements. Quasicrystals show interesting physical properties but also raise some general question about what we mean by 'order', why and how nature forms such intricate structures and what other exotic structures might exist in nature.

Dr Uwe Grimm was born in Germany in 1963. He studied physics at the University of Bonn, and graduated with a PhD in 1991. He spent several years as a post-doctoral researcher in Melbourne, Amsterdam and Chemnitz, until joining the Applied Mathematics Department at the Open University in Milton Keynes in December 2000. He is now a Reader in Mathematics, and Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Mathematics & Computing. In collaboration with colleagues from Liverpool, he presented an exhibit on quasicrystals at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London in 2004.

Tuesday 13th March

Cockles in the mud, the huge mussel-beds off Mawbray and Beckfoot, farmed oysters – the upper Solway can produce a vast biomass of edible shell-fish but many factors, natural and human, can influence the life-cycles of the animals and the productivity of the industry.

Dr Jane Lancaster has worked exclusively in marine biology since 1992. She specialises in fisheries and marine ecology, and has worked on a very diverse number of marine environmental projects related to offshore windfarm Environmental Impact Assessments, benthic surveys, fisheries assessments, intertidal ecology assessments and preparation of fisheries’ management plans. She has also worked as a European Marine Site Officer for the Northumberland Coast.

Tuesday 10th April

The ethics of foetal surgery

Edwin Jesudason and Valerie Solari

Foetal surgery aims to correct pre-natally diagnosed birth defects that would otherwise mean the child would have a poor prognosis at birth. This talk will give a brief history of foetal and neonatal surgery (particularly as it relates to the north-west). We will then move on to discuss whether we need foetal surgery, what ethical considerations are raised by surgery on an unborn patient and how technological innovation could breach the barriers to the adoption of foetal surgery as a mainstream technique.

Edwin Jesudason is a consultant paediatric surgeon at The University of Liverpool and Alder Hey Children's Hospital. He trained in Cambridge, London, Sheffield and Liverpool. His research interests include foetal surgery for birth defects. He is spending the first quarter of 2007 in the USA at the 'birthplace' of foetal surgery, the UCSF Fetal Treatment Center.

Valeria Solari trained as a surgeon in the UK, having qualified in Graz, Austria, and worked at The Children's Research Centre, Dublin. Her research has been awarded the Soave medal and won a prize at the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons.

Valeria and Edwin met whilst conducting their surgery and research and were married in Rome (where Valeria's family live) before settling in Liverpool.

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Colin will cover the aspects, functions and locations of the principal mechanical and electrical components within modern large-scale wind turbine generators and consider future technologies and advances.

Colin is a chartered civil and environmental engineer, who has worked in the wind industry since 2000, and has designed and built wind farms from the Shetland Isles to Southern Australia.  At present he designs and constructs environmental solutions and other structures required in on-shore wind farms and is involved in assessment of potential wind farm sites across the UK and Ireland.

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Tuesday 23^rd October

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Plants are food for so many organisms on earth that it is a wonder they survive. But survive they do. So how do plants do it? Why aren’t they just wiped out? The answer lies in their remarkable ability to defend  themselves and if defence fails, to tolerate infection or infestation without seriously compromising their reproductive ability. This presentation and discussion will explore the incredible variety of methods plants use to ward off attack by pathogens and pests and how a better understanding of plant defence might be used to provide environmentally acceptable disease control in crops.

Chemists make things. They make molecules. These molecules are useful. They improve health and wealth. They make things that look good, taste good and are good for us. They are Good Things.

Chemists usually know what molecule they are going to make and make it. Great, but nature has the habit of biting back. Sometimes the molecules go wrong; sometimes the molecules are right but the way they stick together is wrong; the phenomenon known as ‘polymorphism’.

·         Ever wondered why chocolate goes white with age?

·         Have you heard of the thalidomide tragedy?

