Viral Lazaruses?
Or is it Lazarai? Either way, The New Yorker has an interesting article about recreating extinct retroviruses.
Posted by Mike at 11:02 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Mike the Mad Biologist
Mad rantings about politics, evolution, and microbiology
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Profile
Mad rantings about politics, evolution, and microbiology. Comment policy: say what you want, but back it up with an email address. I don't like anonymous trolls.
Recent Posts
- Amanda: "I Love Vaccines"
- Thing You Don't Expect to Hear in Boston
- Influenza and Money
- Photo Contest: What's Your Workbench Look Like?
- SUVs: Not Schadenfreude, but Accountability
- Tristero: It's Not the Politics, It's the Collection Plate
- One Quibble with (One of) Angry Bear's Rules for Discussing Climate
- How to Buy 'Liberal' Media Pundits
- Creationism and Molecular Evolution
- The Silly Distinction Between CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA
Donors Choose Drive
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Recent Comments
- Amanda Marcotte on Amanda: "I Love Vaccines"
- Felstatsu on Amanda: "I Love Vaccines"
- phisrow on Amanda: "I Love Vaccines"
- Esteleth on Amanda: "I Love Vaccines"
- Mark on Amanda: "I Love Vaccines"
- Felstatsu on Amanda: "I Love Vaccines"
- Robert Ward on Amanda: "I Love Vaccines"
- drdrA on Thing You Don't Expect to Hear in Boston
- Esteleth on Amanda: "I Love Vaccines"
- Brandee Mcdougal on Pandas or Wombats?
Archives
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- January 2007
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- June 2006
Blogroll
- All The World's A Stage, Act For Change
- MyDD
- Chris Mooney
- Thoughts from Kansas
- Pharyngula
- The Public Trust
- Keats' telescope
- Laughing Wild
- groupThink
- Dancing in the Divine
- Craig's Thoughts, Theories, and Tantrums
- media in trouble
- Neo Commons
- MajikThise
- Living the Scientific Life
- YoungFemaleScientist
- Respectful Insolence
- Everyone Loves Hedgical Trevor
- Salon.com
- The Gazetteer
- Nameless Rantings
- dadahead
- She Flies with Her Own Wings
- A Pondering of Fools
- Henry's Webiocosm Blog
- Jon Swift
- Divine Afflatus
- cannablog
- Independent Bloggers' Alliance
- The Thermal Vent
- The Burned Over District
- Mixter's Mix
- Lab Cat
- If I Ran the Zoo
- Rev. BigDumbChimp
- ... ponderings of a fool
- Drinking Liberally in New Milford
- Scientia Natura: Evolution and Rationality
- Middle Raged Punk
- Primordial Blog
- ... ponderings of a fool
- SuportVaccination.Org
- Aetiology
- Big Brass Blog
- driftglass
- Battlepanda
- Pandagon
- skippy the bush kangaroo
- The Scientific Activist
- Deep Weeds
- The Corpus Callosum
- Complex Medium
- This Human Project
- Left in the Heartland
- A Mind Occasionally Voyaging
- Nice Shoes, Wanna Fock?
- Societas
- Skeptico
- Tied To the Tenure Tracks
- The Raven's Gazette
- Studying Biology and Environmental Science
- postgenomic
- Welcome to Shakesville
- Military Religious Freedom Foundation Blog
- Mad Melancholic Feminista
- ¡Viva La Evolución!
- comment is free...
- Melissa McEwan
- Marisacat
- The Panda's Thumb
- King of Zembla
- are you effin' kidding me?
- Eccentricity
- A Concerned Scientist
- Utenzi Blog
- Graphic Truth
- Universal Acid
- Scriptoids
- phronesisaical
- Muton
- A Beginner's Mind
- Altair4 Redux
- PSoTD
- Liberal Street Fighter
- Jon Swift
- Tangled Up in Blue Guy
- Sorting Out Science
- The force that through...
- jobsanger
- no fish, no nuts
- The Barefoot Bum
- ywut
- miriam's ideas
- decrepitoldfool
- Philosophers' Playground
- Yhetti
- Endosymbiosis
- The Crone Speaks
- blue collar scientist
- Crinch Pin
- Moue Magazine
- Balls and Walnuts
- over the cliff, onto the rocks
- Argue With Everyone
- Passing Afternoon
- Centerface! Adventures in Post-Democracy
- La Casa de Los Gatos
- CultureVultures
- Lance Mannion
Science Links
These links do not indicate support of this blog's statements by these groups
November 30, 2007
November 29, 2007
Maybe All That Blogging Has an Effect After All?
