Today’s physics news: Friday, 12 Februay

Mandelson fights on….. On academics’ hyperbole, 2-yr degrees and advice to unlucky students
Lord Mandelson, first minister for higher education in the UK, speaking at a conference in Nottingham, continues to defend cuts to the university sector.  The Guardian and The Independent highlight his criticism of precious, alarmist academics; The Times reports on his suggestion to create cheaper 2-year degrees; while the BBC reports on his advice to students who miss out on university places this year.

Guardian
Independent
Times
BBC

Government scientists reject independent advice proposals
Following the Nutt affair, many UK scientists have come out strongly against a proposal in new guidelines for scientific advice which suggests scientists should work with politicians to find common ground.  More than 80 scientists have signed a document asserting the proposal compromises their scientific integrity.

Guardian
BBC

NASA rocket launches for sun inspection
The US space agency NASA has launched its Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The observatory is designed to acquire detailed images of our star to explain variation in its activity.

BBC
Times