·         Did you realise that a major US firm recently lost over $250m because the molecules of an anti-HIV drug started sticking together badly?

All these problems were caused by molecules gluing together wrongly. Chick Wilson, Regius Professor of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow, wants to find out how, why and what we can do about it.

A native of Glasgow, Chick recently returned to the city to take up his position at the University after almost twenty years at a national laboratory near Oxford trying to get good at something called 'Structural Chemistry'. He has been looking at the way molecules interact for more years than he cares to admit, and is currently involved in a UK-wide network looking into this. His talk will include a discussion of the phenomenon of ‘polymorphism’ and ways we might try to learn to control it, to make new sweets taste good, or new paints have just the right colour, or new drugs be more effective!

Along the way he will answer the questions above, and also introduce the Mystery of the Disappearing Polymorphs!

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Show-casing local scientific talent, knowledge and enthusiasm, accompanied by mince pies and Jennings ales! A selection of 5-minute talks by local Café Scientistas.

More information, and a request for talks will follow soon ...

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Tick-borne disease increases due to climate change or politics?

(Walkers worried about Lyme Disease, take note!)

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Temperatures in the spring increased suddenly in 1989 in many parts of Europe.  The evidence suggests, however, that it was the collapse of Soviet rule in central and eastern Europe that precipitated an exceptionally sudden and massive increase in tick-borne diseases there.  Similarly, human-induced changes in environmental conditions may be responsible for the apparent increase in ticks and tick-borne diseases in the UK.

Sarah is Professor of Parasite Ecology in the Department of Zoology, Oxford University.  She has studied the ecology of ticks since 1970, and has recently incorporated aspects of human socio-economic
factors into explanations for the changing risk of exposure to tick-borne pathogens

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The psychology of humour and laughter

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Alex will introduce the concept of laughter and humour before Bruce Fummey, a physics teacher by day, sets the stage with a short rendition of his infamous The Greek, the Apple and the Time Machine comedy show, which will take you from Aristotle to Einstein with laughter all the way.

Alex will then explore the psychological and emotional sides of laughter, suggesting why laughter seems to be a universal primitive response. There are many different varieties of laughter and we respond to all signs of laughter at a very basic level. We can use laughter to mend broken relationships, maintain emotional equity and promote healing. Alex will briefly describe how laughter is used in therapy and why many practising physicians employ laughter. One important function of laughter is to act as a system cleaner. Laughter clears the constipation of the soul! Laughter is an important, renewable, cost-effective human resource- no evidence is available that people have died laughing!

Alex Gardner is a chartered psychologist with an interest in laughter workshops. He is the former consultant to the United Kingdom Paruresis Association (Shy Bladder syndrome) where laughter is used in healing workshops. Alex is also a regular broadcaster on TV and radio and has written on psychological and relationship issues.

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The Food Animal Initiative (FAI) aims to show that putting animal welfare and environmental protection at the heart of farming still enables farmers to make a living. The talk will describes the unique partnership between FAI and the University of Oxford that provides a link between research and practical farming (www.farfarms.co.uk)

Marian Dawkins is Professor of Animal Behaviour at the University of Oxford. She is the author of 'Through Our Eyes Only?: the Search for Animal Consciousness' and has recently edited (with R. Bonney) 'Future of Animal
Farming: Renewing the Ancient Contract'. She has also published numerous research papers on the welfare of farm animals, particularly broiler chickens and laying hens.

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Tuesday October 14^th

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Carole writes: 'I aim to introduce some of my research interests, namely astrophysical phenomena that are driven by black holes, big and small, i.e. active galacti nuclei and gamma ray bursts. These two classes of
objects share many physical processes, but change their observed properties on vastly different timescale - millions of years vs seconds or minutes. I'll compare and contrast what we know (and more of what we
don't know) and I'll try to give a flavour of how it is to be an observational astronomer in the modern era of robotic telescopes and real-time discoveries'.

