Catalyst Volume 16 Issue 4

This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles:

Life in the Balance?

Much of the Earth's biodiversity appears to be teetering on the brink of a man-made extinction crisis. Scientists have suggested that, unless urgent action is taken now, many species will disappear in the next 50 years. This article looks at some of the issues involved.

Cooler Times Ahead?

Scientists have found that the overturning circulation in the Atlantic Ocean, which maintains Europe’s moderate climate, was weaker in 2004 by 30% relative to earlier estimates. What does this mean and what impact could it have on Europe’s climate?

Venus Express

The European Space Agency (ESA) has sent the Venus Express spacecraft to explore the planet. What is to be gained by the visit?

Minerals and Rock Structure

The rock cycle is responsible for the formation of many different types of rocks and minerals. This article explores the formation of minerals, their composition and their internal structure.

Physics Connections

2005 was the International Year of Physics - also known as Einstein Year. In the century since Einstein’s “annus mirabilis” there has been a revolution in the study of physics. This article explores the links between some of the architects of this revolution.

Predator and Prey - Try This

This article looks at experimenting with waterboatmen.

Educational Psychology - Careers

This article explores careers in educational psychology.

Oceanographers

This article looks how scientists detect changes in the oceans.

Catalyst is a science magazine for students aged 14-19 years. Annual subscriptions to print copies of the magazine can be purchased from Mindsets.