Popular sciences

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Description

The „Academia” magazine was founded on the initiative of Professor Andrzej B. Legocki, a President of the Polish Academy of Sciences in 2003 – 2006. In the beginning it was published only in English as a reply to the growing demand for a current information on the Polish Academy of Sciences` activities, expressed by foreign scientists and Poles living abroad and interested in Polish science.

Since 2005 the magazine is published both in Polish and English.

The „Academia” is an exceptional - on the Polish market - scientific magazine for the general public, propagating achievements of Polish scientists here and abroad. Authors of articles in „Academia” explain their subject in a way that is accessible not only for all sorts of academics but also for students, pupils and all other readers interested in scientific topics for the general public.

ISSN

1731-7401

Publishers

Polish Academy of Sciences

Editorial Staff

Jolanta Iwańczuk (Editor-in-Chief, Earth Sciences)

Daniel Sax (Editor, English-Language Version)

Marcin Pietras (Biological & Agricultural Sciences)

Justyna Orłowska (Journalist)

Andrzej Figatowski (Graphic Designer)

Anna Bielec (Project Coordinator)

Scientific Council

Marek Konarzewski, President of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Chairman)

Dariusz Jemielniak (Deputy Chairman)

Andrzej Buko

Katarzyna Czarnecka

Patrycja Dołowy

Paweł Golik

Janusz Jurczak

Tomasz Kapitaniak

Marek Krawczyk

Krzysztof Nowak

Anna Zawadzka

Publisher:

Polish Academy of Sciences

Communication and Science Information Department

Defilad sq. 1,

00-901 Warsaw, Poland

e-mail: academia@pan.pl

Volumes

Select number

Content

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger

1 Contents

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger

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2 Editorial

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 3

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3 Science - A Great Challenge

Michał Kleiber

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 4-5

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Authors and Affiliations

Michał Kleiber

4 Alien Invasion

Wojciech Solarz

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 6-9

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Abstract

The hustle-and-bustle of our everyday lives generally prevents us from noticing the fierce, life-and-death battles quietly paying out around us, as incoming "invaders" ruthlessly conquer native species of plants and animals. Can we cope with this problem?

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Authors and Affiliations

Wojciech Solarz

5 Shooting Stars

Arkadiusz Olech

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 10-13

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Abstract

Space agencies like NASA spend millions of dollars trying to obtain samples of extraterrestrial matter. Nonetheless, several million particles of interplanetary dust actually fall into our atmosphere every day - how can such precious cosmic material be recovered?

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Authors and Affiliations

Arkadiusz Olech

6 An Endangered Language

Elzbieta Wrocławska , Jadwiga Zieniukowa

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 14-17

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Abstract

The Serbs are a fascinating indigenous Slavic minority in the German states of Saxony and Brandenburg. Having preserved their own cultural and linguistic identity through centuries of Germanization and despite Nazi persecution, they now face threats stemming from globalization.

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Authors and Affiliations

Elzbieta Wrocławska

Jadwiga Zieniukowa

7 Saving the Suslik

Aleksandra Gondek

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 18-21

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Authors and Affiliations

Aleksandra Gondek

8 Virtual Mine

Wacław Dziurzyński

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 22-25

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Abstract

Underground methane can be highly lethal, appearing suddenly and mixing with air to form a strongly explosive gas. Dealing with methane quickly and safely requires an efficient system of ventilation and monitoring, ready for any scenario.

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Authors and Affiliations

Wacław Dziurzyński

e-mail:

ORCID:

9 Here Comes the Flood

Wojciech Majewski

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 26-29

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Abstract

Can disastrous floods be avoided? The answer to that question of course has to be "no": we are simply unable to fully protect against these natural phenomena. Nonetheless, research on the course and consequences of floods is helping us to mitigate their negative social, economic, and ecological impact, and above all to avoid human fatalities.

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Authors and Affiliations

Wojciech Majewski

10 Art and the State

Dariusz Konstantynów

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 30-31

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Abstract

State patronage for artists and forging bonds between art and society, concepts promoted in the Soviet Union in the early 1930s, also won supporters among Polish artists, who saw them as a remedy for the "crisis of art".

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Authors and Affiliations

Dariusz Konstantynów

11 Precious Ponies

Zbigniew Jaworski

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 32-33

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Abstract

Polish koniks, a semi-wild breed of horse, are a kind of natural relic and a precious part of Poland's and Europe's heritage. Their unique biological and breeding characteristics have led them to be recognized as a reserve genetic resource for horse breeding. Due to their small numbers, they are also classified as an endangere.

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Authors and Affiliations

Zbigniew Jaworski

12 Invisible Danger

Bożena Moskwa , Władysław Cabaj

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 34-35

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Abstract

Although this cattle-threatening parasite conceals itself within the cells of its hosts, the routes whereby it spreads can be detected using modern diagnostic techniques.

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Authors and Affiliations

Bożena Moskwa

Władysław Cabaj

13 Shadows of the Past

Grzegorz Krzywiec

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 36-37

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Abstract

The spread of anti-Semitism in Poland during the interwar period was linked to the rising impact of nationalist ideology, as promoted by Roman Dmowski, co-founder of the National Democracy.

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Authors and Affiliations

Grzegorz Krzywiec

14 The Blame for Blooms

Grażyna Kowalewska

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 38-39

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Abstract

While the word "bloom" obviously has many positive connotations, the effects of the algal bloom phenomenon - now increasingly common in the Baltic Sea - are certainly nothing pleasant. Although the prevailing view is that mankind is to blame, that is probably not the whole story.

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Authors and Affiliations

Grażyna Kowalewska

15 Breathing Without Oxygen

Teresa Włodarczyk , Małgorzata Brzezińska

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2007 | Nr 2 (14) 2007 Danger | 40-41

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Abstract

Microorganisms invisible to the naked eye, billions living in every gram of soil, can have an impact on such global processes as the level of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.

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