- Email: [email protected]
Watch this
The boy with the incredible brain The remarkable story of Daniel Tammet, who can remember π to 25,000 decimal places, learn a language in a week and multiply huge numbers together. He says he can see the numbers in his head, a claim that may change our understanding of neuroscience. 47 min http://video.google.com/videoplay? docid=4913196365903075662
Watch this USAF
Your guide to the best videos online
Skydiving from space On 16 August 1960, Joe Kittinger jumped out of a balloon at an altitude of over 30 kilometres and plummeted to Earth. It’s a feat that has yet to be repeated, let alone bettered. 7 min http://video.google.com/ videoplay?docid=-911935105090581515
68 | NewScientist | 22/29 December 2007
The science of living longer Want to know what supplements the world’s leading ageing researchers take to increase their lifespan? Tune in to this fascinating discussion between some of the world’s leading longevity researchers, talking to US science show host Charlie Rose. Watch it before your holiday feast if you want to take advantage of the advice on caloric restriction. 56 min http://chime.tv/#v/44k3h_zoom
How to evolve a watch If a creationist ever asks you why a boxful of gears and cogs never evolve into watch, no matter how much you shake them, show them this video. 10 min www.youtube.com/ watch?v=mcAq9bmCeR0
Fermat’s last theorem Andrew Wiles begins his compelling documentary about how he cracked the most famous problem in mathematics: “Perhaps I could best describe my experience in doing mathematics in terms of entering a dark mansion…” 45 min http://video.google.com/videoplay? docid=8269328330690408516
Feynman on quantum electrodynamics Quite possibly the greatest science lecturer in history takes you from photons as corpuscles of light to quantum electrodynamics in a four-part lecture recorded in 1979. Amazingly, no detailed prior knowledge of physics is required. Set aside a few hours for this series. First part, 1 hr 20 min www.vega.org.uk/video/subseries/8
Inner life of the cell Breathtaking, scientifically accurate animation of how immune cells move from blood into tissue. 8 min 30 sec http://multimedia.mcb.harvard.edu/ anim_innerlife.html Broadcast version from ABC World News. 2 min 50 sec http://multimedia.mcb.harvard.edu/ video_embed.html
www.newscientist.com
Lighting a magnesium pencil sharpener with water Water doesn’t extinguish burning magnesium – it makes the fire all the fiercer. Vital knowledge if you’re a firefighter. 1 min 49 sec www.science-tube.com/index. php?c=chemie§ion=002
Black market Photographer Patrick Brown investigates how traditional Chinese medicine fuels an illicit international trade in wildlife. He follows the trail from market stalls to the jungles of Cambodia, where he joins customs officials tracking rhino poachers. 10 min www.mediastorm.org/0015.htm
The iPhone challenge Columnist David Pogue of The New York Times reviews the Apple iPhone in the heady days before its official launch earlier this year. 5 min 49 sec http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story =caed76f16c6132710db58210 df3940afb8a3f7c8
MICHAEL SIMON/REX
A ride into space NASA astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman describes what it’s like in space and talks through photos from his five shuttle flights, including the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission. 7 min http://uk.youtube.com/ watch?v=Pkd4KCEz--Y
Cosmos: Shores of the cosmic ocean The first episode of the landmark popular science series presented by the astronomer Carl Sagan. Awe-inspiring in approach, panoramic in breadth and overdue for a revival. Altogether now: “The cosmos is all there is or ever was or ever will be…” 1 hr www.guba.com/watch/3000082657 (Portugese subtitles)
PATRICK BROWN/PANOS
The social atom Physicist and writer Mark Buchanan lectures on how simple physics models can reproduce the bizarre decision-making behaviour of humans. A fascinating introduction to the new discipline of social physics. 1 hr 9 min www.researchchannel.org/prog/ displayevent.aspx?rID=17528&fID=4269 (requires Internet Explorer 6 and Microsoft Media Player 7 or higher)
Two takes on mitosis A synchronised swimming team demonstrates how this type of cell division takes place. 1 min www.youtube.com/ watch?v=eFuCE22agyM
LSD tested on British soldiers How acid could bring world peace, man. 1 min 37 sec http://video.google.com/videoplay? docid=517198059628627413
Ali G on science The British comedy character Ali G interviews a panel of scientists. Thought-provoking stuff. 7 min http://chime.tv/#v/j0fs
Cape Canaveral rocket explosion A Delta rocket carrying a $45 million GPS satellite explodes over the launch pad, raining fire on the surrounding area. 2 min http://video.google.com/videoplay? docid=1381963273853382138
The joy of stats Swedish development expert Hans Rosling debunks myths about the developing world with engaging graphics and “the best stats you’ve ever seen”. One of several fascinating talks filmed at the Technology, Entertainment, Design conference. 20 min www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/ id/92
Or try this more traditional explanation. 1 min 29 secs www.youtube.com/ watch?v=VlN7K1-9QB0
Cornflour capers Tape a baking tray to a loudspeaker, fill it with cornflour and water, and watch what emerges. 2 min 26 sec www.youtube.com/ watch?v=GU3fOeDctbY
New Scientist bears no responsibility for the content provided by external websites. Where possible we have provided links to original sources; the content of other sites is the responsibility of the host
www.newscientist.com
Alex the African grey parrot With a vocabulary of 100 words, an ability to count to 6 and to recognise shapes and colours, Irene Pepperberg’s African grey parrot wowed scientists and the public alike until his untimely death earlier this year at the young age (for a grey parrot) of 31. 2 min www.youtube.com/ watch?v=R6KvPN_Wt8I
