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 | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research

1 Contents

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research

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2 Editorial

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 3

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3 Europe in Miniature

Ewa Rzetelska-Feleszko

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 4-7

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Abstract

From the mid-18th century until 1945, the Carpathian land of Bukovina was the home of a richly diverse multinational community. Research on the region's Polish minority language and culture is helping reveal the secret behind the peaceful and happy homeland it once was.

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Authors and Affiliations

Ewa Rzetelska-Feleszko

4 Darwinian Demons

Janusz Uchmański , Anita Kaliszewicz , Violetta Hawro

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 8-11

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Abstract

If evolution of species was not confined by any restńctions, organisms would reproduce right after being born, produce the maximum number of offspring, and live indefinitely. Such hypothetical organisms are dubbed "Darwinian demons" Certain organisms do resemble this "demonic" ideal...

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Authors and Affiliations

Janusz Uchmański

Anita Kaliszewicz

e-mail:

ORCID:

Violetta Hawro

5 Icy Greenhouse

Stanisław Rakusa-Suszczewski

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 12-15

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Abstract

In its eternal battle against winter in the South Shetland Islands, summer is slowly beginning to gain the upper hand. The warmer ground and water are causing extensive changes in the land and sea ecosystems, which are further complicated by human activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

Stanisław Rakusa-Suszczewski

6 A Stellar Safari

Marek J. Sarna

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 16-19

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Abstract

The "big eye" fixed on the African sky, the SALT Telescope, has begun peering into the vast reaches of the cosmos. Are there great discoveries in store for it? Research findings have a way of taking everyone by surprise ...

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Authors and Affiliations

Marek J. Sarna

7 Vessels Under Control

Czesław S. Cierniewski

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 20--22

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Abstract

Angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels) is an important body mechanism that can nevertheless be "hijacked" by certain types of cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

Czesław S. Cierniewski

8 Bubble Clocks

Piotr Garstecki

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 23-24

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Abstract

Science has made significant progress in handling fluids at the microscale. Perhaps the most fascinating potential lies inherent in precisely-controlled methods for generating bubbles and droplets in miniaturized chemical laboratories.

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Authors and Affiliations

Piotr Garstecki

9 Beauty Illuminated

Barbara Miodońska , Anna Palińska

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 26-28

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Abstract

The flakes of gold used in illustrating the initial letters in old manuscripts gave them a shining effect that gave rise to the name for such miniature paintings: "illuminations" Despite their small size, these miniatures are rich in theological, liturgical and literary motifs.

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Authors and Affiliations

Barbara Miodońska

Anna Palińska

10 Amber Microworlds

Barbara Kosmowska-Ceranowicz

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 29-31

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Abstract

Like all precious gemstones, Baltic amber (more precisely termed "succinite") is struggling against an ever-expanding plague of better and better imitations. Electron microscopy, used as a method for distinguishing between amber and closely similar substances, is at the same time unveiling as-yet unknown secrets of these golden jewels.

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Authors and Affiliations

Barbara Kosmowska-Ceranowicz

11 Seeing Beyond Bragg's Law

Zbigniew Kaszkur

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 32-33

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Abstract

Recent years have seen a swift rise in the significance of new materials produced by nanotechnology, i.e. materials consisting of structural elements on the order of a few to a few hundred nanometers. Here we take a look at methods for studying the behavior of metallic nanoparticles, or tiny lumps of metal.

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Authors and Affiliations

Zbigniew Kaszkur

12 Our Winged Relatives

Andrzej M. Kierzek

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 34-35

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Abstract

Knowing the full sequence of the chicken genome will not only help us to breed more productive and healthier birds and to keep avian-borne diseases, such as bird flu, under control. By comparing the human and chicken genomes, we will also gain a better understanding of our own biology.

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Authors and Affiliations

Andrzej M. Kierzek

13 Economic Thermometer

Elzbieta Mączyńska

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 36-37

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Abstract

In this modern era of fast-paced economic changes, it is extremely important to evaluate what condition companies are in, i.e. to what extent they are exposed to the risk of bankruptcy. Based on a study of 500 companies in Poland, the Institute of Economics has developed a precise tool for estimating both the bankruptcy danger faced by companies, and their developmental potential.

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Authors and Affiliations

Elzbieta Mączyńska

14 Doing Alchemy with Ash

Arkadiusz Derkowski , Wojciech Franus

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 38-39

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Abstract

Power-plant waste products can in fact prove useful in purifying the environment, and even in washing our dirty laundry. Zeolites, an important component used in washing powders, can be obtained from the "fly ash" generated by power plants.

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Authors and Affiliations

Arkadiusz Derkowski

Wojciech Franus

15 Raider of the Lost World

Karol Myśliwiec

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 40-43

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Authors and Affiliations

Karol Myśliwiec

16 Microbiologist, Philosopher, Mentor

Krystyna I. Wolska , Mirosława Włodarczyk

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 46-47

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Abstract

Władysław Kunicki-Goldfinger devoted his professional career to studying the smallest organisms. Yet while scrutinizing the world under the microscope, he maintained extremely broad perspectives about the world at large. Of himself he used to say modestly: "I am a so-called scientist".

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Authors and Affiliations

Krystyna I. Wolska

Mirosława Włodarczyk

17 Renaissance Online

Wanda Pętlicka

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 48-49

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Abstract

Keeping alive ten centuries of history preserved on the pages of rare volumes requires not just sturdy, modern facilities but also institution staff able to keep up with the times.

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Authors and Affiliations

Wanda Pętlicka

18 Biotechnologists for Export

Magdalena Fikus

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2006 | Nr 1 (9) 2006 Micro Research | 50

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Authors and Affiliations

Magdalena Fikus