Two cultures united
Technology is bringing new powers, and new problems, to art research and conservation
IT LOOKS like an art lover's nightmare. A bronze nymph stands in a studio, head cast down, arm outstretched. Suddenly, a spot of red light sweeps across her body and fixes, like a marksman's sight, on a point on her left breast. In a flash, the light turns from red to brilliant white and begins to pulse. A crackling sound fills the air and a tiny plume of smoke drifts from the statue's surface.
This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Two cultures united”
Science & technology November 9th 2002
From the November 9th 2002 edition
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Elon Musk is causing problems for the Royal Society
His continued membership has led to a high-profile resignation
Deforestation is costing Brazilian farmers millions
Without trees to circulate moisture, the land is getting hotter and drier
Robots can learn new actions faster thanks to AI techniques
They could soon show their moves in settings from car factories to care homes
Scientists are learning why ultra-processed foods are bad for you
A mystery is finally being solved
Scientific publishers are producing more papers than ever
Concerns about some of their business models are building
The two types of human laugh
One is caused by tickling; the other by everything else