Distilling a lifetime’s body of work down to two words seems slightly unfair. Contemplating our own two-word biography, we hope the words “no-talent” and “ass-clown” don’t make the short list. Ironically, for history’s most accomplished scientists – many of whom started entire fields of scientific knowledge – it seems a word or two is all that’s necessary to conjure up images of their greatness. Even if “ass-clown” was an appropriate phrase for a few of these mental giants, the words “Nobel” and “Prize” usually bump it down the list. See how many of history’s most famous chemists, biologists, physicists and mathematicians you can recall with limited information.
BenchFly Crossword: History’s Most Famous Scientists in Two Words
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Scared of Dropping the Soap? Worry No More.
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I realize that my audience here at BenchFly probably doesn’t contain a large number of prisoners, but I never claimed to cater to the majority. Also, you never know when you might end up incarcerated (wrongfully, obviously), so having a few science-y tricks up your sleeve is not a bad idea. And while this may not be a recipe for breaking out by dissolving the bars to your cell, it could make life on the inside a little better.
Put an End to Lab-Induced Crocodile Hands with Style
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Dear FlyGirl:
Throughout the day, I’m constantly taking gloves on and off. Regardless of the material (latex, nitrile), I always wash my hands after taking the gloves off because my hands either have that gross residue on them (powdered gloves) or they’re sweating (no powder). As a result, my hands are always dry and combined with winter weather, it’s unbearable. I’ve tried lotions, but then my hands feel greasy, which I hate when typing or writing in my notebook, so I end up having to wash them again- and the cycle continues… I’m guessing crocodile hands isn’t very stylish- any suggestions?
Hiring the PI’s Spouse and the Effect on Lab Morale
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“In group meeting today, I’d like to welcome a new member to our group, Agent Zero.”
“Agent Zero?!” You whisper, leaning over to a labmate sitting next to you.
“What are you talking about? He said ‘Dr. McIntyre’ – it’s his wife.”
“Then why does she keep turning her head and covertly talking into her shirt sleeve?”
“That’s called covering your mouth when you cough. By the way, take notes on that one.”
“Something’s going on here.”
“Yeah, you need to step away from the solvents before coming to group meeting.”
My Boss’ Spouse: A Spy or Civilian in Lab?
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Dear Dora,
My PIs wife just started working in the lab and it’s made things really awkward since everyone assumes she’s a spy for the boss. Is there anything we can do?
– biokid, graduate student
While You Were Out Notes for Scientists
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The lab is our workplace and in many ways it’s similar to any other job in a traditional office environment. We have a desk, a boss and a set of coworkers that on occasion can push our buttons. We even have TPS reports – although they’re more often referred to as “notebook entries” or “manuscript reviews” around the lab. However, when a co-worker steps out of the lab, an entirely different set of circumstances may ensue. Now we’re got an easy way to update the missing with the While You Were Out Notes for Scientists.
Group Meeting Bingo: Keeping Developmental Biologists Awake
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Few things are tougher than keeping your New Year’s Lab-olutions for the entire year. Being that this is just the first week back, we’re confident you were able to stay awake during this week’s seminar or group meeting. But alas, 51 weeks of challenge lie ahead and some of those weeks will be filled with seminars in a room that’s a little too warm, group meetings by a lab member that’s a little too boring, or lectures at a conference that are a little too early.
New Year’s Lab-olutions
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Happy New Year, BenchFlies! It’s that time of year again, when people around the world promise themselves they’ll drop 20lbs, or kick their pack-a-day habit, or actually use the gym membership they purchased months ago.
Happy Holidays! See You in 2012!
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(click image for a closer view)
Thanks for making 2011 a great year! We’re going to step out of the lab for the next week to recharge our batteries and to prepare for a number of big announcements we have prepared for 2012! Have a happy holiday season and we’ll see you in the new year!
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Increase Your Lab Efficiency (and Make Henry Ford Proud)
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Becoming more efficient as a scientist is constant struggle. This post will touch upon a couple of methods to help increase productivity that only take a few minutes to setup, but can pay serious dividends – standardization and delegation. While you may not find yourself in this exact situation, hopefully there is something you can take away. If you have any tips, tricks or systems of your own you’d like to share feel free to leave a comment.
