Carl Sagan famously demonstrated an excellent visualization of gravity. Can someone point me to a similar, elegant visualization of magnetic force?
posted by device55 on Dec 28, 2009 - 11 answers

The only science fiction novel I've read is "Contact" by Carl Sagan. Can you recommend me more? [more inside]
posted by tumbleweedjack on Dec 26, 2009 - 46 answers

Origin of the Matrix relating to a Science Fictional setting... [more inside]
posted by madmamasmith on Dec 24, 2009 - 19 answers

Is there a REAL MacGyver School in the world? [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 on Dec 22, 2009 - 15 answers

Cool things to do when it's 40 below? [more inside]
posted by leahwrenn on Dec 17, 2009 - 13 answers

What is the best way to move hot air? Would it be blowing air across the heat source (ex: wood stove) or suck the air away from the heat source? [more inside]
posted by ascetic on Dec 16, 2009 - 11 answers

When I click on "Find Full Text" in EndNote, it only finds about 1/4 of the references. Is there a way to increase the number of journals it can find? Unfortunately it doesn't seem to know of Science, or Ecology, or Evolution. Is this just a Thomson-Reuters contractual thing?
posted by one_bean on Dec 14, 2009 - 7 answers

Looking for recommendations of learning podcasts similar to "Physics for future presidents" [more inside]
posted by loryjade on Dec 12, 2009 - 1 answer

When you pour soda into a glass, is the head / froth / bubbly stuff at the top actual soda that is being turned into froth and then wasted? [more inside]
posted by meadowlark lime on Dec 10, 2009 - 12 answers

Volunteering opportunities with organizations that promote science education in Boston? [more inside]
posted by inoculatedcities on Dec 6, 2009 - 10 answers

Confused on spelling variations: Master of Science vs. Master's of Science. [more inside]
posted by figTree on Nov 30, 2009 - 12 answers

Looking for a science fiction book I read a few years ago. I believe it came out within the past five years. Basic plot was that a guy died and then his mind was uploaded into a robot. I think the main character might have been fairly poor at one time and then started dating an heiress which was why he was able to do the upload after death. [more inside]
posted by sorindome on Nov 29, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm going to school to become a weed scientist... [more inside]
posted by Benzle on Nov 29, 2009 - 13 answers

Does anyone still believe in phrenology?
posted by Yakuman on Nov 25, 2009 - 12 answers

How have you reconciled failure vs. quitting? How have you managed to pick up the pieces of your most passionate undertaking after dropping it? Is the desire to reinvent myself and undertake a new passion/direction just a mechanism to hide the pain of giving up? [more inside]
posted by Gaeacon on Nov 24, 2009 - 7 answers

Requesting advice with my career in computer science. Briefly, should I stay or should I go? [more inside]
posted by gadha on Nov 22, 2009 - 6 answers

What kind of small toys or devices click when you rotate them forwards and backwards? Seeking mechanism or design... [more inside]
posted by pallen123 on Nov 21, 2009 - 13 answers

What are the most fun, memorable, interesting, exciting, and long-lasting learning experiences you have had? [more inside]
posted by Cygnet on Nov 20, 2009 - 25 answers

Is there a set quota of white blood cells that the human body produces over its lifetime, and if so do routine vaccines (e.g. the flu) tax the immune system enough to significantly shorten the person's lifespan? [more inside]
posted by foulowl on Nov 19, 2009 - 33 answers

Why does one cup of coffee make me sleepy? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Nov 18, 2009 - 14 answers

I am looking for a large picture book on anatomical differences of humans around the world... [more inside]
posted by alice_curiouse on Nov 17, 2009 - 7 answers

A friend, who leans Ron Paul libertarian, was recently trying to convince me that anthropogenic global warming is largely a myth. A central part of his argument was his claiming that there was recently a petition signed by 40,000 independent climate scientists saying that, in his words, "so-called global warming is bullshit." More inside. [more inside]
posted by Ash3000 on Nov 17, 2009 - 38 answers

I'm being outsmarted by a personalized license plate (I think)! [more inside]
posted by ailouros08 on Nov 17, 2009 - 15 answers

GiftFilter: What would be a great present for someone who loves science, but not in a geeky/campy way? [more inside]
posted by daelin on Nov 16, 2009 - 19 answers

I'm trying to remember the name of a sci-fi book. I read it like 10 years ago, so my memory of it's a bit fuzzy. One of the major topics was something about the religion of science. I remember a guy who was able to trick people, a traveling salesman of sorts, who sold someone a machine that turned lead into gold. The machine actually worked, but would stop working after he got away with his money. I don't *think* I'm imagining this book, but who knows...
posted by Political Funny Man on Nov 11, 2009 - 5 answers

I am returning to college to complete my bachelors degree and need to take a natural science class to fulfill general education requirements. Which class is the best choice for someone who is utterly intimidated by science? [more inside]
posted by madforplaid on Nov 11, 2009 - 46 answers

I would like to understand the dynamics of radio waves like a bird understands air currents. [more inside]
posted by mouthnoize on Nov 11, 2009 - 3 answers

