Jigsaw puzzle by Nina Torr
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January Weiner

The father is a retired professor of ecology at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków and the author of the “Życie i ewolucja biosfery” [The Life and Evolution of the Biosphere] textbook. The son is a biologist working at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin and the invaluable author of many popular science articles for “Przekrój”. Both bear the name of the grandfather, January Weiner. This article is not their first joint piece of work; they are also the authors of a text book on the art of writing a scientific thesis.
We Are All Colonies
Soul + Body, World + People
Wellbeing, Science

We Are All Colonies

The immune system is both complex and rich; a collection of specialized cells that work together to defend our bodies from viruses and bacteria.
January Weiner
The World Is Dead, Long Live the World!
World + People
Science

The World Is Dead, Long Live the World!

Approximately 541 million years ago, the Cambrian Period began. With it came an explosion of life, never before seen in the history of the world.
January Weiner
A Journey to the Source of Life
World + People
Science

A Journey to the Source of Life

The planet Earth was formed around 4.5 billion years ago; one billion years or so later, the first life forms emerged. What exactly created these initial microorganisms?
January Weiner
The World’s Oldest Doctor
Soul + Body
Wellbeing

The World’s Oldest Doctor

The efficacy of medical treatments can be influenced by many factors. Our correspondent details the success of the placebo effect, and the importance of double-blinding.
January Weiner
Genetic Marginalia
World + People
Science

Genetic Marginalia

The genome is like a cookbook; an old one with stains and notes in the margins. A biologist describes the fascinating discoveries of epigenetics.
January Weiner
Spurious Savannas
World + People
Science

Spurious Savannas

Evolutionary psychology often provides simple explanations that ignore the effects of culture on human behaviour. Our correspondent explores one of science’s more spurious branches.
January Weiner
Ghoti in the Machine
World + People
Science

Ghoti in the Machine

Replicability is a cornerstone of scientific research, but is often lacking from studies. Our correspondent explores the replication crisis, with the help of a dead salmon.
January Weiner