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 | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory

1 Contents

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory

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2 Editorial

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 3

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3 Shreds of Memory

Tomasz Maruszewski

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 4-7

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Abstract

What is memory? Why do we remember one thing well but forget another? Modern psychology is shedding more and more light into these corners of our minds.

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Authors and Affiliations

Tomasz Maruszewski

4 Gene-Coded Addresses

Katarzyna Mokwa

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 8-11

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Abstract

In certain bird species the memory of migration routes is retained through traditions passed on from one generation to the next, while in others it is gene-encoded and inherited within specific populations.

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Authors and Affiliations

Katarzyna Mokwa

5 The Milky Way's Neighbors

Ewa. L. Łokas

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 12-15

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Abstract

Over the last two years the known population of dwarf galaxies in the neighborhood of the Milky Way - faint objects composed mainly of dark matter - has doubled. These new discoveries may contribute to solving one of the biggest riddles of modern cosmology: the problem of missing satellites.

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Authors and Affiliations

Ewa. L. Łokas

6 In the Realm of the Devil

Jacek Lech

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 16-19

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Abstract

Thousands of years ago, before technologies for producing bronze and iron were discovered, human communities exploited various deposits of siliceous rocks, which they used to produce tools and weapons. We now know more than 250 flint mines from the Stone and Bronze Ages throughout Europe, including more than 20 in Poland. One of the most impressive is the ancient mine in Krzemionki Opatowskie (Poland).

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Authors and Affiliations

Jacek Lech

7 Immunological Algorithms

Sławomir Wierzchoń , Krzysztof Ciesielski , Mieczysław A. Kłopotek

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 20-23

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Abstract

Many innovative computer science techniques mimic nature in some way. For instance, an algorithm inspired by biological mechanisms of immunological memory can be used to identify thematic groups within very large sets of textual documents.

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Authors and Affiliations

Sławomir Wierzchoń

Krzysztof Ciesielski

Mieczysław A. Kłopotek

8 Giant Magnetoresistance

Józef Barnaś

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 24-27

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Abstract

The density of information stored on computer hard drives has been rising exponentially in the past few decades, doubling on average every year and a half.

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Authors and Affiliations

Józef Barnaś

9 Fleeting Memory

Joanna B. Strosznajder

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 28-30

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Abstract

Despite what was thought until recently, the physiological aging process of the brain does not involve the death of neurons. The memory problems that arise at advanced ages are chiefly caused by disturbances in the transfer of information between nerve cells and the degradation of synapses.

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Authors and Affiliations

Joanna B. Strosznajder

10 Molecular Roots of Memory

Leszek Kaczmarek

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 31-33

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Abstract

Our understanding of learning and memory has been greatly aided by molecular biology research on the complex processes which regulate gene expression.

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Authors and Affiliations

Leszek Kaczmarek

11 Crucified

Kamila Baraniecka

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 34-35

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Abstract

Among Poland's many Easter-time traditions are mystery plays which act out the Passion and Resurrection. Playing the role of Christ in such dramas, albeit difficult, is not an act of penance for actors, but rather a symbolic act in praise of the Savior.

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Authors and Affiliations

Kamila Baraniecka

12 Perfect Black Body

Stanisław Bajtlik

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 36-37

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Abstract

Research on the cosmic microwave background radiation, left behind from the early youth of the Universe, has already earned scientists two Nobel Prizes.

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Authors and Affiliations

Stanisław Bajtlik

13 Making Mountains

Marta Rauch-Włodarska

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 38-39

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Abstract

The world has become immersed in computers and their capabilities to simulate reality, yet in certain cases nothing can take the place of traditional methods and tools.

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Authors and Affiliations

Marta Rauch-Włodarska

14 Pagan Substratum

Karol Modzelewski

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 40-43

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Authors and Affiliations

Karol Modzelewski

15 Album Set in Stone

Marcin Machalski

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences | 2008 | Nr 2 (18) 2008 Memory | 46-47

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Abstract

Although the Museum of Evolution has existed since 1984, its history stretches back to 1968, when the first paleoontology exhibition was put on display in Warsaw's Palace of Culture and Science. In March and April 2008 the museum played host to the Fossil Art exhibition by world-famous paleoblologist Prof. Adolf Seilacher.

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