Peculiar Periodicals
It turns out there are even more unlikely publications than The Journal of Unlikely Science. Every Thursday, our very own Dr Steer turns his attention to another improbable periodical.
This week: BIOFOULING
| Name – Quite astounding. In just ten letters they've managed to get me wondering whether I'm going to be enjoying articles about badgers playing dirty on the football field or erstwhile researchers pooing on pigeons. Sadly neither is the case - it's all to do with bioadhesion and biofilm research. I don't understand either of these words. |  |
) "click to enlarge") Front cover – It's a nice use of a microscopic view of something sticky, but somehow unfulfilling. Bizarrely I also have an irrational hatred of g's written that way. |
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| Off-the-wallness – As far as I can make out this is a journal dedicated to the study of how organisms stick to man-stuff: barnacles to ships, bacteria to teeth, pheasants to car radiators etc etc. You can't get too much further off the wall, can you? | |
| Usefulness – In the beginning I mocked the research. I belittled Biofouling. I was wrong. A heavy load of barnicles and the like can increase a ship's fuel needs by an extra 30%. That's a problem that needs sorting and sorting fast. |  |
| Impressiveness – "Mum, Dad, I've just had my first scientific paper published!" "That's wonderful dear, what journal is it in?" "Biofouling." "Oh. Well never mind" |
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| Overall – A bit up and down. Very strong in some areas, but its grip is weakened by outward appearance. However, I feel the world is a better place for a bit of Biofouling. |  |
Impact factor: Doesn't hit too hard, but once it's got you, it just won't let go.
Previously in Peculiar Periodicals:
The European Journal of Pain (34)
The Journal of Peanut Science (31)
The Journal of Happiness Studies (30)
Archives of Oral Biology (26)
See all the journals
More journal jocularity to come next Thursday. Until then why not find a phunny phobia?
Image: Marc Navarro
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