Surprising Science — May 19, 2009

Tomorrow At Big Think: Biochemist Sir Paul Nurse

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Nobel-prize winning biochemist Sir Paul Nurse comes to Big Think tomorrow to discuss cancer research and health care policy. Post your questions for the “David Beckham of science” here.

Over a career spanning four decades, Nurse has completed ground-breaking research into cell cycle regulation that has allowed significant insights into the underlying physiology of cancer. He was honored for his work with a Nobel Prize in 2001 and was bestowed knighthood for services to cancer research and cell biology.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

The Present

Microplastic overload: Is cutting production the only realistic way to curb pollution?

On November 25, U.N. members will meet in South Korea to cap off a series of meetings aiming to reduce global plastic pollution.

Image with a split view: the left half shows a black-and-white image of Earth, the right half depicts a grayscale crowd scene. Text overlay: "More Humans Are Better," with the number "3" in the top right corner.

The Present

The overlooked virtues of a crowded world

In a world of rising cynicism, a celebration of our capacity to create, adapt, and thrive.

The Future

How Arc Institute is bringing science into the century of biology

There is one obstacle that reliably blocks innovative ideas: how we fund science.

The baskets are filled with different kinds of vegetables.

Health

Fruits and vegetables are trying to kill you

Antioxidant vitamins don’t stress us like plants do—and don’t have their beneficial effect.

A black and blue image of a chemical symbol featuring mirror image.

Life

The “dark biosphere”: Do mirror-image lifeforms exist?

This biochemist is determined to create a new life form by reversing the shape of molecules.

Up Next

Technology & Innovation

What’s Black, White And Dead All Over?

In case you didn’t catch the story, the newspaper business is in deep trouble. But there’s more to it than the challenge of going digital. Thanks to a last-minute concession […]