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Some of the greatest improvements in health were made through the Public Health movement of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Sanitary engineering, clean water, healthy food, vaccination against infectious disease and good housing have all contributed to improvements in life expectancy and to a greater proportion of us surviving to old age than ever before. Effective treatments for a range of diseases  are now pushing public health into the background and swallowing more and more resources. Are the glory days of public health over?  Or will the twenty-first century bring a new public health movement with answers to some of our biggest health problems?

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Tuesday December 9^th

Title:

The science behind brewing

Speaker:

Jeremy Pettman, Jennings Brewery

Description:

A brewery tour, instead of an introductory talk, followed by sampling in the usual venue and a discussion of the science that lies behind the brewing.

Jennings regards itself as a traditional brewer using water drawn from the brewery’s own well, and only the finest natural ingredients, including malt made from Maris Otter barley, Golding hops from Kent and Fuggles hops from Herefordshire. Jeremy, as Head Brewer at Jennings, is well placed to give us some insights into the process.

As our regulars know, Jennings have been very supportive of our Café Sci and we are extremely grateful to them. Please note that the tour does require several steep stairways to be negotiated.

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Tuesday January 20th 2009

Title:

Neuroethics – new answers to old questions?

Speaker:

Katja Wiech

Description:

Traditional ethical theory has centered on philosophical notions such as free-will, self-control, personal identity, and intention. The emerging field of neuroethics investigates these notions from the perspective of brain function. As an example we will look at the brain bases of moral cognition and its social and legal implications. How are decisions made in the brain? How are values represented? How are ethical decisions similar to or different from other types of decisions? How could a better understanding of the biological basis of moral cognition and behaviour modify our legal system? Will judges and juries in the near future be asked to make decisions based on 'beautiful pictures' of people’s brains?  We will discuss the pros and cons of Neuroethics!

Dr. Katja Wiech works as a post-doc neuroscientist in the Pain Imaging Neuroscience Group at the University of Oxford and has recently started to investigate brain mechanisms underlying moral decisions.

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Tuesday February 17th

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The forensic DNA database and ethical issues

Speaker:

Graeme Laurie

Description:

Fingerprinting and DNA profiling are increasingly valuable tools in the fight against crime. However, in the UK, there is a debate about whether current police powers to take and use bio-information – powers that can affect the liberty and privacy of innocent people – are justified.

Graeme Laurie was a member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (www.nuffieldbioethics.org ) Working Party on The forensic use of bioinformation. His day job is Director of the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) Research Centre for Studies in Intellectual Property and Technology, University of Edinburgh.

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Tuesday March 24th

Title:

Sea level changes, erosion and flooding, with special reference to North West England

Speaker:

William Ritchie

Description:

Professor Bill Ritchie is Director of the Aberdeen Institute for Coastal Management, and was formerly Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University. His recent research interests include ways by which coastal environmental science can and should be considered part of managerial good practice. Publicity, some of it misinformed, has grown substantially in recent years, having been promoted by the UK Marine Bill, climate change, coastal erosion and flooding, all within a general heading of risk management. Unlike some other parts of the UK, the Solway and Cumbria does not seem to have received the same degree of public attention. At this Café, the factors that underlie most coastal ‘problems’ will be examined and applied to what is known at present about the northern corner of Northwest England.

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Tuesday September 22nd

Title:

Knowing me, knowing you - the essence of transplantation

Speaker:

Phil Dyer

Description:

Phil's talk will focus on how the body differentiates between self and non-self and how immune reactions can be modified to allow successful transplantation. He will set his talk in the context of clinical transplantation and will review cases which raise ethical concerns.

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Tuesday October 13th

Title:

Wave power

Speaker:

Jamie Taylor

Description:

One of the major forces shaping our coast is the action of waves (think Dubmill Point!), yet this power is almost completely wasted in smashing up rocks to make sand.  Finding a way of harnessing this power would seem to make more sense than building windmills or barrages – but the engineering challenges are significant.

