Column in 2005

Objections that the economics Nobel was awarded to two 'warmongers' miss the point of game theory, says Philip Ball.

The impulse to use statistics to forecast doomsday is an old one. But can we believe the numbers, asks Philip Ball?

The trial over intelligent design in the United States may seem new, but it's an old argument. To move forwards, argues Philip Ball, we'll have to look to the past.

Earthquake prediction may be a dark art, says Philip Ball, but data can still shed light on which places need protection.

Selling space trips and adverts may be the brightest way to keep the space station afloat, suggests Mark Peplow.

Einstein should be remembered for more than relativity and wacky hair, says Philip Ball

The conference season is upon us, but what factors guarantee the success of a meeting or doom it to failure? Henry Gee offers a novel perspective.

Can primate studies really tell us anything useful about child abuse in human families? Michael Hopkin thinks not, and says we should spare the monkeys the pain.

More than half of Britain's teens find science lessons dull. Henry Gee thinks they should simply get out more.

The legend of Galileo's 'leaning tower' experiment holds lessons for how we tell the histories of science, says Phil Ball.

A movement to 'save lives' by offering to host and raise spare embryos from IVF clinics pulls at the heartstrings. But Phillip Ball argues the idea misplaces good intentions.

A graduate student has just held a much-publicized meeting for time travellers. Sadly no one arrived from the future, although someone did show up in a DeLorean. Mark Peplow asks whether the notion of time travel is a dead issue.

Some adherents of 'intelligent design' think that holes in the theory of evolution prove the existence of a creator. Religious scientists with a sense of humour may have the best chance of debunking this idea, says Henry Gee.

The famous rule of thumb that predicts how quickly our electronics will shrink is 40 years old and still going strong. But its days are numbered, says Philip Ball.

The growth of home genetic-testing kits opens up a host of legal and ethical problems. Choice does not necessarily lead to empowerment, says Philip Ball.

Our concept of economic growth must change if it is to pull developing countries out of poverty, says Philip Ball.

Among planetary scientists, the tide is turning, says Mark Peplow.

A mathematical study of terrorist attacks need not leave us fearing the worst, says Philip Ball.

Attempts to date the Turin Shroud are a great game, says Philip Ball, but don't imagine that they will convince anyone.

The withdrawal of the drug Vioxx exposed flaws in a system designed to protect the public. But the battle over who is to blame ignores the fact that there is no such thing as a safe drug, says Simon Frantz.