The growing inaccessibility of science

Article Abstract:

A new technique for gauging how difficult texts are to read bears out the widespread belief that science-oriented writings are becoming progressively harder for nonscientists to comprehend. The technique gives each text a difficulty score derived from the words its author chose from the entire English lexicon of about 600,000 words; the higher the score, the less familiar were the words selected for use. The increasing specialization of the scientific vocabulary may cut ordinary people off from any hope of understanding current research.

Evaluation, Column, Scientific literature, Science literature

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Growing season extended in Europe

Article Abstract:

Changes in seasonal plant and animal activity may be a useful indicator of changes in the biosphere. Observational data from the International Phenological Gardens (IPG) between 1959 and 1993, has been analyzed and spring events were found to have advanced by six days, while autumn events have been delayed by 4.8 days, meaning that the annual growing season has lengthened by 10.8 days, attributed to air temperature changes.

Phenology

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Core missions under growing pressure

Article Abstract:

Natural history museums have three key goals, conservation of collections, public understanding and research. However, Quentin Wheeler from Cornell University, New York, believes that museums often follow the orientations of outside grant agencies and universities, rather than asserting their key goals. Museums come under pressure to meet the public demand for increasingly expensive, theme-park style exhibitions.

Natural history museums

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