Category Archives: Scicomm
A new source of cosmic rays?
The International Space Station carries a suite of instruments conducting scientific experiments and measurements in low-Earth orbit. One of them is the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), which studies antimatter particles in cosmic rays to understand how the universe has evolved … Continue reading
Posted in Scicomm
Tagged Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, cosmic rays, deuterons, helium 4, helium-3, International Space Station, magnetic field, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, rigidity, statistical significance
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The universe’s shape and its oldest light
The 3-torus is a strange and wonderful shape. We can’t readily visualise it because it has a complicated structure, but there’s a way. Imagine you’re standing inside a cube in which light is moving from the left face towards the … Continue reading
Posted in Scicomm
Tagged 3-torus, Big Bang cosmology, COMPACT collaboration, cosmic microwave background, manifold, Max Tegmark, relic radiation, The New York Times, universe geometry, universe shape
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The pitfalls of Somanath calling Aditya L1 a “protector”
In a WhatsApp group of which I’m a part, there’s a heated discussion going on around an article published by NDTV on June 10, entitled ‘Sun’s Fury May Fry Satellites, But India Has A Watchful Space Protector’. The article was … Continue reading
Posted in Scicomm, Science
Tagged Aditya L1, Indian Space Research Organisation, NDTV, S Somanath, scientific mission, solar storm, Somak Raychaudhury, space weather
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The BHU Covaxin study and ICMR bait
Earlier this month, a study by a team at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi concluded that fully 1% of Covaxin recipients may suffer severe adverse events. One percent is a large number because the multiplier (x in 1/100 * … Continue reading
Posted in Op-eds, Scicomm, Science
Tagged academic publishing, Banaras Hindu University, Bharat Biotech, Covaxin, Drug Safety, Indian Council of Medical Research, Priya Abraham, The Hindu, The Vaccine War
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The billionaire’s solution to climate change
An eye-opening profile of Marc Benioff’s 1t.org initiative, the flawed research paper that inspired it, the harmful practices it’s made room for, and what all this says of his wealth Continue reading
Posted in Scicomm, Science
Tagged 1t.org, afforestation, afforestration, Bloomberg, carbon credits, carbon sequestration, carbon trading, climate action, climate mitigation, Jane Goodall, Marc Benioff, Thomas Crowther
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The “coherent water” scam is back
On May 7, I received a press release touting a product called “coherent water” made by a company named Analemma Water India. According to the document, “coherent water” is based on more than “15 years of rigorous research and development” … Continue reading
Posted in Scicomm
Tagged Analemma Water India, coherent water, Feliz Hoenikker, ice-nine, pseudoscience, Somarka, structured water
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End of the line
The folks at The Wire have laid The Wire Science to rest, I’ve learnt. The site hasn’t published any (original) articles since February 2 and its last tweet was on February 16, 2024. At the time I left, in October … Continue reading
Posted in Life notes, Scicomm
Tagged science journalism, The Hindu, The Wire Science
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The foundation of shit
I’ve been a commissioning editor in Indian science, health, and environment journalism for a little under a decade. I’ve learnt many lessons in this time but one in particular still surprises me. Whenever I receive an email, I’m quick to … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Scicomm
Tagged email, freelance journalism, freelancers, science journalism, The Hindu Science, The Wire Science
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