Archives for April, 2012
Are bills regulating fireworks there to protect stupid people from themselves?
Posted by Greg Laden on April 30, 2012 Yes. But don’t assume you know a stupid person when you see one. Our governor just vetoed a bill passed by our Pointy Headed Republican Legislature which would have significantly reduced regulation on dangerous fireworks in the state, allowing everyone access to explosives that are currently banned. Which reminds me of a story.
New Catscans
Posted by Greg Laden on April 30, 2012 The latest in Cat Scan Research:
I reject your reality and I substitute my own
Posted by Greg Laden on April 30, 2012 I don’t know if this phrase … … originally from Adam Savage or if he’s quoting someone. I think it might be his. Today, I was in an internet argument with someone (can you believe how many people on the internet are WRONG???) and I used a phrase like that. Then I instantly lost the…
Would you like the USGS to place a seismograph in your home?
Posted by Greg Laden on April 30, 2012 So you can help them collect data????? OMG, this is so cool! The USGS is trying to achieve a denser and more uniform spacing of seismographs in select urban areas to provide better measurements of ground motion during earthquakes. These measurements improve our ability to make rapid post-earthquake assessments of expected damage and contribute to…
Remember that animation of an inflatable flying windmill?
Posted by Greg Laden on April 29, 2012 Here’s the real thing:
Happy Anniversary ACT UP
Posted by Greg Laden on April 29, 2012 Technically, it was a few days ago, but I missed it. Here’s Rachel Maddow’s coverage: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Why do most Americans doubt AGW?
Posted by Greg Laden on April 29, 2012 Features Michael E. Mann, author of The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines
Bear in The Cities
Posted by Greg Laden on April 29, 2012 For the second time in six months, a wild black bear was found wandering around deep in the urban zone in Saint Paul. I’m not sure what happened to the last one, but this one was killed by Saint Paul police under advisement of the Department of Natural Resources. To give you an idea of…
Forty Eight Hours of Interesting Discussions for YOU!
Posted by Greg Laden on April 27, 2012 Staring tomorrow morning, if you are in the Twin Cities, there is Lynn Fellman’s talk at the Hennepin County Library downtown. Lynn Fellman creates art that combines genetic data with creative imagery. Fellman will discuss basic genetic concepts, how art can uniquely express science concepts, and why many of us may find Neanderthal genetics in…
Santa Clause vs Alan Alda — Religion vs Evolution
Posted by Greg Laden on April 27, 2012 The attention of the Two Little Cousins and Huxley the Baby was easily diverted to the back of the house while Cousin Randy slipped out the front door into the cold dark night wearing the red suit and fake beard, carrying a bag of toys and a strap of sleigh bells. Suddenly, Cousin Chris exclaimed…
Are you worried about spider bites?
Posted by Greg Laden on April 27, 2012 Have you been getting bitten by a lot of spiders lately? Are you concerned about Brown Recluse Spiders?
How to live trap mice and squirrels
Posted by Greg Laden on April 26, 2012 Before reading any further, you need to know that the transport and release of trapped animals, such as mice or squirrels, is regulated and may be illegal in your community. Having said that, there are times when people want to live trap a mouse or squirrel, and this is one of the two times of…
A very good documentary about human brains and brain evolution
Posted by Greg Laden on April 25, 2012 Supporting Your Local Life Science Teacher
Posted by Greg Laden on April 25, 2012 Here is a way you can support the Life Science teachers in your local school. Give them a poster or a hat or a T-shirt or a book or something. I’ll tell you why in a moment. First, you have to find the teachers and start up a relationship with them. I have various relationships…
President Obama Slow Jams the News
Posted by Greg Laden on April 25, 2012 For realz.
Skepticism is a cultural phenomenon
Posted by Greg Laden on April 25, 2012 Skepticism is a cultural phenomenon. I know that many self-declared skeptics prefer to … ah … believe otherwise, or as they would perhaps say, they have deduced from pure principles using sound logic that Skepticism is rational behavior and there is nothing cultural about it. But they are wrong, and that is trivially easy to…
The Sombrero is Two Galaxies in the Same Spot in the Universe
Posted by Greg Laden on April 25, 2012 The Sombrero Galaxy’s Split Personality: The infrared vision of NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope has revealed that the Sombrero galaxy — named after its appearance in visible light to a wide-brimmed hat — is in fact two galaxies in one. It is a large elliptical galaxy (blue-green) with a thin disk galaxy (partly seen in red)…
Helium-filled, high-altitude wind turbine prototype unveiled
Posted by Greg Laden on April 25, 2012 An American company, Altaeros Energies, recently launched a prototype helium-shelled wind turbine that can be used at high altitudes. While the test run took place at 350ft above ground, the ultimate goal is a height of 1,000ft. Tethers send the converted power back to the ground. Compared with traditional wind turbines, the prototype garners twice…
Demonstration of the Double Helix
Posted by Greg Laden on April 24, 2012 This is a proof of concept blog post. Please give it a try and let me know if it works for you! Double Helix from the Wolfram Demonstrations Project by Sándor Kabai
California Cow Is Mad
Posted by Greg Laden on April 24, 2012 The USDA has just confirmed that a dairy cow in California had bovine spungiform encephalopathy (BSE) sometimes known as “Mad Cow Disease,” which causes Creutzfeldt-Jakob, a deadly human disease affecting the brain. The animal was about to be, or was in the process of being, “rendered” … turned into glue or soap, most likely ……
Don McLeroy on The Colbert Report
Posted by Greg Laden on April 24, 2012 Don McLeroy is the creationist formerly on the Texas School board who tried very hard to ruin science education both in Texas and across the United States. He is an ill informed, paranoid, mean spirited dick head. He thinks humans and dinosaurs walked the earth at the same time. I repeat. He was on the…
Criminal Charges Filed in BP Oil Spill (UPDATED)
Posted by Greg Laden on April 24, 2012 Yes, it was a crime; it was a crime against nature and against the law of the land, and now the first criminal charges are being filed, according to an exclusive report at NPR. “The first criminal charges in connection with the BP oil spill have been filed against a former BP engineer named Kurt…
Do you know who sang “The Rainbow Connection?”
Posted by Greg Laden on April 24, 2012 DON’T ANSWER AN DON’T GOOGLE IT Click here to record your response. Thank you very much, that is all for now.
Scientists do not have a sense of humor.
Posted by Greg Laden on April 24, 2012 …. or do they?
Prevent Sliding Board Fractures in Children
Posted by Greg Laden on April 24, 2012 Holy crap!!!! Hat tip: Charlotte
Brain Freeze Figured Out. Animated!
Posted by Greg Laden on April 24, 2012 I hate when this happens (falling into holes department)
Posted by Greg Laden on April 24, 2012 This is one of the hazards of being an archaeologist (it has happened to me a few times) but it is sad to see it occur with a private citizen. The moral of the story? Don’t be talking on your cell phone when instead, you should be scanning the terrain in front of you with…
Are you an IT Professional? Your help is needed.
Posted by Greg Laden on April 23, 2012 This is the second of two surveys designed to assess Relative Importance of various things in your profession. This survey is for anyone who works in IT, regardless if they are in higher ed, industry, government, etc. The more folks who respond to the survey, the better the results will be! The survey should take…
See? The Ammonia in Pink Slime is a Good Thing!
Posted by Greg Laden on April 23, 2012 It is not clear that Pink Slime has ever made anyone sick, but Tuna Scrapings certainly have. The difference? Chemical treatment of the former but not the latter, apparently.
, which is now available for the 
