My long happy career as a science columnist with The Irish Times
A column that helped launch the modern era of Irish Stem communication
Artificial intelligence can be a boon for medicine
When properly regulated, there can be huge benefits
In the age of conversational AI, ‘scholarly bullsh*t’ floats to the surface
ChatGPT may be a real ol’ charmer but one that can produce ‘pointless and unnecessary’ works
Exercise in minutes, not hours: Study finds brief bursts may boost health
Research suggests short bouts of vigorous activity may extend life, but genetic factors still loom large
The urgent need to combat vaccine hesitancy in Ireland and abroad
Concerns about childhood vaccination have returned with a bang – we must allay these fears
Are humans alone in the universe?
While radio waves are the method of choice when searching for signals of intelligent alien life, other detectable signs also exist
Could vagus nerve stimulation be used to treat obesity, Alzheimer’s and bowel disorders?
Vagus nerve stimulation has already proven effective in treating PTSD and epilepsy
Ireland’s electricity grid struggles with increased supply from renewables
Cumbersome planning systems greatly delay grid developments
Do humour and laughter benefit your health?
There is evidence that mood can boost the immune system – watching funny films, for example, strengthens immunity and reduces allergic reactions
Scientific consensus is not a fruitful concept
The notion of consensus is poorly suited to scientific practice, where conclusions must remain revisable in light of new evidence
The forgotten heroine behind the double helix
Rosalind Franklin’s contribution to discovering the structure of life’s genetic material rarely receives more mention than a footnote
Europa is our best bet of finding other life in our solar system
Nasa’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will loop around Jupiter on a course that will carry it by Europa 49 times over four years
What’s the weather like on the sun?
In a billion years’ time the sun will become hot enough to boil our oceans
Forming useful habits not as easy as widely believed
We are creatures of habit for a reason. The automatic nature of habits helps people meet their daily life needs more effortlessly
Declining US vaccine rates may come back to bite
Return of canine rabies a strong possibility as many Americans grow increasingly suspicious of vaccines, even for dogs