Seven days in science - 17 February 2010

A major new study was launched at the start of this week in order to answer the question What next for international Science? The study will map and analyse where, why, how and by whom science is being carried out around the world and how this is changing. The results, published in November, will inform global decision makers in science, business, NGOs and government by addressing some of the most significant questions facing science today.

On Tuesday one hundred of the world’s rising research stars gathered at the Royal Society in London to celebrate the Newton International Fellowship Scheme.  Amongst those who spoke at the event were Lord Rees, President of the Royal Society, Professor David Clary FRS, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Philip Greenish, Chief Executive of The Royal Academy of Engineering and Professor Duncan Gallie, Foreign Secretary of the British Academy.

On Wednesday pupils from across Northern Ireland visited W5 in Belfast to explore near future earthquakes and their impact. This talk by Professor John McCloskey was part of the Royal Society’s Local Heroes programme.

A special half-term event has been running at the London Transport Museum all this week. Families have been re-constructing the UK’s Capital at the event London Landscapes, which is part of the Royal Societies Capital Science programme.

Next week

To mark the fiftieth anniversary of Keeling's first publication of atmospheric CO2 measurements, the Discussion Meeting Greenhouse gases in the Earth system: setting the agenda to 2030 takes place next week (22-23 February). The use of long-term monitoring to understand greenhouse gases in the Earth System will be the main point of discussion.

Should we bring back dinosaurs?  What about a woolly mammoth? If scientists were able to recreate extinct animals, it might allow them to be studied to answer questions such as why they became extinct in the first place.  But would it be right to do this? Have your say at next Thursday’s (25 February) Back from Extinction Café Scientifique at London’s Horniman Museum, where a panel of experts will argue for four extinct species to be resurrected before the audience are invited to vote.