Two words awarded

Roa Zubia, Guillermo

Elhuyar Zientzia

Rementeria Argote, Nagore

Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

1st prize: On our wild side. 2nd Prize: Beetles, forest correspondents. 3rd Prize: Small smell of molecule! Special prize: Ozone layer hole

1st prize:
For our wild side

Author: Related information

You have selected a curious structure for your article. Why did you organize it like this?

The structure of the article is similar to the system we use when surfing the Internet. If something interests us especially in the text, there is a link to other information. I have also made links in the main text to small secondary texts. Thus, as the main text is read, we can read these other small texts, depending on the personal interest. In addition, these small secondary texts are related to each other. This allows each person to take a different tour. You have the option to click on the paper.

G. Roa
"The strength of sex is undeniable..." Why?

Because the strongest sense of self is to transmit your information to the next generations. That is why conflicts arise for the fertilization of the female, for example. Because everyone wants to transmit his own. That moves us all, at least it seems.

You've taken some work to write the article...

The truth is that I had the subject in mind, so the most important work was writing on paper. At first it seemed very linear and could be quite heavy. Actually the topic is very broad; within this topic you can make a lot of connections. So, I started thinking about how it could be done and until I decided to use this type of presentations, I spent some time. But the truth is that I made it pretty inspired.

Is this your first outreach experience?

Yes, this is the first article I have written. And I'm looking forward, and even more so after this award. To me the disclosure seems very beautiful. After all, enriching others is beautiful and better if you have the opportunity to enrich yourself with what you know. I love it.

2nd Prize:
Beetles, forest correspondents

Author(s): Jokin Lapaza Rodriguez, Manuel Mendez Manuel and Eneko Salaberria de Miguel

Photography
Why the beetles?

We wrote a scientific article about beetles and found it nice to write an informative article taking advantage of their data.

The article also explains the problem of dead wood. Does society begin to perceive the importance of dead wood in forests?

In addition to dead wood, we are now seeing more sensitivity to the environment, sustainable development, the Kyoto Protocol... It's time. In fact, declining biodiversity and habitat loss is one of the most important factors, including dead wood. In this sense, beetles are good indicators for measuring habitat loss in the absence of dead wood.

3rd Prize:
Small smell of molecule!

Author: Related information

Photography
Why have you chosen a theme related to odors?

I like smells a lot, I have always found that world of smell strange. And for so many years working in the organic chemistry laboratory, when opening the bottles I liked to smell. And then I was curious to know what chemical compounds produce the smells of the laboratory or those we smell daily. And so I started collecting information.

Smell is one of the most mysterious of the senses, right?

Yes, I was surprised. When I started collecting information and reading, I thought they knew much more about smell and I realized they still know very little. Well, this year's Nobel laureates have made it clear: the biggest advance has been that of the last ten years.

Special prize:
Ozone layer hole

Author: Mikel Gorrotxategi Zipitria

Photography
You have written about ozone. The theme is up to date, but it seems to be going out of fashion...

Yes. At present the ozone hole problem persists, but it seems that people have already forgotten it. Why don't I know. However, CFCs, compounds that damage the ozone layer, are already outlawed. When the ozone layer issue was fashionable, CFCs were banned and since then people have somehow forgotten.

Do you think it will take many years to see the results of this ban?

As I have read, we will have to wait about 50 years to see that the ozone layer is forming, according to experts.

Babesleak
Eusko Jaurlaritzako Industria, Merkataritza eta Turismo Saila