Sheril R. Kirshenbaum
sheril
Posts by this author
May 15, 2008
One week ago I left for the 33rd Annual AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy...So what went on over two days in our nation's capitol? LOTS!
The event was fantastic! In fact, with so many wonderful contributions, there's no way I could possibly do it justice with a single post, so I'll…
May 14, 2008
A couple months ago, we learned that the Vatican named pollution a new sin and now it seems they like astronomy too...
Funes [Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory] said science, especially astronomy, does not contradict religion... The Bible "is not a science book," Funes said, adding that…
May 13, 2008
I'm pleased to make my first cameo appearance in the Scientiae Carnival, the 'best blogging on women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics!'
This month's collection is hosted by FlickaMawa of A Cat Nap and the theme is career paths, perspective, and changing self-image. Go check it…
May 12, 2008
Democrats, Republicans agree on need, disagree on issues; health care tops list
WASHINGTON--May 12, 2008-- A new poll shows that 85% of U.S. adults agree that the presidential candidates should participate in a debate on how science can be used to tackle America's major challenges. The poll found…
May 12, 2008
No, this is not my leg (I plan to stay ink-free), but the appendage belongs to a favorite girlfriend and former bandmate. She's a soil scientist with a passion for the lovable preying mantis and I suspect I've just witnessed the creation of the coolest science tattoo this millennium...
Check out…
May 10, 2008
I'm back from the AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy, which brought together an incredible group of speakers and moderators. I remain humbled and honored to have been involved and will have details on this spectacular event next week.
In the mean time, I must figure out what to do…
May 9, 2008
Over at Island of Doubt, you'll find Carnival of the Blue 12, 'A celebration of all things wet and wonderful'. This month features contributions from both The Intersection and Correlations.
I especially enjoyed reading Jame's take on my April 28th post that explained NOAA's never been authorized…
May 8, 2008
I'm back in the District to speak at the 33rd Annual AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy alongside Adam Bly and Dr. Anthony Crider. We'll be discussing 'Science and the New Media' and there's still time to participate online!
I'm looking forward to connecting with SciBling Jessica Palmer…
May 7, 2008
Myanmar ranks #4 in the world for annual forest area lost per year. Between 2000 and 2005, the country lost, on average, 466,000 hectares per year which puts their annual deforestation rate at 1.45% based on FAO statistics.
Given deforestation results in higher flooding and erosion rates and…
May 5, 2008
A death toll this high is unfathomable. No words beyond a reminder we collectively share this pale blue dot and must now do all we can to help the people of Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.
May 5, 2008
* UPDATE: The death toll from the Myanmar cyclone has exceeded 10,000 people. *
For over a week, we've been watching and worrying about Cyclone Nargis from halfway around the world. The storm hit Maynmar on Saturday with wind speeds reaching 190km/h (120mph).
YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) -- Almost 4,000…
May 5, 2008
While I love Randy Olson's 'Flock Of Dodos', one science documentary remains the most memorable of all... 'Cane Toads: An Unnatural History'. I had the pleasure of watching this fantastic film once again with a number of graduate students last week and I'm convinced it gets better every time. If…
May 2, 2008
A reminder to readers that in exactly one week, I'll be speaking at the AAAS Forum On Science And Technology Policy about 'Science and the New Media.' I encourage you to comment with thoughts on the topic HERE. I'll be showing the post live during my talk. For ideas, consider these questions…
May 2, 2008
As bloggers and blog readers, we spend lots of time behind a computer. And while I don't recognize many of the cameos in this video, there are enough to convince me I should get out more. This is Episode 1. of a weekly web cartoon by the 'brilliant yet weird' Dan Meth, hosted by Channel…
May 1, 2008
Here on Scienceblogs, many of us ponder the gender disparity in the sciences, but the gap goes well beyond the ivory towers into another area we discuss at The Intersection worth exploring:
Congress: women hold 87, or 16.3%, of the 535 seats in the 110th US Congress -- 16, or 16.0%, of the 100…
April 29, 2008
Paging Kevin, Craig, Peter, PZ, Jennifer, Josh, Mark, Andrew, Benny, Ed, Miriam, Rick, J., and Hugh...
