The February 2012 issue of Physics World is out now

By Matin Durrani

The February issue of Physics World magazine is now out, featuring some great articles that I think I ought to tell you about.

Physics comes to life – Mark Haw from the University of Strathclyde and Otti Croze from the University of Glasgow explore the strange world of swimming micro-organisms – and how it is having an impact on biology, biotechnology and fundamental physics.

Gallery of whispers – Oliver Wright from Hokkaido University in Japan looks at a little-known effect dubbed “whispering-gallery waves”. Dating back to the work of Lord Rayleigh at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, it appears throughout science in fields as diverse as astronomy, optics and acoustics.

Securing the future – John Womersley, chief executive of the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council, explains why the country’s research community needs to safeguard its own future.

Careers, interrupted – Jan West describes the work of the Daphne Jackson Trust, which has helped more than 200 people to return to working in science after a career break.

Don’t miss either Rick Trebino’s Lateral Thoughts article “Fire in a crowded theatre”, while over in news and analysis, we have an interview with Italian theorist Giorgio Parisi entitled “The Italian activist” and an update on the work of the SESAME synchrotron being built in the Middle East. Plus enjoy Margaret Harris’s feature “Fermilab’s next frontier” in all its glory.

Members of the Institute of Physics (IOP) can read the new issue free online through the digital version of the magazine by following this link or by downloading the Physics World app to your iPhone or iPad or Android device, available from the App Store and Android Marketplace, respectively.

If you’re not yet a member, you can join the IOP as an imember for just £15, €20 or $25 a year via this link. Being an imember gives you a year’s access to Physics World both online and through the apps.