Oxford Scibar

Astrophysics is the science of the stars, and more widely the science of the Universe. During this stellar event, Prof James Binney presents extracts from his Very Short Introduction to Astrophysics (OUP). You will learn about the rapid expansion of the field in the last century, with vast quantities of data gathered by telescopes exploiting all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the great advance of computing power, which has allowed increasingly effective mathematical modelling.

This month's SciBar was all about animal behaviour, how it has evolved and how we can understand animal societies better.

Oxford Scibar: presented by Prof Sophie Scott, on laughter and communication.

Type 2 diabetes is the epidemic of the 21st Century. There are 415 million people living with diabetes worldwide, and 90 per cent of them have Type 2. It’s increasing, costly and life-changing. Diabetes is the single largest cause of amputations, stroke, blindness and kidney failure. So are we doing enough to prevent it? Can we use our understanding of genetics to improve treatment and care? Professor Anna Gloyn (Oxford Centre for Diabetes Endocrinology & Metabolism and Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford) shares her view.

Find out with Dr Jennifer Coopersmith (Honorary Research Associate, University of La Trobe, Australia) how the Principle of Least Action is radically different from all that went before.

​Einstein’s theory of general relativity is possibly the most perfect intellectual achievement of modern physics. For almost a century now, physicists have been delving into Einstein’s theory, seeking an understanding of the history of the universe, the origin of time, and the evolution of solar systems, stars, and galaxies. Professor of Astrophysics Pedro Ferreira (University of Oxford) will tell us about the expanding universe, black holes and gravitational waves, and how general relativity has allowed scientists’ imaginations to take flight with new possibilities, revealing a universe that is much stranger than anyone ever expected.

Most people have what society regards as a ‘normal’ brain. How does this come about? Traditionally this can be thought of as a nature versus nurture argument with genetics directing the construction of a normal brain that is then receptive to environment influences. Prof Simon Butt (University of Oxford) will talk about a recently discovered scaffold in the developing brain that acts to constrain the impact of environment, highlighting how neurodevelopment can inform our understanding of normal behaviour.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) produces images of the human brain at work. These are both beautiful and alluring. This means that it is easy to over-interpret them; and unfortunately the media frequently succeed in doing so. Professor Richard Passingham (Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford) explains what scans do not show and then illustrates what they can show by asking an everyday question: why it is bad to use a mobile while driving?

For many years, psychologists have considered the fear of death as a central motivating factor in human behaviour and achievement. However, only for the past 30 years have psychologists tested these ideas empirically and experimentally. Dr Jonathan Jong (University of Oxford, Coventry University) evaluates the claim that death drives human behaviour, focusing in particular on religion.

This month's SciBar brings you talks by astronomers about exploring the mysteries of our Universe. recorded on 29th of July 2016.

Since the mid-nineteenth century, three species of bumblebee in the British Isles have gone extinct, and several other species have become so rare that they are at risk of extinction. In this talk, Dr Darren Jeffers will discuss the causes of the decline in British bumblebees; their key role in pollination; how we might reverse the losses and the likely effects of climate change. He will also share the results of some recent research using museum specimens of extinct species and proffers the question: Can we learn anything from these dusty depositories of ecological data to aid the conservation effort? - See more at: http://www.oxfordscibar.com/june-2016.html#sthash.mMHu3Sz5.dpuf

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted to humans through another living organism, such as malaria via the mosquito. This type of disease accounts for roughly 17% of all disease and causes nearly a million deaths annually. In this talk Prof Michael Bonsall will discuss vector-borne diseases, how we might control them and how maths and modern genetics might help. He will also provide some recent insights from work in the Zoology Department in Oxford on the unfolding Zika epidemic in the Americas. http://www.oxfordscibar.com/may-2016

Science and medicine have transformed our lives immeasurably, and never in history have they been more central to our lives and well-being. Yet despite this, there is often a glaring disconnect between the findings of actual science and media reporting of such topics, and consequently there is often a chasm between public perception and the evidence on many contentious topics. This can lead to needlessly adversarial and counter-productive discourse of everything from vaccination to climate-change. In this talk, physicist and science journalist Dr. David Robert Grimes discusses the frequent problems in reporting science from misunderstandings to bad statistics to false balance, and discusses the factors that influence this and how such problems can be remedied.

A poor diet is the leading cause of ill-health in the UK yet it is also one of the most contested areas of science. Is eating less saturated fat or sugar the most important factor or would the problems be solved if we ate more fruit and vegetables?. ​Join us to hear Prof Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health at the University of Oxford discuss what we know about nutrition and ask the question: once we know the theory of a healthy diet, how can we help more people to achieve the practice - education or taxation?. - See more at: http://www.oxfordscibar.com/#sthash.vraG75QP.dpuf

In her latest book, Spirals in Time, as featured on BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week, marine biologist Dr Helen Scales uncovers the secret lives of the animals that make sea shells (the molluscs) and ponders how people have used their shells for millenina as everything from sex symbols and money, to the inspiration behind new materials and medicines. Helen delves into the fascinating science of shells and molluscs, including stories of how researchers finally solved the mystery of how so many beautiful shells are made. Come along to hear about some of the latest discoveries emerging from this often underrated group that includes some of the smartest, oldest and toughest animals on the planet.

Are there gender differences in attraction? What are we looking for in a potential mate? Can you find someone attractive online? What other features make us more or less attractive? Listen to hear Dr Martin Graff, Reader and Head of Research in Psychology at the University of South Wales examine some of the research on romantic attraction and why attraction is important to us.

How can we use chocolate to understand the neurobiology of depression? Join us to hear Dr Ciara McCabe discuss how we investigate reward function in the human brain and how this is related to depression. Find out how this information can help explain why current medications might not be working and how, with neuroscience, we aim to develop better, targeted personalised treatments for depression.

Human-caused global warming has been making headlines for over two decades, but people’s opinions on it often depend on what headlines they’re reading. How is it that a scientific theory has become so politicised? Join us to hear Adam Levy (Nature, University of Oxford; @ClimateAdam), a climate change scientist and YouTuber, discuss the key scientific evidence behind climate change, and explain why perspectives on climate change shouldn’t be a matter of belief

Welcome to the tiny but well-ordered world of the nematode C. elegans. Professor Alison Woollard of the University of Oxford and presenter of the 2013 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures is a "worm person" - one who seeks answers to some of Life's most fascinating questions using this remarkable "model" organism that has so much to teach us about ourselves. How do we develop from egg to adult? How do our cells know what to do and why must some of them die? How and why do we age? Is there no limit to what you can study using "the worm"?

Scientist, journalist, comedian and author of the quite hilarious Guardian blog Brain Flapping Dean Burnett headlines our first ever science comedy event with his "I'm A Scientist, Get Me Out of Here" show! The evening also featured Alison Woollard, Professor of Biochemistry at Oxford University and self confessed 'Worm Person' as well as Oxford particle physics PhD student and winner of the recent Oxford heat of FameLab, Francesca Day.