COLOSSAL SQUID!
'On Wednesday, a 30 foot long, 900-pound colossal squid hauled up from the Antarctic last January will be studied by a team of scientists... but the catch is, they'll only have…
April 28, 2008
According to NOAA.gov, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them.
As it happens, many…
April 23, 2008
On May 9, 2008, I'm going to be speaking at the 33rd Annual AAAS Forum On Science And Technology Policy in Washington, DC. I am part of the last plenary session alongside Seed's Editor-in-Chief Adam Bly and Dr. Anthony Crider, co-founder of the SciLands, a science continent in the Second Life…
April 22, 2008
I can't think of a better way to kick off Earth Day 2008 than brunch with Wallace J. Nichols - third culture oceanographer and Ocean Conservancy senior scientist. Later today, he's giving a keynote address here at Duke, so it's a good opportunity for us to catch up. Readers may remember J.'s…
April 21, 2008
Last week, I expressed concern over science illiteracy in the United States. While it's obvious we have a long way to go (evidenced by survey information provided by NSF), I have renewed optimism for tomorrow's leaders.
The reason over at Correlations...
April 18, 2008
The Wall Street Journal has an article by David Baltimore and Ahmen Zewail about the Science Debate that didn't happen today at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia:
All three candidates declined. Apparently the top contenders for our nation's highest elective office have better things to do than…
April 17, 2008
Biologists in northern Vietnam have identified a soft-shell giant turtle believed to be extinct in the wild! Swinhoe's turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) was found and photographed in a lake west of the capital, Hanoi. It's one of the most critically endangered species of turtle in the world. And get…
April 16, 2008
..says Natalie Portman.
My third post of the week examining science illiteracy and women is now up over at Correlations. This time, find out where fellas surpassed the ladies by 30 percentage points... (gulp!)
April 15, 2008
Back to taking on the science literacy gender disparity...Correct answers to scientific literacy questions, by sex: 2006
(by percent)
The continents have been moving their location for millions of years and will continue to move. (True)
Male 85
Female 75
All radioactivity is man-made. (False)
Male…
April 15, 2008
Over at Denialism blog, PalMD asks us to:
..imagine you are sitting in the doctors' lounge, and a senior physician says that sending women to medical school is a bit of a waste.
[cringe]
He goes on to explain:
In the early 1960's, about 5% of medical American medical students were women. Now about…
April 14, 2008
According to the BBC News, China has already overtaken the US as the world's 'biggest polluter.'
Dr. Max Auffhammer, lead researcher on an upcoming report in next month's Journal of Environment Economics and Management, explained his projections assume that the Chinese government's recent…
April 14, 2008
I spent much of Sunday examining the education system in this country and came across NSF's Science and Engineering Indicators 2008 report. Most alarming is the scientific literacy section based on data from the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center. Moreover, if the…
April 14, 2008
Science blogs are buzzing over National Poetry Month, so here is my favorite poem of all time:
If I Were The Sun
- Seth, 1984
If I were the shining sun,
I would shine on the Earth everyday,
And clear away people's gloom,
So that they would be full of joy.
April 11, 2008
This month, The Brothers Bleiman host Carnival of the Blue 11 and Zooillogix features categories spanning the benthos from 'Hot Mollusk Action' to 'Darling It's Better, Down Where It's Wetter.' Rumored to be the 'best ever', it's a post to behold, and we've got our own contribution in the mix,…
April 9, 2008
We spent the past couple days together in our nation's capitol with lots to discuss including some exciting news you'll find out Thursday followed by our upcoming BIG announcement...
Let's just say over the past year, we've noticed we not only work well together, but also have a habit of coming…