Science fiction writers were the pioneers of Mars exploration. In the early 1920s, Alexei Tolstoy wrote a novel about the socialist revolution attempt on Mars sparked by Soviet cosmonauts. In 1924, the novel was brought to the Silver screen. Read More
Most people have never heard of him during his lifetime. Before his death he was often referred to only as The Chief Designer, because the Soviet leadership feared that the United States would send agents to assassinate him. Engineer and spacecraft designer Sergei Korolev quietly developed the revolutionary rocket technology that we still use today. He is considered by many as the father of practical astronautics. Read More
Equine physiologist Chris Mortensen studies the influence of exercise and stress on mare fertility. His laboratory at University of Florida conducts research on reproductive function in horses and other mammals. Dr. Mortensen also teaches marvelous The Horse Course at Coursera, which is absolutely essential for anyone interested in equids. In his interview for metkere.com Chris Mortensen explained why horses are man’s and woman’s best friends and talked about their role in modern economy. Read More
Neuroscientist Michael J. Kuhar has been studying brain for decades. He focused his research on analysis of the work of brain through chemical signaling and the effect of drugs on the brain through receptors. In 2012 Kuhar published The Addicted Brain book and now teaches online course at Coursera of the same name. We spoke with professor Kuhar about his studies, addiction treatment and the future of online education. Read More
Photo by Alexander Dubynin.
metkere.com is launching a joint project with Eureka magazine dedicated to the scientific ideas born in Siberia. The first issue is devoted to the destabilizing selection and domestication of foxes. The idea of destabilizing selection was initially proposed by Dmitry Belyaev, first director of Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science (from 1959). Thanks to him we now have a better understanding of the domestication process in terms of biology, primarily for the ancestors of the dogs. And that seems to be universally recognized. Read More