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Stardate Friday 1st February 2008 Issue 265
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Can you smell something? A rat perchance? Well no wonder because February the 7th heralds the start of the Chinese Year of the Rat. A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Maybe not all in the same year though eh?
And don’t forget to look out for the ratty questions cunningly hidden in this week’s newsletter… answers at the end, naturally.
The line-up this week:
- Randomised is here!
- Gimme Five – fascinating facts about …?
- Scicast Tip of the Week
- Stump the Scientist: a question of crystals
- Activity of the Week: Magic Tea Party
- Mouses at the Ready: Family passes to Dartmoor Zoo
- Noticeboard: FYI
- Recommended websites of the week
- The Winners’ Enclosure
- Joke of the Week
a) “You dirty rat” was a line famously never said by whom? (Adopt stance of slumped shoulders, droop hands in front of yourself and swagger slightly)
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1. Randomised is here!
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 In all the excitement of the past few weeks we completely forgot to tell you about Randomised! What are we like? Randomised is the new name for our junior newsletter for over 11’s. You can see Randomised here but better still, get yer over 11’s to sign up for their own copy. So new newsletter, new features such as Soooooo Random, Sci-text and the ever-popular Over 2U! We don’t do things by halves at Planet Science, Randomised even has pictures too. As for the name – you want to try thinking up a good name, at least rat-owners have their own name-your-rat site. They don’t know they’re born…
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2. Gimme Five … rat facts
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- The rat originated in Central and Southeast Asia.
- Rats need three things to survive: food, water, and shelter.
- A group/pack/herd of rats is called a Mischief.
- Rat tails are used for temperature regulation and communication as well as balance.
- Rats don’t have a gallbladder.
Have you got FIVE facts about anything/everything? Preferably science-based of course (we’re not called Planet Science for nothing y’know). If so, send it along to us at planet-science.news@nesta.org.uk with GIMME FIVE in the subject line. Fancy seeing your name in print? Your wish is our command.
Oh go on then, since we’re feeling generous. Have some more rat trivia
Rat Laughter
Rat Behaviour
Rat Facts
b) ‘I don’t like Mondays’ was a song by which group?
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2.  SciCast
Away from prying eyes, behind-the-scenes, and in deepest privacy,
the judging panels are starting to wade their way through your
submissions for the first SciCast Awards.
Which means the rest of us can get back to wrestling with the
almost-working-again-phew-that’s-a-relief SciCast website, and make your films viewable by everyone else.
Since ‘the rest of us’ is… er… me, that might
still take a little while. But I’ll do my best.
There are some terrific films coming up, and we’ll shortly be
bringing you details of SciCast’s second year. Stay tuned
— read this column, follow the Blog, and don’t forget to add your comments to your
favourite films on the site.
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<<< Back to Top |
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4. Stump the Scientist
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 This week’s stumper comes from Roy Badham who asks:
“When making up a solution of iron(II)sulphate, I got some on my fingers and noticed a "metallic" smell, the same smell which comes from old cast iron , especially bits which have been in sea water. Now, I always tell my students that ionic compounds have high boiling points and, in order for you to smell something, some molecules have to go into your nostrils so you can only smell gases or vapours. The solid has no smell nor does the solution (Well, none that I could detect), so, can anyone explain what happens when it gets on your skin? Does this happen with any other chemicals?”
Barbara Sommerville suggests
“There could be a couple of explanations. Moisture increases the volatility of many odours probably because, the molecules get into a water droplet and are transferred to the nasal mucosa that way or perhaps a chemical reaction with stuff on the skin converted some of the iron sulphate to something more volatile.“
Dr Alan P Glaze says
“There are lots of medical conditions that can give rise to a metallic taste in the mouth. However, in this case, some recent research has shown that the smell is associated with organic molecules and not inorganic metals. These metallic-smelling organic compounds emanate when sweat from human skin corrodes iron metal. This generates reactive ferrous ions that break down lipid peroxides in the skin to create 'metallic-smelling' aldehydes and ketones. What we really smell is a human body odour as it reacts with the metal.
Reference if you want to read more: Glindemann, D. et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2006, 45, 7006 “
Hmmmm. Looks like the jury is still out on that one.
In the meantime, it seems like the chemists are stealing the show as we have another chemistry stumper from Jim Garrett:
“A colleague has been attempting to demonstrate the displacement of tin (as "beautiful crystals") onto a 'zinc tree' placed into tin(II) chloride solution. However all that was obtained was a 'furry grey solid'. This has raised a lot of questions & investigation, but no definitive answer. Included in the discussion was, for example, why copper placed into silver nitrate solution first goes black/grey before the (expected) silver crystals develop. Any suggestions/explanations would help solve a lot of friendly argument!”
