It takes a lot of rare natural resources and energy to make a mobile phone, laptop or computer, the modern technology we use every day. That is why many scientists would like to take inspiration from Mother Nature to help us to make more environmentally-friendly machines in the future.

This Catalyst article...

A Catalyst article looking at how to measure parts of carbon cycling as it happens in forests. Two of the processes used, flux towers and soil chambers, are described.

This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2007, Volume 17, Issue 4.

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In this Catalyst article scientists investigate the basis of memory using lab animals; this can lead to insights into human memory, and treatments for people suffering deteriorating memory.

The article focuses on two aspects of memory:

*the hippocampus, the part of the brain belonging to the limbic...

This Catalyst article looks at the topic of human memory. While it is clear that memory is essential in so many ways, there are many myths about how memory works.

This article explores some of these fairytales and explains what modern psychological science has discovered about how memory really works and why...

This article shows how a new understanding of how cells respond to lack of oxygen can help to reduce the tissue damage caused in heart attacks and strokes. The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 25, Issue 4.

Catalyst...

A Catalyst article looking at how modern archaeology uses analytical chemical techniques to answer questions about ancient civilisations and animals. Scientists working at the University of Bristol match compounds present in archaeological materials to those in modern plants and animals which were likely to have...

Seagrass meadows are an important environment in the Mediterranean and around Australia. They support diverse wildlife communities and act as carbon stores. This article explains what seagrass is, its value and the human threats to underwater seagrass meadows.

The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science...

This resource contains a number of articles explaining how statistics help us understand the world.

Investigating fingerprint types

This Catalyst article looks at the work of field ecologists, discussing how ecological studies require the gathering and processing of large amounts of data. This article looks at how ant populations are studied in the field and how their study can produce information about the way living organisms exist in the...

From the Wellcome Trust, this issue of the 'Big Picture' series reviews the causes, health consequences, and personal and social impact of obesity, and how it might be tackled.

How is body weight controlled? Why is...

This Catalyst article explains how orchids have evolved over millions of years to have a close relationship with the insects which pollinate them. Like many plants, orchids rely on insects to carry pollen from one flower to another in order to reproduce. Many plants offer a reward to pollinators, and so do some...

A Catalyst article about oxygen and how it is essential for most respiration, which goes on all the time in all live cells all living organisms. The article looks at how organisms get the oxygen they need from their surroundings and how it reaches cells. It also explores how oxygen transport is monitored, which of...

This Catalyst article explores how cyclists can use physics to explain certain limitations to their performance. Variables which may affect a cyclist's speed such as force, energy and power are considered along with formulas for calculating the correct amount of each in order to optimise performance.

The...

This Catalyst article looks at the process of photosynthesis, by which plants make a range of biochemical compounds. The article explains how photosynthesis actually ties in with growth. Respiration is happening all the time in all cells in all living organisms. Taken on its own, photosynthesis adds materials to...

A Catalyst article about phytoplasmas which are micro-organisms that affect crop plants modifying their growth. The article looks at the damage that they can inflict on crops which in turn can cause famine. Botanists are seeking to counter the effects of phytoplasma disease and the article looks at laboratory...