The traditional media might not like blogs, but they're starting to have to listen to them--because they're potential customers.
Posted by Mike at 11:02 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 28, 2007
What Makes U.S. Graduate Education Very Good?
Is competition what makes U.S. doctoral programs excel? Or buckets of money?
Posted by Mike at 11:02 AM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 27, 2007
Should I Cancel My Times Subscription?
I've considering canceling my New York Times subscription. Here are the pros and cons.
Posted by Mike at 11:02 AM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 26, 2007
Marriage Versus Servitude
Category: Feminism
A new divorce policy in Japan highlights the different outcomes when women are not dependent on men but interdependent with them. It's scaring the hell out of Japanese men.
Posted by Mike at 3:59 PM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
The True Face of Creationism: The Real Controversy
I've written about creationist and convicted felon Kent Hovind's idiocy. But I had forgotten another aspect of Hovind--his ties to white supremacist groups.
Posted by Mike at 11:02 AM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 25, 2007
Our Turkey Overlords Are on the March!
A while back, I posted about the full out assault by demonic flocks of turkeys on the good city of Boston. Now, I have personally witnessed the horror up close.
Posted by Mike at 11:28 AM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 24, 2007
The Politics of Water Consumption
Tom Engelhardt asks the question I've wondered about Atlanta's drought: what happens if there literally is no water?
Posted by Mike at 11:29 AM • 10 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 23, 2007
This Is No Way to Choose a President...
While I'm not a believer in the idea that a different political voting process would yield dramatically better governance, the Iowa caucus procedure is so stupid that I'm willing to make an exception.
Posted by Mike at 11:17 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 22, 2007
I'm Thankful for All of the Donors Choose Participants
Category: Basic Human Decency
I thought today would be a good to thank of you who were able to donate to my Donors Choose challenge.
Posted by Mike at 11:19 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 21, 2007
Social Security and Compromise: Kevin Drum Doesn't Get It
All Drum's proposal would establish a commission that, guess what, would be used to support the false idea that there is a Social Security crisis. It's the sucker's play.
Posted by Mike at 11:02 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 20, 2007
Tasmanian Devils Need Your Help
Category: Tasmanian Devil
The Tasmanian Devil, already teetering on extinction, is being hard hit by a transmissible cancer.
Posted by Mike at 2:31 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Creationists Just Don't Understand Antibiotic Resistance and Compensatory Mutations
Let's deal with the claim that mutation leads to "a loss of functional systems." The short version: that claim is utter bullshit.
Posted by Mike at 10:50 AM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 19, 2007
The Dollar: Never Mind OPEC...
Category: Economics
Jay-Z has ditched the dollar in favor of the euro.
Posted by Mike at 4:39 PM • 13 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
One Reason Why Saletan and Sullivan Are Wilfully Ignorant About IQ
Category: IQ
Genetic predetermination fits nicely with conservatism--it's 21st century Social Darwinism.
Posted by Mike at 12:29 PM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Let the Presidential Election Be About Being President...
...and not a surrogate for gender issues. Yes, Chris Matthews is a sexist asshole with severe gender hangups. But what does that have to do with 'Hillary's' hawkish position on Iraq?
Posted by Mike at 11:20 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 18, 2007
Some Sunday Links
Category: Lotsa Links
Here are some links for you.
Posted by Mike at 8:47 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
The War on Climate Science: The Smithsonian Front?
More from the dog bites man files: political interference in a Smithsonian exhibit--about climate change. Having viewed this exhibit, I'm not sure what to make of these claims.
Posted by Mike at 11:02 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 17, 2007
CNN Scripts 'Audience' Questions at Debate
How can a CNN debate be considered news when questions supposedly asked by the audience are actually scripted? This is why commercial news organizations should not be sponsoring debates.
Posted by Mike at 10:58 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 16, 2007
What the Hell Is NARAL Thinking (Again)?
