The scientific method is commonly portayed as a series of special steps that scientists follow in order to build an objective knowledge of nature. However, on the contrary to popular belief, experimentation is not the only way to do science. In this article, part of CienciaPR's collaboration with El Nuevo Día, Wilson González Espada explains a little bit about how real science is not linear, but cyclic.

With a wipe, a duster or the vacuum cleaner, we spend hours trying to eliminate dust from our homes. What most people don’t know is that part of the dust at home is made of pieces of our own skin. As the body creates new skin cells, we get rid of the old, dead cells, which become food for microscopic animals called dust mites. This article is part of our collaboration with El Nuevo Dia.

A biosensor is a material that has a biological component that identifies the presence of an analyte, which is whatever you are interested in studying or measuring. A typical biosensor is formed by three parts: a biological element (an enzyme or protein that reacts with the analyte), a medium where both compounds can associate, and a detection element that detects the analyte to be studied. A very common example of a biosensor is the strips used by diabetics to measure their blood sugar levels. This article is part of our collaboration with El Nuevo Dia.

In a trial, evidence is essential. In our Justice System, an individual is considered and found guilty only if there is sufficient and plenty of evidence against him. In science, evidence is very important too. But evidence is not always easy to find. When lacking evidence, we should use William de Occam’s -a priest from the XIV century with much interest in logic and science- advice. He suggested that we should, at least temporarily, while we gather evidence, the explanation that requires the least amount of suppositions. This article is part of CienciaPR’s collaboration with El Nuevo Día.