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| So you're into sci fi? But what about sci fact? Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction... Each month our very own Voyager Science Queen* will bring you interesting, quirky and downright bizarre tasty morsels from the world of science. And its all completely, totally, 100% true! November Sci-Facts |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE SCIENCE PAGE!! I counted up the number of pages I've done. This month I reach 60 pages!!! This means I have been writing the Science Page for five years... So, this month isn’t going to be a normal science page. I'm going to pick my favourite pages and discuss why I wrote them. These aren’t in any order of preference, by the bye. I loved the 'Hollywood Crimes' article. Willandra drew the most marvellous illustrations, and Lunetta inspired the actual choice of the topic. The article was fun, as I have a special fondness for special effects and this article gave me a chance to show off some of that trivia. Even the Myth Busters have played around with the 'exploding a car with a gunshot' myth. I like writing the 'April Fool' articles. The 'Chill Diet' by Elynn Neger (an anagram of Lynne Green) was my most adventurous. 'Cuddly Australian Animals' was a mix of fact and fiction...in case anyone thought a drop bear was a real animal. As a zoologist, that was a great article as I didn't have to do any research at all. I don't do a 'silly' article every year, because then you would be able to predict when I'm pulling a leg or two. Actually, any long time reader of the Science Page will notice certain topics fascinate me. I have written many articles with 'space' and astronomical themes, medical themes, and environmental themes (Green by name, green by nature). This isn't coincidence. These are the three areas of science that draw my attention, as I studied Zoology because of my interest in environmental matters; I have always wanted to be a real intergalactic traveller like on Star Trek or Doctor Who; and I work in a medical pathology laboratory. As well, you might notice that a lot of articles have an Australian theme. Well, yeah! I am Australian, and proud of it. I think many Australians tend to hide their light under a basket, and I see it as my job to lift the basket up and let them glow. As well, I have always tried to remain topical. If something major has come up in the news, I try to report it. The Mars missions, comet chasing rockets, the pharmaceutical scandals, the Stromlo Observatory Fire, the Discovery Tragedy have all had a mention. My favourites are the new medical breakthroughs, like the vaccines for cancer prevention. Over the years, the style of the articles has changed. At the start, they tended to be a bunch of smaller articles, with random themes. Then I started to give each month an overall theme, or I would write one large article. For a while, I threw in a lot of quotes – I adore quotations. Lately, the articles have been a lot more structured, with an observation or article, then a related biography, a 'Concept of the Month' and a randomly appearing 'Lynne's Literary Comment'. I always try to include any science related questions that have come up on the forum. It’s been a fun five years. I can never, ever run out of topics. You lot are not sick of me yet, I hope. :-) So I could be around to celebrate a tenth anniversary.
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| *The Voyager Science Queen is also known as Lynne Green So, who is this woman who attempts to entertain us with Science? Well, I really am a scientist. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Queensland, in Zoology. And, at the moment, I am working in a Pathology laboratory. I have always been intensely curious about every aspect of our universe, from the teeny tiny workings of the gene right up to the mind-bending forces that are twisting and knotting inside a blackhole. So, now I am sharing a brain stuffed full of trivia...and hopefully entertaining people at the same time. As well, I write Fantasy stories and novels. One day, I hope to have a book published, but don't hold your breath. Reading is my other major love, and my favourite authors are Terry Pratchett and Isaac Asimov, though I could list hundreds of others. If I had one wish, I ask for more time to write! Read previous Sci-Facts: Carnivorous Plants Looking for more scientific oddities? Have you checked out Dr Steven Juan's website? He is, quite literally, the wizard of odds! |
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