Office of Science & Technology - Volume 12

Volume 12 - December 14, 2006

Feature Articles

Nuclear Renaissance in the Age of Global Warming

by Sonja D. Schmid

With oil prices and global temperatures rising, the nuclear option has once again entered discussions about the world's energy supply.

Introducing Susanne Seitinger: Playgrounds Are Not Just for Children

by Stefanie Baumgartner

The 28-year-old Austrian Susanne Seitinger is investigating at the renowned MIT Media Lab how science and technology are shaping cities - and children.

The Dilemmas of Ranking

by Philip G. Altbach

Rankings are widely criticized for questionable or flawed methods as well as for the concept itself. Still, everyone uses them. An analysis by Philip Altbach of the Center of International Higher Education at Boston College.

Validity of University Ranking and Its Ascending Impact on Higher Education in Europe

by Jan Sadlak

Historically an American invention, university ranking is gaining influence in Europe, too. Jan Sadlak of the UNESCO-European Center for Higher Education takes a closer look.

Austrian Students Win European Young Scientists Contest with "Advanced Deicing System for Airplanes"

by Stefanie Baumgartner

One out of ten weather-related airplane accidents is caused by icing. Two Austrian students have found a solution to this problem.

From Rags to Research: the Life of Josef Stefan

by John C. Crepeau

Austrian physicist Josef Stefan is the eponym of a scientific constant, a physical law, and a series of dimensionless variables. Despite all of this, his life history is known only to a few.

by Marie Céline Loibl & Karolina Begusch - Pfefferkorn

Learn about Austria's new research program proVISION: Precaution for Nature and Society that promotes research on sustainable development.

Conference Report: "scope II: Sites & Subjects. Narrating Heritage" in Vienna - a Conference on Future Potentials of Cultural Heritage

by Robert Temel

New perspectives on cultural heritage were revealed during the conference that took place on September 28 and 29 in Vienna.

Leading Competence Units - a Node of the Austrian Economy

by David Mueller

A strategy paper published by the Federation of Austrian Industry outlines the significance of having multinational companies' headquarters in Austria and its impact on the country's economy.