Author Archives: Rebecca Nesbit
How do we value our natural capital?
Daija Angeli, project officer for the Society of Biology’s special interest group the Natural Capital Initiative, attended a meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on the valuation of natural capital on 25th February 2014. Here is what she learned: How do we value our nature? The concept of natural capital is often used to … Continue reading
Is it time for a sugar tax?
In advance of Voice of the Future 2014, Rebecca Nesbit considers a question she would like to ask MPs The health effects of too much added sugar have been in the news recently, raising questions about whether we should introduce a sugar tax. Recently, Mexico started to tax sugar-sweetened beverages. Recent research suggests that people … Continue reading
Video: 3D cell culture set for space
Growing cells in culture in the lab is fundamental for many areas of research and drug discovery. Cells grown in a petri-dish, however, don’t resemble the tissues found in living organisms. 3D scaffolds have been developed to overcome this and enhance the growth, differentiation and function of cultured cells. This video gives an insight into … Continue reading
Pollen protects honeybees against pathogens
Rebecca Nesbit, press officer at the Society of Biology, reports on Professor May Berenbaum’s talk at the Impact of Pesticides on Bee Health conference organised by the Biochemical Society, the British Ecological Society and the Society for Experimental Biology. In 2006, American beekeepers were alarmed by sudden losses of hives to colony collapse disorder, where … Continue reading
Video: Can we rely on honeybees for pollination?
By Rebecca Nesbit, press officer at the Society of Biology Insect pollination improves production in around 75% of global crops, and both wild pollinators and managed honeybees are important. Recently, EU agricultural and biofuel policies have led to an increased area of insect pollinated crops. But do we have enough honeybees to pollinate them? In … Continue reading
What Twitter can bring to science writing
Rebecca Nesbit, press officer at the Society of Biology, is running evening courses on writing for a non-technical audience along with The Biologist’s managing editor Tom Ireland. Last year we ran our first course on writing for a non-technical audience, and I was struck by the diversity of people who attended. We had representatives from … Continue reading
Podcast: what is science?
What does science mean to you? Before Christmas, three members of the Society of Biology team, Rebecca Nesbit, Penny Fletcher and David Urry, gave their perspectives on the question ‘what is science?‘ for a new podcast.
Species of the week: Cane toad
The cane toad (Bufo marinus or Rhinella marina) is a large toad native to south and central America, which has had some pretty bad press. Its attempted use in pest control has led to populations being established around the world, often with serious consequences for native wildlife. It is also known as the giant toad, … Continue reading
How to sketch the hind leg of a honeybee
In advance of the Society of Biology training course she is giving in March, Wildlife and Natural History artist Cath Hodsman shares tips on accurate insect drawing. I paint and sketch all wildlife but my main specialism is entomology. I seek to get as much detail in my work as possible in order to pay … Continue reading
Making evidence make news
In advance of the Society of Biology’s Introduction to the media course, press officer Rebecca Nesbit looks at the role of scientists in the media. ‘Making evidence make news’ is the tagline of the new Education Media Centre, which opened in London this week. This struck me as exactly what the scientific community as a … Continue reading