Now on ScienceBlogs: And so, driven on ceaselessly toward new shores
The trials, tribulations, and joys of a Neuroscience gradute student writing her thesis in the postmodern, post-Y2K world.
Shelley Batts is a Neuroscience PhD candidate at the University of Michigan. She studies hair cell regeneration in the cochlea, and is just embarking on that quixotic quest called 'thesis.' She lies awake at night pondering how science intersects with politics, culture, policy, money, medicine, and religion in an attempt to be more than just a niche scientist sitting in the oh-so-lovely ivory tower. Follow me and my parrot on the quest to get funded, get a PhD, and stay sane.
Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth, are never alone or weary of life. ~Rachel Carson
Cochlear Hair Cell Regeneration
Interview With Dr. Irene Pepperberg
On Religion and Taking the 'Red Pill'
Neuroscience of Cocaine Addiction
Parrots Have Object Permanance
Retrospectacle is now Of Two Minds!
July 31, 2006
Category: The War on Science
One more reason NOT to go to Kentucky (as if I needed another one?)..... A 25 million dollar "creationist" museum, which depicts people walking around with dinos. Mark Looy, a vice president at Answers in Genesis, said the museum has...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 3:32 PM • 15 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Red Herrings
Over at The Examining Room of Dr. Charles, he's got a fun little link you should try! You upload a picture of yourself, and a program analyzes your facial structure and then compares it to a database of celebrities. So,...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 1:53 PM • 11 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Snake Oil
Almost as inevitable as evolution is the law that states, where there are stupid naive people, there will be someone to hustle them. People were persuaded to buy a powder which they could allegedly turn into "Magic Cheese", said to...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 11:48 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Animal Behavior
The residents of this community should be happy that this wasn't a flock of chattering African Greys! :) Although I bet their cars were covered in "surprises" the next day....
Posted by Shelley Batts at 8:55 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
July 28, 2006
Category: Pepper
Professor Donald Broom, of the University of Cambridge's School of Veterinary Medicine, said: "The more we look at the cognitive abilities of animals, the more advanced they appear, and the biggest leap of all has been with parrots." Meet...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 11:00 AM • 29 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Red Herrings
Happiest places in the world documented.
Posted by Shelley Batts at 8:40 AM • 15 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
July 27, 2006
Category: The War on Science
A troll sends me a hellfire and brimstone email.
Posted by Shelley Batts at 10:59 PM • 24 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Announcements
Cool new sites!
Posted by Shelley Batts at 4:37 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Academia
Adventures in Science and Ethics raised an interesting question today: How are graduate student getting their education funded? When I was first interviewing at graduate programs, I was astounded at the variability in their offered "recruitment package." It often had...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 2:24 PM • 15 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Risky Business
Mothball abuse is on the rise among teens.
Posted by Shelley Batts at 2:16 PM • 9 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