Once again we doff our caps to the scientists and invite them to explain.
If you can help or have a burning question of your own then send us an email with STUMP THE SCIENTIST in the subject line to planet-science.news@nesta.org.uk
d) Which recent Pixar film is also the name of a mix of garlic, onions, peppers, courgettes and aubergines braised with lots and lots of olive oil?
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5. Activity of the Week: Magic Tea Party
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 A party? With Magic Tea? How s-s-s-imply splendid! But maybe all is not as it seems. Still – chill out and get in touch with your inner Rat…
You will need:
- One packet of sodium polyacrylate - you can buy it in garden centres as 'Water Retaining Gel'.
- Two cups (see-through if you'd like to see how this works, opaque if you want the trick version). Make sure you can dispose of the cups afterwards.
- Some water.
- A tablespoon.
What you do:
- Put a tablespoon of the powder in the bottom of one cup.
- Pour some water into each of the cups.
- Swish the water around in each cup and turn them upside down (you might want to do this over a sink because at least one of your cups will spill).
- Poke and prod the gel in the bottom of the cup with a spoon.
What's going on?
The water retaining gel is sodium polyacrylate. It is a organic chemical, a polymer made up of a long chain of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and sodium atoms.
The polymer looks like this &
CH2--CH(CO2Na)--
... over and over again. Have a look at the diagram of the formula.
 On its own this polymer is wound up tightly. When water is added the sodium breaks off, dissolving in the same way that salt (sodium chloride) dissolves in water. The sodium is a positively charged ion, and what remains, the carboxyl ion (attached to the rest of the polymer), is negatively charged. Because all the negatively charged carboxyl ions on the polymer repel each other, the whole polymer starts to unwind.
In a water molecule (H20) the oxygen atom attracts the two hydrogen atoms' electrons, leaving the hydrogen atoms slightly positive and the oxygen atom slightly negative: this is the water molecule's polarity. The oxygen side of the water molecules is attracted to the positive sodium ions from the sodium polyacrylate polymer. At the same time, the hydrogen atoms in the water molecules are attracted to the carboxyl groups of the polymer. The polymer has some cross links - so instead of a perfectly long line, the polymer forms a spread out net with water molecules held within it.
Adding other ions to the mix, such as salt, disrupts how the water is held in the gel. Adding salt to the gel turns it back into a watery liquid.
Special safety advice
Do not try and drink the liquid / gel, and don't use the cups after performing the experiment. Do not dispose of the gel down a sink as it may cause a blockage.
The Magic Tea party film clip can be viewed on Planet SciCast
Keep checking back for new films and, whilst you’re about it - how about submitting one of your own?
e) Ratty, a character from Wind in the Willows, was not actually a rat. What was he?
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6. Mouses at the Ready
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 'If you go down to the zoo today you'll be sure of a BUG surprise!'
Bring the whole family along to Dartmoor Zoo this Spring Half Term for a special 'Big Bug Bash'. The world of the insects and their chums will be the theme in a celebration of those creepy and crawly. Features will include:
- Full day animal encounter for the public with a vast array of bugs on show with a member of staff on hand to introduce you to our multi-legged friends.
- Face painting
- Make your own badge
- Colouring competition too.
- Plus a bug trail that will take you out into the zoo and learn some amazing bug facts.
Runs from Saturday 9th February until Sunday 24th February from 11am
until 4pm
See the Dartmoor Zoo site for more information.
When you are there you could check out Tazmin (pictured right) she is a furrabulous Amur Tiger.
And we have TWO family passes to give away!
If you’d like to win one then email us with your name and address, and the words ‘BUG BASH’ in the subject line, to planet-science.news@nesta.org.uk.
The draw will take place at 5pm on Wednesday 6th February.
f) Flushed Away is the story of an uptown rat who is flushed down the toilet. In the sewers of which city was it set?
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Lurve Quiz
‘Tis the month of Luuuurve and Planet Science offers you the chance of getting in touch with your feminine side by entering the Lurve Quiz. Mills and Boon have nothing on us. The highs, the lows, the viruses… what? You’ll have to find out. Get interactive and you could be in with the chance of winning a Medical Dictionary. What are your symptoms? You keep seeing a rosy glow? Everywhere you go Barry White is playing? A flying thingy keeps jabbing you with tiny arrows? Oh man, it sounds serious…
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Institute of Physics' Public Engagement Grant Scheme 2008 - Round 2
Are you a great communicator? Do you have a fantastic idea for making physics accessible? Can you inspire other people with your enthusiasm? Do you need some support to make your outreach activity happen?
If you answered yes to all these questions, then why not apply for a Public Engagement Grant from the Institute of Physics? The grants are worth up to £1000 and aim to support physics-based outreach activities throughout 2008.
