I might be wrong, but I'm interpreting "negative results" as finding no correlation, no event, etc etc. If that's the case, then I don't think there's any issue at all. In fact, I'd suggest that the majority of science experiments yield this kind of result.

Not really PhD related, but on the side, I'm doing a part time language course. I'd like to be able to record me reading out the vocab, encode it as an mp3, and then listen to it on my ipod when I get a spare few minutes. Can I do this with just a mic (internal) and something like Windows Media Player or itunes? Or will I need special software?

I'd suggest that the only way to find a partner who truly understands is to have a relationship with another PhD student, but obviously not one from your department, and I reckon this could make things tricky. Meeting such people is pretty rare though, at least for me...

Good question, and one that I certainly wondered about before I started. My answer - none. Your PhD will be in one very specific area, so I'd reckon that at least about 90% of what you read will be useless. If you can search for a review paper or two, that might be a good idea, but this depends on whether you have access to them. Certainly don't start paying for them!!

My advice is to enjoy Christmas. :)

Wow, horse sperm. How do you get hold of them? Will you end up with a PhD and big biceps?! :p

Hey Jojo,

I'm in medical science, so I'm very wary of most things in this area. However, there's a book called "Waist Disposal" by Dr John Briffa (a medic). It's aimed at men, but would do for women too (eek, I'm presuming you're female from your name but you might not be. oh dear). Anyway, I've been using it for about 11 weeks, and have lost 21lbs in that time (241 down to 220, although bear in mind I'm 6'6 tall!). It's a bit like the Atkins diet, but with more fruit and veg (within limits), and with far less chance of the headaches, bad breath/ketosis that you get with Atkins. Also, it's far more sustainable, and I'm going to carry on with it even when I'm down to my ideal weight. You can buy it from Book Depository for about a fiver I think, or maybe your local library will have it. Anyway, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I think the issue, well MY issue, and perhaps shared by others too, is that PhDs are like treading water. You improve your skills, yes, but you don't necessarily climb any ladder other than the ladder of academia, the PhD itself pays worse than being a low-skilled worker, and at the end of it there's no guaranteed job. I know I want to EITHER stay in science OR do something analytical with the transferable skills I've learnt, but is the PhD actually going to count for anything? I never really see jobs outside of academia or drugs companies which ask for a PhD.

I just sometimes get the feeling that 30/31 is too young to be starting on another new ladder, especially if you've nothing to your name.

Without going into too much detail, I'm going to be 30 by the time I submit, and perhaps just 31 when I actually take my viva. I'm in science, but is this too old to move into a new career path? I would have no house, no car, and not that much to my name at that point...

Opinions gratefully received.

Me too - toxicology.

I realise that this topic could be seen as taboo by some (not sure why, but that's the way it is). Anyway, I'm coming up to a birthday in my late 20s, and was thinking about starting a pension, but I haven't a clue where to begin. Does anyone have any tips regarding this, or regarding not putting money into a pension but putting it elsewhere? I'm also concerned that potentially doing a postdoc abroad for 3 or so years could cause problems with this, so in addition, if you have any experience of this, could you let me know?

Thanks!

Yes, those alarm clocks do look good. But soooo expensive.

So, I'll expand the question. Anyone used a lightbox and/or one of those wakey-uppy light alarm clock things?

Hi everyone,

Now that the nights are getting darker sooner (thanks, Scottish farmers!), I was wondering whether anyone has, or has ever used, a light box or similar to get through dark winters. I'm not suggesting I have SAD per se (I have lots of other mental issues, but I don't think SAD is one of them!), but am interested in hearing whether these things actually help brighten mood, lift gloom, and so on. Oh, and if you DO have one, which one? They seem awfully expensive...

Matt

Hi everyone,

Now that the nights are getting darker sooner (thanks, Scottish farmers!), I was wondering whether anyone has, or has ever used, a light box or similar to get through dark winters. I'm not suggesting I have SAD per se (I have lots of other mental issues, but I don't think SAD is one of them!), but am interested in hearing whether these things actually help brighten mood, lift gloom, and so on. Oh, and if you DO have one, which one? They seem awfully expensive...

Matt

Hi Cakeman,

In instances like this, where you want something that's available in a few labs, but not on the market, I'd suggest the following, in this approximate order:

1. See if your supervisor has ever collaborated with anyone who may have some, or know where you can lay your hands on some.

2. Get in contact with someone at your own uni who may have experience in production of this.

3. Consider contacting one of the authors of papers in your field where this fusion protein has been used - perhaps if you have one author who more commonly crops up in your work, you could try this.

4. Consider alternatives. I've never used, or come across, streptavidin-luciferase fusion protein, but I presume you want to tag something biotinylated with luciferase? Are there alternatives? For example, HRP-streptavidin? If this is a stupid suggestion, I apologise!

I'm confused as to why no one makes this commercially available...

Matt

I can't be sure, having never met you, but I'd think your chances are pretty good, depending on how you interview and your references. A 2:1 is generally sufficient for a PhD, and you have the advantage of ywo years' lab experience, which I think is crucial - good laboratory practice cannot be learned overnight. I don't think the gap will count against you, as you've explained it well here.

Good luck!!