- Stay Connected
University Observer elsewhere on the interwebs
Nuclear lessons to learn
While an extreme case, those in Fukushima would do well to learn from the lessons of Chernobyl, writes Katie Hughes…
Preempting fate
As a result of the current state of prenatal screenings for Irish women, a simple procedure can become so complex, writes Alison Lee…
The mind behind meteorology
When Darwin embarked on his famous voyage on the HMS Beagle, another revolutionary scientist was on board. Alison Lee reveals the life and achievements of Robert FitzRoy…
Old Wives Tales debunked – Shellfish for sex
Can oysters help improve your sex drive? Let Alison Lee inform you first before you change your entire diet to shellfish…
A brief history of Daylight Saving
Hopefully everyone has adjusted after that one hour less in bed on Sunday and we can all look forward to brighter, longer evenings now that we have made the switch…
Scientific sacrifice
From experiments on prisoners to instilling fear into a nine-month-old child, Alan Coughlan investigates the darker side of scientific endeavour.…
Old Wives’ Tales: The truth behind toad licking
This fortnight, our resident old wife Alison Lee delves into the slimy world of toad licking to see what highs or lows they bring…
Lucky number 13
Are you an Ophiuchan? Alan Coughlan looks into the implications of the recently introduced thirteenth star sign…
Creature comforts
Animals have aided us in the development of new cures and drugs but, as recent reports have indicated, they are poorly treated despite this important role, writes Alison Lee…
The rise of the counter-culture
Following Boots’ plans to make the morning-after pill available over the counter, Colm MacEochagain looks at the attitudes towards women’s health and contraception…
Old Wives’ Tales: To spit or to swallow?
Chewing has been a popular vice for some time now. But what are the effects of swallowing it, asks Alison Lee…
An ill-fated system
With our health system becoming increasing inefficient, Colm MacEochagain looks at whether the general election will heal the wounds of the HSE…
The wells run cheap
Does the oil industry really deserve the bad image it has been receiving of late? Alan Coughlan investigates the dirty world of energy production…
Old Wives’ Tales Debunked: A dog is a man’s best friend
Are you a dog or a cat person? Alison Lee explains which creature is more likely to eat you…
The history of medicine
How did we come from drilling holes in our skulls to complex procedures such as organ transplants and keyhole surgery? Ekaterina Tikhoniouk explains…
Trials for life
In light of the significantly increased number of volunteer participants in drug trials recently, Colm MacEochagain weighs up the pros and cons of risking one’s health for money…
The stages of drug trials
The process of creating drugs in a laboratory to being able to purchase them over the counter is a long one. Sometimes it can take a period of over ten…
Birds of a feather fall together
Birds falling from the skies and countless fish washing ashore, Caitriona Farrell asks what is happening to the world’s animals?…