Application forms and guidelines for the grant scheme are available online (link above or email physics.society@iop.org.
Closing date: 2 May 2008.
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Free Sixth Form Study Day - Imaging – Fri 14 March
The day involves a programme of lectures in the morning on aspects of scientific and medical imaging followed by optional workshops in the afternoon.
Mid-morning refreshments provided, but bring your own lunch
Afternoon: Optional one hour practical workshops based at university departments 1.45-2.45pm (please indicate if you wish to take part)
Programme begins at 9.45am, finishes by 2.45pm
Physics Department, University of Oxford.
For AS/A2 students who are interested in medicine or medical physics.
For more details contact
Chris Parkin, Education Officer
The Museum of the History of Science,
University of Oxford
Tel: 01865 277297 www.mhs.ox.ac.uk
Email: christopher.parkin@mhs.ox.ac.uk
For more information about the Museum of the History of Science education programme.
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Free wildlife ringtones
The Center for Biological Diversity is celebrating the 100,000th free download from its endangered species ringtone site. In keeping with its rising popularity, the site has received a complete makeover.
The site features free ringtones of seventy rare and endangered animals from around the world, including the polar bear, blue-throated macaw, northern goshawk, California red-legged frog, and American pika with the killer whale and Mexican gray wolf as the two most popular tones to date.
g) What was the name of Ron Weasley’s rat in the Harry Potter books?
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8. Recommended website of the week
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We thought we were bringing you a website called Ratlab. Topical eh? But it’s now changed its name to ilovebacteria.com. ‘The home of the geekiest science stuff on the net!’ it claims. See what you think.
With facts such as ‘Did you know that the average computer keyboard has 100 times more bacteria lurking on its surfaces than an ordinary toilet seat?’ we’ll be rushing to wash our hands immediately.
There’s an interesting and informative section on bacteria (naturally) plus a Fun Facts section. This may help to answer some of the questions you have tossed and turned over. Like why do paper cuts hurt so much? Have a scamper through the DIY Experiments – you may find inspiration for a much-needed practical. The Reviews section lists some great science links and – goodness me! Do our eyes deceive us? Isn’t that Planet Science in its old guise of Science Year listed there? Well say no more, this site has obviously got taste….
By the way, if you’ve got a good website to recommend then send it along to us
at planet-science.news@nesta.org.uk with RWW in the subject line. Thank you very gladly.
h) Rats were thought to be behind the spread of the plague which killed nearly one third of Europe's population (20 million people) in the 1300s. What was it called? 
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Remember last week when we were offering you ten packs of three Flipsides to give away (Oct, Nov, Dec issues)?
The lucky winners are Sue Wickins of Stockton, Lesley Wood of Harrogate, Paula Waller of Hertford, Craig Watson of Aberdeen, Emma Willing of Huntingdon, Den Golby of Hampshire, Erika Fjeld of Bristol, Ruth Potter of Manchester, Matthew Johnson of Dunstable, Rebecca Brett from the West Midlands. Well done!
i) Which rodent was pals with Kevin the Gerbil? Nyaaaaaa rat faaaans…
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10. Joke of the week
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Okay so this joke is about mice not rats. Still – a rodent is a rodent.
Management review of writing style
Question: How many feet do mice have?
Original reply: Mice have four feet.
Mgmt. Comment: Elaborate!
Revision 1: Mice have five appendages, and four of them are feet.
Mgmt. Comment: No discussion of fifth appendage!
Revision 2: Mice have five appendages; four of them are feet and one is a tail.
Mgmt. Comment: What? Feet with no legs?
Revision 3: Mice have four legs, four feet and one tail per unit-mouse.
Mgmt. Comment: Confusing -- is that a total of 9 appendages?
Revision 4: Mice have four leg-foot assemblies and one tail assembly per body.
Mgmt. Comment: Does not fully discuss the issue!
Revision 5: Each mouse comes equipped with four legs and a tail. Each leg is equipped with a foot at the end opposite the body; the tail is not equipped with a foot.
Mgmt. Comment: Descriptive? Yes. Forceful? NO!
Revision 6: Allotment appendages for mice will be: Four leg-foot assemblies, one tail. Deviation from this policy is not permitted as it would constitute misapportionment of scarce appendage assets.
Mgmt. Comment: Too authoritative; stifles creativity!
Revision 7: Mice have four feet; each foot is attached to a small leg joined integrally with the overall mouse structural sub-system. Also attached to the mouse sub-system is a thin tail, non-functional and ornamental in nature.
Mgmt. Comment: Too verbose/scientific. Answer the question!
FINAL REVISION APPROVED BY MANAGEMENT: Mice have four feet.
Received with thanks from Thomas Ellsworth.
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