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| THE MATERIAL WORLD
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| | | Quentin Cooper reports on developments across the sciences. Each week scientists describe their work, conveying the excitement they feel for their research projects.
material.world@bbc.co.uk | | | | | LISTEN AGAIN 30 min | | | |
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"For me science isn't a subject, it's a perspective. There are fascinating scientific aspects to everything from ancient history to the latest gadgets, outer space to interior decorating; and each week on The Material World we try to reflect the excitement, ideas, uncertainties, collisions and collaborations as science continues its never-ending voyage into the unknown".
Quentin Cooper |
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BIOGRAPHY
INTERVIEW |
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End Permian Crisis
A major catastrophe 251 million years ago left life teetering on the brink of oblivion. Opinions are divided as to what actually caused the catastrophe and what it actually was. Dr. Luann Becker published an article in the journal Science back in 2001, which suggested she had evidenceof an impact event such as a collision with a comet or asteroid. However, Professor Mike Benton has just written a book which collects together all the evidence for a volcanic eruption, plus what is known as a ‘methane burp’ as the cause of the end Permian crisis.
Quentin speaks to both Luann Becker and Mike Benton to try to unravel what really caused this mass extinction and they examinethe competing theories.
Michael Benton's book 'When Life Nearly Died: The Greatest Mass Extinction of All Time' is published by Thames and Hudson ISBN 0500 05116X
ISIS
Imagine conducting a science experiment in just two millionths of a second! The fast world of small science is used to probe the relatively big world of physics, chemistry, material science, geology, engineering and biology.
Scientists at the ISIS research laboratory near Oxford create and watch how these minute, high speed particles behave when they are blasted into a target. Knowing the physical properties of matter is fundamental when you're investigating new materials or probing existing substances.
Quentin speaks to Professor Bill David from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory which is the home of ISIS and to Professor Gabriel Aeppli, who is one of the hundreds of scientists making use of the facility. | | |
RELATED LINKS
Professor Mike Benton
Dr Luann Becker
BBC News - End-Permian - Impact Theory
End Permian - Impact Theory
ISIS
Professor Gabriel Aeppli
Professor Bill David
BBCi Science
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