NARAL just doesn't get it: when NARAL supports Republicans or Democrats who, by undermining Democratic initiatives, weaken the Democratic Party, NARAL is strengthening those who oppose legal and safe abortion.
Posted by Mike at 10:41 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 15, 2007
Bush Vetoes Increase for NIH Funding
Here's what you can do about it.
Posted by Mike at 4:14 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
The Reality of Social Security Has a Well-Known Liberal Bias
When you're told for fourteen years running that Social Security will collapse in thirty four years, maybe it's time to reconsider the validity of that estimate. Or you could just keep chugging the Konservative Kool-Aid.
Posted by Mike at 11:15 AM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 14, 2007
Why Is Bobby Jindal Devaluing My College Education?
There is no conceivable way that Bobby Jindal received his Brown degree without knowing that there is overwhelming evidence from the fossil record for evolution, unless he wasn't paying attention in class.
Posted by Mike at 11:02 AM • 9 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 13, 2007
COBRA and Health Insurance Versus Healthcare
There is a difference between health insurance and healthcare.
Posted by Mike at 11:02 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 12, 2007
Obama Has Lost My Vote
When you use Republican talking points to falsely undermine one of the greatest Democratic policy successes, why should a Democrat support you?
Posted by Mike at 11:05 AM • 13 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 11, 2007
Some Sunday Links
Category: Bloggity Blog
Here are some links for you.
Posted by Mike at 9:07 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Remember This Veteran's Day...
...the 202,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who have sought disability assistance.
Posted by Mike at 12:23 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 10, 2007
William Steig Exhibit in Boston
If you're in Boston, the Boston Public Library at Copley Square is having a free exhibition of The New Yorker cartoonist William "King of Cartoons" Steig's work.
Posted by Mike at 1:52 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
What David Horowitz's Academic Freedom Might Look Like
A professor was fired because a student was listening to voices in her head. Which explains everything you need to know about David Horowtiz.
Posted by Mike at 11:26 AM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 9, 2007
Doing Everything Right...
Category: Healthcare
...and you still get hosed by the U.S. healthcare system.
Posted by Mike at 11:05 AM • 10 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 8, 2007
GHB in Kids' Toys?
Category: We're Really Fucked
It's not like there's a quality control problem with Chinese manufacturing or anything
Posted by Mike at 4:07 PM • 10 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
More About Pigs and MRSA
Another study suggests a link between pigs and MRSA.
Posted by Mike at 11:16 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 7, 2007
Five Truths About Taxes (in the U.S.)
And why this matters to scientists.
Posted by Mike at 11:04 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 6, 2007
Should We Let Creationists Dictate Our Time: A Response to Tristero
Life is far too short to provide Behe the anterior-posterior extraction procedure he so desperately needs.
Posted by Mike at 11:24 AM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 5, 2007
Chloramphenicol, Frogs...and Bacterial Endosymbionts?
Category: Froggies
A possible way to cure the devastating fungal infections that are wiping out frog populations--and also a hint at a possible mechanism of how the fungus kills frogs.
Posted by Mike at 11:02 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 4, 2007
Some Sunday Links
Category: Lotsa Links
Merry Daylight Saving Time! Here are some links for you.
Posted by Mike at 8:36 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
The Deal Democrats Should Be Making with Any Attorney General Nominee
Instead of focusing on partial drowning interrogation, John Dean tells us what Congress should be doing.
Posted by Mike at 3:58 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
A New and Improved Automobile Engine?
Yes, we can build a cleaner and more powerful car engine.
Posted by Mike at 11:41 AM • 15 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 3, 2007
Giuliani Is Creepy
Category: A Message to You, Rudy
Bernard Kerik's 'initiation ceremony' is truly creepy.
Posted by Mike at 3:06 PM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Reframing 'Waterboarding'
I am in utter awe of the brilliant reframing of 'waterboarding' by the Kenosha Kid.
Posted by Mike at 10:54 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 2, 2007
Experimentation, IQ, and "Jewgenics"
The argument that higher IQ in Ashkenaz Jews has a genetic basis is a testable hypothesis. So, is anyone going to do the tests?
Posted by Mike at 11:11 AM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 1, 2007
Is the U.S. Falling Behind the Technology Curve?
The Guardian's Tim Watkin thinks so.
Posted by Mike at 11:03 AM • 10 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
