From "ta physika" to Physics - LXI

From “ta physika” to Physics – LXI

Over two decades would elapse from Newton’s awakening to his remarkable phase of study in the mid-1660s and his eventual commitment to writing the Principia. This chapter of his life is often filled with myths and folklore in popular history. Portrait of Isaac Newton by Godfrey Kneller, 1689. Source: Wikimedia Commons The entire era begins […]

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Altered Nitrile Rubber Created for Carbon Sequestration Uses

Altered Nitrile Rubber Created for Carbon Sequestration Uses

A straightforward hydrogenation process can transform difficult-to-recycle rubber waste into valuable upcycled materials. Functioning independently, two teams from Denmark and the UK utilized the nitrogen functionality in nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) to alter the chemical-resistant polymer into an absorbent carbon capture material or flexible polyol chain. Initial studies on actual post-consumer plastics – including disposable gloves […]

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From Ta Physika to Physics - 62

From Ta Physika to Physics – 62

**Newton’s Transformative Dialogue and the Emergence of Principia Mathematica** In 1679, a crucial dialogue between Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke reignited Newton’s interest in planetary motion—a subject he had investigated more than ten years prior. Hooke’s proposition about forces that inversely relate to the square of the distance revitalized Newton’s inquiries. Although initially, Newton refrained […]

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Examining Reaction Times from the Victorian Era in Relation to Contemporary Criteria

Examining Reaction Times from the Victorian Era in Relation to Contemporary Criteria

Reaction times have persistently served as a significant metric in the field of psychology, valued for their ability to illuminate cognitive mechanisms. Since the emergence of psychology as a separate scientific domain, researchers have diligently recorded reaction times as a parameter of cognitive processing speed—an approach that continues to play a crucial role in numerous […]

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Analysis of John Bargh’s “Before You Realize It”

Analysis of John Bargh’s “Before You Realize It”

I have a critique of John Bargh’s latest work “Before You Know It: The Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do” featured in this month’s Psychologist magazine. You can read the review in print (or online here) but the magazine only accommodated 250 words, while my original draft was closer to 700. I’ll include the […]

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The Dangers of Presuming Universal Wrongness in Others

The Dangers of Presuming Universal Wrongness in Others

**Comprehending the “Belief Superiority” Phenomenon and Its Effect on Knowledge Perception** Within the field of human psychology, the concept of “belief superiority” has captured considerable interest among researchers seeking to comprehend the intricacies of opinion and knowledge perception. Belief superiority describes a mindset where individuals regard their opinions as not merely correct but also superior […]

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The Basics of Open Science: Grasping Preprints

The Basics of Open Science: Grasping Preprints

Essentials of open science in 2 minutes, part 4 Prior to the publication of a research article in a journal, you can make it accessible for anyone to view. You may choose to do this on your personal website, but you can also utilize a preprint server, like psyarxiv.com, where fellow researchers also upload their […]

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Al-Ghazali's Impact Did Not Stop the Advancement of Islamic Science

Al-Ghazali’s Impact Did Not Stop the Advancement of Islamic Science

It is a recognized truth that medieval Islamic science achieved extraordinary advancements and later faced a decline, presenting an intriguing story for science historians. A widely believed misconception in this realm is the idea that Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad Ghazālī Ṭūsi, commonly known as Al-Ghazali (c.1058–1111), undermined Islamic science with his work, “Tahāfut al-Falāsifa” […]

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Investigating Animal Perceptions: Beyond Sight, Sound, Feel, Flavor, and Odor

Investigating Animal Perceptions: Beyond Sight, Sound, Feel, Flavor, and Odor

Senses are the means by which our brains perceive our surroundings. Many of us were taught in school that humans possess five senses — sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. We also learned that various animals possess similar senses, albeit within different ranges. For instance, while humans can perceive red, green, and blue light, numerous […]

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