Showing results for "Double Life" in Science

The discovery of DNA’s structure is the story of five towering minds in pursuit of the advancement of science, and for almost all of them, the prospect of fame and immortality: Watson, Crick, Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins, and Linus Pauling. Howard Markel skillfully recreates the intense intellectual journey, and fraught personal relationships, that ultimately led to a spectacular breakthrough. But it is Rosalind Franklin - fiercely determined, relentless, and an outsider at Cambridge and the University of London in the 1950s - who becomes a focal point for Markel.

In 2010, scientists led by J. Craig Venter became the first to successfully create "synthetic life" - putting humankind at the threshold of the most important and exciting phase of biological research, one that will enable us to actually write the genetic code for designing new species to help us adapt and evolve for long-term survival. The science of synthetic genomics will have a profound impact on human existence, including chemical and energy generation, health, clean water and food production, environmental control, and possibly even our evolution.

Whether you’re just dipping your fingers into Braille study for the very first time, or you’ve been reading dots for decades, this show has something for you. We’ll chat about everything from simple, low tech tools to the latest high tech devices, explore great places to find Braille books and materials, and even take a trip through history to remember the gadgets and devices we loved—or maybe forgot about. So come along for the journey, and check out at Your Fingertips: Braille Then and Now. There's something here for everyone!