Justin Mullins has better things to do than watch online videos, but never seems to get round to them
22/29 December 2007 | NewScientist | 69
Watch this USAF
Your guide to the best videos online
Skydiving from space On 16 August 1960, Joe Kittinger jumped out of a balloon at an altitude of over 30 kilometres and plummeted to Earth. It’s a feat that has yet to be repeated, let alone bettered. 7 min http://video.google.com/ videoplay?docid=-911935105090581515
68 | NewScientist | 22/29 December 2007
The science of living longer Want to know what supplements the world’s leading ageing researchers take to increase their lifespan? Tune in to this fascinating discussion between some of the world’s leading longevity researchers, talking to US science show host Charlie Rose. Watch it before your holiday feast if you want to take advantage of the advice on caloric restriction. 56 min http://chime.tv/#v/44k3h_zoom
How to evolve a watch If a creationist ever asks you why a boxful of gears and cogs never evolve into watch, no matter how much you shake them, show them this video. 10 min www.youtube.com/ watch?v=mcAq9bmCeR0
Fermat’s last theorem Andrew Wiles begins his compelling documentary about how he cracked the most famous problem in mathematics: “Perhaps I could best describe my experience in doing mathematics in terms of entering a dark mansion…” 45 min http://video.google.com/videoplay? docid=8269328330690408516
Feynman on quantum electrodynamics Quite possibly the greatest science lecturer in history takes you from photons as corpuscles of light to quantum electrodynamics in a four-part lecture recorded in 1979. Amazingly, no detailed prior knowledge of physics is required. Set aside a few hours for this series. First part, 1 hr 20 min www.vega.org.uk/video/subseries/8
Inner life of the cell Breathtaking, scientifically accurate animation of how immune cells move from blood into tissue. 8 min 30 sec http://multimedia.mcb.harvard.edu/ anim_innerlife.html Broadcast version from ABC World News. 2 min 50 sec http://multimedia.mcb.harvard.edu/ video_embed.html
www.newscientist.com
Lighting a magnesium pencil sharpener with water Water doesn’t extinguish burning magnesium – it makes the fire all the fiercer. Vital knowledge if you’re a firefighter. 1 min 49 sec www.science-tube.com/index. php?c=chemie§ion=002
Black market Photographer Patrick Brown investigates how traditional Chinese medicine fuels an illicit international trade in wildlife. He follows the trail from market stalls to the jungles of Cambodia, where he joins customs officials tracking rhino poachers. 10 min www.mediastorm.org/0015.htm
The iPhone challenge Columnist David Pogue of The New York Times reviews the Apple iPhone in the heady days before its official launch earlier this year. 5 min 49 sec http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story =caed76f16c6132710db58210 df3940afb8a3f7c8
MICHAEL SIMON/REX
A ride into space NASA astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman describes what it’s like in space and talks through photos from his five shuttle flights, including the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission. 7 min http://uk.youtube.com/ watch?v=Pkd4KCEz--Y
Cosmos: Shores of the cosmic ocean The first episode of the landmark popular science series presented by the astronomer Carl Sagan. Awe-inspiring in approach, panoramic in breadth and overdue for a revival. Altogether now: “The cosmos is all there is or ever was or ever will be…” 1 hr www.guba.com/watch/3000082657 (Portugese subtitles)
PATRICK BROWN/PANOS
The social atom Physicist and writer Mark Buchanan lectures on how simple physics models can reproduce the bizarre decision-making behaviour of humans. A fascinating introduction to the new discipline of social physics. 1 hr 9 min www.researchchannel.org/prog/ displayevent.aspx?rID=17528&fID=4269 (requires Internet Explorer 6 and Microsoft Media Player 7 or higher)
Two takes on mitosis A synchronised swimming team demonstrates how this type of cell division takes place. 1 min www.youtube.com/ watch?v=eFuCE22agyM
LSD tested on British soldiers How acid could bring world peace, man. 1 min 37 sec http://video.google.com/videoplay? docid=517198059628627413
Ali G on science The British comedy character Ali G interviews a panel of scientists. Thought-provoking stuff. 7 min http://chime.tv/#v/j0fs
Cape Canaveral rocket explosion A Delta rocket carrying a $45 million GPS satellite explodes over the launch pad, raining fire on the surrounding area. 2 min http://video.google.com/videoplay? docid=1381963273853382138
The joy of stats Swedish development expert Hans Rosling debunks myths about the developing world with engaging graphics and “the best stats you’ve ever seen”. One of several fascinating talks filmed at the Technology, Entertainment, Design conference. 20 min www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/ id/92
Or try this more traditional explanation. 1 min 29 secs www.youtube.com/ watch?v=VlN7K1-9QB0
Cornflour capers Tape a baking tray to a loudspeaker, fill it with cornflour and water, and watch what emerges. 2 min 26 sec www.youtube.com/ watch?v=GU3fOeDctbY
New Scientist bears no responsibility for the content provided by external websites. Where possible we have provided links to original sources; the content of other sites is the responsibility of the host
www.newscientist.com
Alex the African grey parrot With a vocabulary of 100 words, an ability to count to 6 and to recognise shapes and colours, Irene Pepperberg’s African grey parrot wowed scientists and the public alike until his untimely death earlier this year at the young age (for a grey parrot) of 31. 2 min www.youtube.com/ watch?v=R6KvPN_Wt8I
Justin Mullins has better things to do than watch online videos, but never seems to get round to them
22/29 December 2007 | NewScientist | 69