Popular sciences

ACADEMIA. The magazine of the Polish Academy of Sciences

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

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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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Ewa Rzetelska-Feleszko
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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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Janusz Uchmański
Anita Kaliszewicz
ORCID: ORCID
Violetta Hawro
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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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Stanisław Rakusa-Suszczewski
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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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Marek J. Sarna
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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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Czesław S. Cierniewski
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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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Piotr Garstecki
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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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Barbara Miodońska
Anna Palińska
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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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Barbara Kosmowska-Ceranowicz
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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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Zbigniew Kaszkur
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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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Andrzej M. Kierzek
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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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Elzbieta Mączyńska
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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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Arkadiusz Derkowski
Wojciech Franus
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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
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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

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