Nature
Giving the hedgehog a helping hand
By Fay Vass, chief executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Read blogs about the other mammals in the #UKMammalPoll and vote for your Favourite UK Mammal. The argument in favour of hedgehogs could be won simply on their cuteness. However, there is far more about this amazing mammal that could swing the vote. Hedgehogs … Continue reading
Why I’m nuts for red squirrels
By Joe Woodman, wildlife photographer and student at Magdalen College School. Read blogs about the other mammals in the #UKMammalPoll and vote for your Favourite UK Mammal. The red squirrel is perhaps one of the most iconic British mammals. These little red rodents can be seen hopping from branch to branch in pockets of select … Continue reading
Myth of the ‘pied piper’ butterfly
Dr Rebecca Nesbit MRSB offers some background to the free Biology Week event ‘Insect and bird migration: revealing the mysteries of flight’. It’s that time of year again – the swallows are collecting on the telegraph wires ready to escape the cold that’s coming our way. It’s a sad spectacle for anyone lamenting the end of … Continue reading
Can we give new biotech the green light?
By Gabriele Butkute, science policy assistant at the Royal Society of Biology and the Biochemical Society The human population is expected to reach nine billion by 2050. There are pressing questions about how to ensure a healthy diet for everyone while preventing overuse of natural resources or poisoning of the land, sea and air. Biotechnology … Continue reading
Imitating art imitating life
By Gina Degtyareva, a biology undergraduate at the University of Bristol My heart was split between arts and sciences for a long time until I was choosing my A-levels I realised that they can be combined in many ways. One of these ways is wildlife and nature photography. I love this area of photography because … Continue reading
What makes a good conservation photograph?
By Davide Gaglio, amateur photographer and student at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology Describing what photography is for me is already a very difficult task. When we narrow the topic to ‘conservation photography’ it becomes even more challenging. Is not easy to judge when a photograph including wildlife or a natural resource is … Continue reading
The macro-problem of microplastics
By Matt Turley AMRSB, NERC-funded PhD student at the University of Brighton and policy intern at the Royal Society of Biology The presence of plastics, particularly microplastics, in the environment has received increasing attention in recent years, with the UK government launching an inquiry last month (closing 15 April). Microplastics are particles of plastic smaller … Continue reading
Actions for plant science in the UK
By Dr Sandy Knapp FRSB, head of the Plants Division of the Natural History Museum, London Plant science has a broad reach – from molecules to ecosystems, and from blue skies to near-market research and practical applications. The UKPSF was formed to bring the plant science sector together and to harness the power of our … Continue reading
Escape to the rainforest
By Fergus Kennedy, Royal Society of Biology travel grant recipient The Danum Valley Field Centre is nestled on the fringe of Danum Valley Conservation Area, one of the largest areas of protected lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Malaysian Borneo. To the east is secondary regenerated forest, and to the west is ancient primary forest, both home … Continue reading
Podcast: Celebrating great biology books and photography
What are the secrets of taking a great wildlife photograph, writing an entertaining and informative science book, or engaging children with cutting edge research? Amelia Perry spoke to judges and winners at the Royal Society of Biology Annual Awards Ceremony during Biology Week 2015 to find out. Find out more about our Awards Ceremony and … Continue reading