Cafe Science

Batteries are a triumph of science-they allow smartphones and other technologies to exist without anchoring us to an infernal tangle of power cables. Yet even the best batteries will diminish daily, slowly losing capacity until they finally die. Why does this happen, and how do our batteries even store so much charge in the first place? Adam Jacobson gives the basics on batteries.

Some people love the feeling of cracking their knuckles, while others cringe at the sound. But what causes that trademark pop? And is it dangerous? Eleanor Nelsen gives the facts behind joint popping.

Is the science of Orphan Black realistic? Could we clone humans, or engineer them to have customized traits? We take a look at today's genetic engineering technologies to find out if designer babies and human cloning is, or should be, a reality.

His talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. "The earth is flat". "Home computers are useless". "Humanity is condemned to be starved". "Women are born inferior". Throughout the years, pioneering scientific discoveries overturn established theories, vibrant societies transcend dominant perceptions, bold individuals expand physical and intellectual limits proving everything wrong: This is the way in which we seek to improve our lives and to deepen the understanding of the world around us. At TEDxLimassol we are searching for the next refute in small and large things: In the universe and subatomic particles. In our societies and in our bodies. In our behavior, attitudes and perceptions. In our mental, physical and personal capabilities. Proving everything wrong is always the right thing to do.

Rocket scientists incorporate a number of different testing techniques before committing a rocket to flight. One of those tests is called a "static test." In this setup a rocket engine is fired while being anchored to a test bench. Fitted with instrumentation, the scientist can safely measure thrust, pressure, cooling, and other rocket data. Watch and witness from inside the inferno when something goes wrong.

Is it all just make believe?

A weekly show where we endeavor to answer one of your big questions. This week, a bunch of people asked, "Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?"

The earth has been through some major changes!

I almost broke my brain with a backwards bicycle for the sake of Science.

Professor Richard Muller, of Berkeley Earth Foundation, discusses his views on climate change and how he hopes we can leave a better planet for our children.

This is the solution to: http://youtu.be/QD3hbVG1yxM

How exactly does meditation affect your body?

Just how small are atoms? And what's inside them? The answers turn out to be astounding, even for those who think they know. This fast-paced animation uses spectacular metaphors (imagine a blueberry the size of a football stadium!) to give a visceral sense of the building blocks that make our world.

So you know a bit about the Big Bang - but did you know that you can physically see or hear it in your every day life? Find out how 'static' often contains remnants from this monumental event.

Are we entering the post-antibiotic era? Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise, with millions of infections reported every year and thousands of deaths. How does antibiotic resistance work? How did we get here? And what can we do in the future to make sure that papercuts don't spell a death sentence?

How did the universe begin -- and how is it expanding? CERN physicist Tom Whyntie shows how cosmologists and particle physicists explore these questions by replicating the heat, energy, and activity of the first few seconds of our universe, from right after the Big Bang.

When you stare up at the night sky, you might think that the universe is really black, but that's just because our eyes aren't sensitive enough to see the billions and billions of multicolored stars out there. Ever wonder why certain stars are certain colors? And what color is our sun, really? If we looked at enough stars, could we figure out the average color of the universe?

Which of your sick remedies are actually helping?

Who do you see?

For most of history, scientists weren't quite sure why our hearts were beating or even what purpose they served. Eventually, we realized that these thumping organs serve the vital task of pumping clean blood throughout the body. But how? Edmond Hui investigates how it all works by taking a closer look at the heart's highly efficient ventricle system.

James May imparts his wisdom on all things bullets.