Radiation

Things to do in Chernobyl when you’re alive

Given the current global lockdown scenario, I thought it was high time I posted some photographs from my (pre-Covid) visit to Chernobyl and the now deserted nearby city of Pripyat. Perhaps such places present a lesson. We get to see what society looks like when humanity itself is no longer […]

Is there actually evidence for anti-ageing creams?

Here is a short piece I wrote for Tuesday’s Irish Independent. It was part of their ‘Science For Life’ supplement (not available online), in which scientists provide answers to “some of life’s big questions“. I was asked to respond to a question raised by current affairs broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan (@miriamocal), who […]

That sensational Kindle bargain: UPDATE (includes rant)

Last September I blogged about this very exciting discount available from Amazon.com. Now, please restrain yourselves…I’m only talking about a mere $467 price reduction on a single-volume book! I guess the downside was the remaining outlay. A lot of people felt the tag of $7,322.60 (inclusive of reduction) for the Kindle edition of […]

Scientific advice for Christmas (Original Soundtrack), Part 2

Happy Solstice everybody! As James Brown (above) puts it, it’s time to hitch up your reindeer and go straight to the ghetto! This is because it’s time for Part 2 of my… …SCIENCE-OF-CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! Woo-hoo! (Again) Last time out things were, I suppose, a bit morbid. This time you will be […]