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Tuesday November 17th

Title:

Cosmic indigestion: things that go 'bump' in the night

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Description:

Carole writes: “I aim to introduce some of my research interests, namely astrophysical phenomena that are driven by black holes, big and small, i.e. active galactic nuclei and gamma ray bursts. These two classes of
objects share many physical processes, but change their observed properties on vastly different timescale - millions of years vs seconds or minutes. I'll compare and contrast what we know (and more of what we
don't know) and I'll try to give a flavour of how it is to be an observational astronomer in the modern era of robotic telescopes and real-time discoveries.

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Tuesday December 8th

Title:

Granular matters: the strange behaviours of sand

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Sand plays a surprisingly active role in our lives and that of our planet. But sand, like all granular materials, behaves in bizarre and unpredictable ways that are the subject of intense research by physicists, engineers, geologists and other scientists around the world. Through demonstrations (magic tricks?) with sand, a glimpse into this fascinating and extraordinary world will be provided, and the exciting realm of all that we don’t know about sand will be discussed.

Michael Welland is the founder and director of Orogen Limited, a consulting company based in London. He has been face to face with geology around the world, from early field work in the Arctic and for the British Geological Survey in Oman to recent Saharan expeditions. He has held university teaching and research positions in the United States, a variety of roles in the international energy business, and is a Fellow of the Geological Society (London), the Geological Society of America, and the Royal Society for the Arts and Commerce. His book, Sand: the Never-Ending Story, was published this year by the University of California Press and the UK edition, Sand: A Journey Through Science and the Imagination  by Oxford University Press. Michael’s blog on this theme can be found at www.throughthesandglass.com.

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The Northern Lake  District  has been affected by severable memorable floods in recent years. However, do we know the impact of these events on the  fells and are the mountains  being washed into the  lakes? In  this  session we  can discuss this  question and explore how changes of the recent past and possible future impacts might influence erosion on the  mountains.

Jeff Warburton is a Reader in Geomorphology at Durham University and specialises in understanding mountain and upland erosion processes.

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The chimpanzee genome differs from that of humans by a relatively small amount,  they show emotions similar to our own, make and use tools, and are capable of some degree of empathy and altruism. As a result many people have argued that we are "the third chimpanzee" and, more controversially that  "chimps are people too!" Jeremy Taylor will, however, describe how recent comparative genomic research has widened the gap between us and the other great apes, and that there are many aspects of our cognition that are unique in the animal kingdom. We are not chimps.

Jeremy Taylor is a producer of popular science television, firstly with the BBC then freelance since the early '90s; he has made numerous television programmes, including two with Richard Dawkins.

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Join Lewis on a tour of the other planets and moons in our solar system which may harbour life, and even further afield to alien worlds orbiting distant stars, to explore one of the greatest questions ever asked: are we alone...?
 
Lewis Dartnell (www.lewisdartnell.com) is a researcher based at University College London, studying how life, and signs of its existence, might survive the intense cosmic radiation on the surface of Mars. Alongside his research he writes regular science articles in newspapers and magazines, and in 2007 published a popular science book introducing astrobiology, "Life in the Universe: A Beginner's Guide".

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A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds. The disease kills over a million people every year, and affects 40% of the world's population, mainly in the tropics and subtropics. Malaria was also widespread in Europe in the last century, and in the UK was common in the Thames and Medway estuaries and the Fens (Oliver Cromwell was a sufferer). Today there are a few thousand cases in the UK every year, contracted by people visiting countries where malaria is rife. How likely is malaria to come back to Europe and the UK?Can we ever eradicate this disease from the world, and how would we do it?

Lisa Ranford-Cartwright is a senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow, and has been carrying out malaria research for over twenty years, working in many countries in Africa, SE Asia and S America, studying resistance to anti-malarial drugs and the differences between malaria parasites from different parts of the world. Her research group also studies how malaria parasites are transmitted to mosquitoes.