“A University of Alberta Arctic ice researcher is closing in on some real understanding about the process that might be feeding rising sea levels.” Continue reading Mapping of Greenland may aid understanding of sea-level mystery
Daily Archives: January 18, 2008
Short bacterial protein is surprisingly versatile
“MIT researchers have discovered why an unusually short bacterial protein can have many more interactions than would normally be expected of something its size.” Continue reading Short bacterial protein is surprisingly versatile
Critical duck bouncing back
A translocated population of the Critically Endangered Laysan Duck has reached 200 in only three years.Anas laysanensis is commonly known as the Laysan Duck. It occurs in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, and nowhere else, though it was once found across the Hawaiian Island chain. They were nearly wiped out by 1860, confined thereafter only to Laysan Island. Continue reading Critical duck bouncing back
George Ayittey: Cheetahs vs. Hippos for Africa’s future
This grab-you-by-the-throat speech by Ghanaian economist George Ayittey unleashes an almost breathtaking torrent of controlled anger toward corrupt leaders and the complacency that allows them to thrive. These “Hippos” (lazy, slow, ornery) have ruined postcolonial Africa, he says. Why, then, does he remain optimistic? Because of the young, agile “Cheetah Generation,” a “new breed of Africans” taking their futures into their own hands.
Continue reading George Ayittey: Cheetahs vs. Hippos for Africa’s future
The Pope is a Dope, says Rome U
Pope Benedict XVI last night called off a visit to Rome’s main university in the face of hostility from some of its academics and students, who accused him of despising science and defending the Inquisition’s condemnation of Galileo.
The Pope is a Dope, says Rome U
Continue reading The Pope is a Dope, says Rome U
The Big Bird Count Coming Up
The 11th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count, run by Cornell’s Ornithology Lab and the National Audubon Society, is set for February 15th to 18th. Anyone can participate, and enter their results on line. Continue reading The Big Bird Count Coming Up
Natural Genetic Variation in Maize Nutritional Quality
They always told you to eat your carrots, to improve your eyesight. Well, a deficiency of vitamin A (found in carrots, and lots of other foods) causes eye disease in a lot of children. In areas where Maize (corn) is a significant staple, there can be a problem because maize varies a great deal in how much vitamin A it can provide via precursor molecules. A new study in Science explores this relationship. Continue reading Natural Genetic Variation in Maize Nutritional Quality
Genome Size, Adaptations, Constraints, Exaptations, Aptations, and so on…
There is a discussion on the internet about Junk DNA, that includes a discussion at Sandwalk (Larry Moran’s blog) … I made a comment there about genome size that was responded to by T.R. Gregory. I started to write my response in Larry’s Little Box, but realized that it would not fit. So it is here: Continue reading Genome Size, Adaptations, Constraints, Exaptations, Aptations, and so on…
Clay County Passes Controversial Evolution Resolution
[Post Revised]
According to one story:
After a public hearing Thursday evening to discuss a possible change in the way science courses are taught in public schools, the Clay County [Florida] School Board voted unanimously to support a change in the state science curriculum that would use the word evolution in the classroom.
The state Board of Education will scheduled to vote Feb. 19 on the change, which would require more in-depth teaching of evolution and other scientific topics while setting specific benchmarks for students to meet.
Source is here.
But according to other sources, things are not quite sanguine in clay county:
The attorney for the board said that the resolution came as close as possible to violating the Kitzmiller decision without actually crossing the line.
Source: Panda’s Thumb
I’m looking towards Florida Citizens for Science for some accurate information but not seeing it yet.
Robot Does Monkey’s Bidding
Two hundred pound robot lumbering along on tread mill, doing the bidding of a monkey several thousand miles away.An international and interdisciplinary team of scientists have developed a robot that will carry out physical activities in imitation of the activities of a monkey. The monkey and the robot are hooked together via the internet. The monkey has a brain-machine interface. When the monkey moves along on a treadmill, the robot mirrors those movements. The monkey and the robot need not be anywhere near each other, of course. In fact, it is probably a good idea to keep them in separate places. If the robot knew that its entire existence was really just to be an automaton doing the bidding of a monkey, if it realized that it was a mere simian-driven Golem, it may become depressed or go berserk. Continue reading Robot Does Monkey’s Bidding
Sadie and the Heckler
[Thanks, Analiese, The Anthropologist]