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Thought this unusual evening event next Thursday at Imperial College London (where I work) might be of interest to families with older teenagers maybe considering studying science at uni? Or a quirky date night for grown ups?!


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"The science behind our fears"


From mad scientists to brain-eating zombies, Halloween is steeped in the weird and wonderful world of science. Join the first Imperial College London Fringe event, where we take a lighthearted look at the science behind our fears, from brains to pandemics via sleep research and a zombie apocalypse.


The Imperial Fringe is a series of monthly evening public events exploring the unexpected side of science. All events are free and open to all. Prepare to think in new dimensions as you join us on a voyage of discovery and debate, inspired by Imperial?s groundbreaking research.


Date: Thursday 25 October 2012

Time: 18.00 ? 21.00


Venue: Main Entrance, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ


Activities include:


* Can we die of fright? Look at how hearts cope with stress, and even touch one if you?re brave! With cardiologist Sian Harding

* Take a tour of a real human brain with neuropathologist Steve Gentleman

* How would zombies, vampires and werewolves measure up in the world of infectious disease? Become infected, and learn about your new contagion with epidemiologist Deirdre Hollingsworth

* Join our resident soapbox scientist Leon Vanstone as he gears up the Imperial tricycle to take you on a journey to the ends of the Earth. Where will you go and will you survive?

* Catch a glimpse of our sleeping brain waves and find out what happens while we snooze with sleep and respiratory physiologist Mary Morrell

* Meet some of the robots made by the Imperial College Robotics Society, and find out whether we should fear the future of AI?

* Create an illustrated comic book of your fears with Neurocomic

* Enjoy drinks or nibbles at our pay bar, open throughout


Don?t miss three talks by Frank Swain, science writer and broadcaster, who is currently writing How to make a Zombie, The real life (and death) of reanimation and mind control.


Talk 1: 18.15 ? 18.45 ? The search for zombie poison

Talk 2: 19.15 ? 19.45 ? Reanimation: the two hundred year long quest to raise the dead

Talk 3: 20.15 ? 20.45 ? Parasitic mind control: are you already a zombie?


Full details at http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/eventssummary/event_20-8-2012-10-33-31

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