I'm currently attending MyCounty Tech School, and have been planning to transfer to Local Private University next fall to finish my Computer Science/IT bachelors. The thing is, I really don't know if that's the right way to wrap up my schooling. Can I get some recommendations on what to look for in a good CS program, and recommendations on slightly non-traditional/accelerated ways of getting a degree in Computer Science? More background info inside. [more inside]
posted by niles on Nov 10, 2009 - 7 answers

What could be causing an image of Jesus to appear in this man's truck window? [more inside]
posted by longsleeves on Nov 4, 2009 - 23 answers

Statistics question: is it possible to test sets of cumulative data for significant differences in rate? [more inside]
posted by rollick on Nov 4, 2009 - 9 answers

What biomedical engineering labs are "underrated"? [more inside]
posted by gensubuser on Nov 4, 2009 - 5 answers

Help me find a half-remembered anecdote about robotics and computing taking a cue from ant- or bee-like, hive-mind biological processes -- a story about a car factory's paint process organized with just three rules. [more inside]
posted by Cool Papa Bell on Nov 3, 2009 - 2 answers

Which books can a physicist and a liberal arts type trade to gain a deeper appreciation of literature and science, respectively? Ideally, these would be books we could both read and enjoy. [more inside]
posted by Diagonalize on Nov 2, 2009 - 40 answers

Sci-Fi Movie Filter: Trying to locate the title of a movie I saw in the late 80's. It was set in the US in the near future. A private eye or cop was trying to track down someone smuggling a deadly drug or chemical that - when it came in contact with the human body - dissolved it in a fantastically gruesome fashion with smoke and screaming. [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 on Nov 1, 2009 - 5 answers

Science! How can I use my excessive tech / management / leadership background to enable science (while still getting paid a living wage)? [more inside]
posted by TheOtherSide on Oct 29, 2009 - 3 answers

If I'm sitting on the terraformed surface of a Culture orbital, what does the horizon look like? [more inside]
posted by reverend cuttle on Oct 26, 2009 - 12 answers

What happened to my Shampoo? I mixed two different Shampoo brands about 70/30 and liked the resultant mixture. The next time I mixed them 50/50 and overnight the mixture lost all it's "thickness" (viscosity, I guess) and still works fine, but is as thin as milk if not thinner. [more inside]
posted by Rafaelloello on Oct 23, 2009 - 6 answers

I have just started as a school science technician at an inner city school. Over the holiday I would like to spruce up the 5 science classrooms with displays covering the various disciplines. Does anyone know of any online resources, posters to download/print etc? [more inside]
posted by Saddo on Oct 23, 2009 - 8 answers

Book like William Gibson's Pattern Recognition and Spook Country. Near-future, near-science fiction, non-fantasy, non-artsy-fartsy, delving into technological culture. [more inside]
posted by Cool Papa Bell on Oct 22, 2009 - 38 answers

Help me influence the future of science - or- I have no idea how to finish my student teaching lesson. [more inside]
posted by julie_of_the_jungle on Oct 22, 2009 - 10 answers

Hello! I am leading an Anatomy & Physiology study group for homeschooled teens. The aim is to work at the advanced high school level, but I'm using a college textbook (Thibodeau & Patton), as the illustrations and charts are more useful, and it might come in handy for them for later reference. But I'm not sure how deep to delve. [more inside]
posted by houseofdanie on Oct 21, 2009 - 3 answers

Why do people hate math and science so much? [more inside]
posted by chicago2penn on Oct 17, 2009 - 129 answers

What is the most important scientific question of our time? [more inside]
posted by Demogorgon on Oct 12, 2009 - 44 answers

I'm toying with an idea for a short story or maybe a long story or maybe no story, but the idea has led me to a point where I have a question for those of you who have some knowledge about science and biology. Read on, brave adventurer! [more inside]
posted by kbanas on Oct 12, 2009 - 19 answers

StatisticAnalysisFilter: I took (pretty close to) scientific observations of the general populace in a neighborhood for a few months (personal project, long story). I measured the number of people who had trait X (or did not have trait X) in two locations, A and B. Now, I want to test the statistical significance of these results. Is the chi-square test sufficient for this? Or is there a better option? [more inside]
posted by MoreForMad on Oct 11, 2009 - 7 answers

I have absolutely no comprehension whatsoever of how fiber optic cables can transmit information -- phone calls, emails, whatever -- by using light. Seriously, this makes no sense. Please explain it to me as if I'm a fifth-grader who makes decent grades in science class. [more inside]
posted by mudpuppie on Oct 6, 2009 - 39 answers

How can I be use my spare time to advance a scientific cause? [more inside]
posted by adverb on Oct 6, 2009 - 16 answers

What distance could a ship circumnavigate, using theoretically proven technologies, by the end of the century, traveling as far into space as possible and still returning home in 900 years? [more inside]
posted by marcuswebb on Oct 3, 2009 - 13 answers

Looking for an article regarding the fact that single men are responsible for more social breakthroughs than are married men/fathers. [more inside]
posted by myodometer on Oct 3, 2009 - 3 answers

Are the benefits of sauna therapy real? Some family members of mine talk about saunas being useful for "getting out heavy metals." Supposedly, the body sweats them out. [more inside]
posted by mdpatrick on Oct 3, 2009 - 11 answers