A nose for heights

First, a reminder to academics that this is the season of goodwill to all men, even those without a chair at a big university. One senior scientist was overheard being introduced to a young communications person at the rather raucous Science Media Centre party at the Royal Institution last week. "Yes, we have met," the scientist said, looking witheringly down his nose. "I talked to you for some time thinking you ran your organisation. But then I found out that you simply make the coffee."

The academic ego is alive and well.