I'm a little under the weather, so I thought this would be a good time to talk about the 'basic concepts' idea floating around ScienceBlogs. These would be short posts that provide basic background in science for those who might not always be familiar with some of the things bandied around these parts. So feel free to leave suggestions in the comments. I can't guarantee I'll do them, but I will try to get around to them. Obviously, evolution, microbiology, and public health (along with some statistics) would be the areas I feel comfortable with (and other areas would be done much better by other ScienceBloglings). You might want to click the "Archives" tab to get a feel for some of the things I write about if you're new around these parts.
Update: If you're shy or bashful, you can email me too.
- Log in to post comments
You're at your best when you focus on public health issues.
There are topics in evolution about conserved molecular structures with completely different sequences (Convergant Vs divergant evolution). I vaguely recall an ID'r
(ab)using such papers to actually support their view. It's kinda like arguing the god-of-the-gaps, but this way it's god-of-the-toolbox kinda thing. wacky, anywayz...
microbial multidrug resistance / efflux mechanisms and rational drug design topics are kewl, too.
Hello Mike, I have been reading your blog for several months now. I was hoping you could discuss the mass extinctions going on in the amphibian world, particularly the frog world. The other night I saw something on the discovery channel about this crisis. They actually focused on Connetequate State Park , which was my backyard growing up. Never knew anything about this mass frog die off until a few days ago. I think alot of boys growing up remember trying to catch frogs. Hopefully this will raise red flags for people. The extinction may be related to global warming. Also interested in the corellation between extreme weather and global warming-not your area of expertise I know.
One basic thing I'm always amazed more people aren't aware of is the difference between viruses and bacteria and why you shouldn't take antibiotics if you catch a viral illness. Might be neat to throw in something about antibiotic resistance, you have written some great posts about that. Something basic would be helpful to lots of people.
And, what's happened to the bird flu?