Featured Articles

Extraterrestrials: A Dime A Dozen

Extraterrestrials: A Dime A Dozen

Apr 25 2010 | comment(s)

Last Monday Stephen Hawking gave a lecture at the George Washington University for the 50th anniversary of NASA. There he discussed the chance of a contact between our civilization and an extraterrestrial one. And he warned about the risks we may be facing.
Hell

Hell

Apr 25 2010 | comment(s)

This made me laugh, albeit in mirthless recognition of how many human follies this could be applied to.


From the inimitable xkcd.

I don't know why, but it reminded me of politics in Thailand. Today I had a choice of entertainment; 5 minutes walk to the north I could have witnessed this scene:


whereas 10 minutes walk to the south I could have been here:


Hawking Warns of Alien Encounters as American Space Weapon Launched

Hawking Warns of Alien Encounters as American Space Weapon Launched

Apr 25 2010 | comment(s)

Just a couple of quick news stories:

In keeping with the theme of 2010, that humans should be ashamed of themselves, Stephen Hawking, it seems, is generally pessimistic about man. In a recently completed documentary series for the Discovery Channel, Hawking speculates about both the inevitable reality of alien life and what an encounter with advanced life would be like.
Mirrors in barbershops

Mirrors in barbershops

Apr 25 2010 | comment(s)

Recently, I observed that the mirrors in most barbershops (in India) are placed at a large distance away from the customers (at least three feet). Barbers usually ask myopic customers to remove their glasses during the haircut. This creates a problem because the image is made at least six feet away from cusomers. Most myopic people are unable to see things clearly at such a distance without their glasses. 

Interpreting Arctic Satellite Images And Data

Interpreting Arctic Satellite Images And Data

Apr 24 2010 | comment(s)

Interpreting Arctic Satellite Images And Data


Science writers and media reporters owe a duty of care to their readers: a duty to present facts undistorted by personal opinion or agenda.
That duty of care extends not just to what is written, but to what is portrayed in graphs and images.

A graphic produced for a specific science-oriented context can be as misleading if taken out of context as any cherry-picked data or quoted words.
What are scientists reading?

What are scientists reading?

Apr 24 2010 | comment(s)

I recently took a look around my department to see what academic scientists are reading. I ignored the stacks of research papers, because I know that no-one ever gets around to reading them. It seems that the most common reading materials for academic scientists are comics (at least for the grad students).
Hubble's 20th: A Taxpayer's Perspective

Hubble's 20th: A Taxpayer's Perspective

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

Hip, hip, hooray. The Hubble has reached its twentieth anniversary* and is  still alive and kicking. Congratulations go to NASA and ESA. And to the Hubble itself. Long live the Hubble!

Chances are, that by now you will be able to read more than a few blogs hailing the two decades of the Hubble as mankind's supreme window to the universe. And indeed, the Hubble has provided us with some spectacular pictures of the universe.

How Mainstream Is Science?

How Mainstream Is Science?

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

I get asked a lot about Science 2.0® and why I chose to start something like ScientificBlogging.com, because science is such a niche.   Is it?  65 million people respond to surveys that they are interested in science. Since there are just over 300 million people in the US and 10% of those can't read due to age or infirmity, that means almost 25% of America alone considers themselves science fans.
What Is The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle?

What Is The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle?

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

After a decade of development, the Air Force has launched the the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on an Atlas V expendable launch vehicle, and the Internet is abuzz with speculation about what it means because it is the first craft to have autonomous space re-entry.  Star Wars 2010?   
Symphony Of Science

Symphony Of Science

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

How often do you hear a song featuring Bill Nye? Well, often-- it's part of his shtick.  But to hear him remixed with 3 other science populist greats, that's a treat.  It's "We Are All Connected (feat. Sagan, Feynman, deGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye)  from Symphony of Science (one of several original music vids there).  Excellent work with adding reverb, echo and autotune to make a nice bit of electronica.  Falters a little at the 2 minute mark, but ends strong.  Thanks to my friend Danny O'Neill for pointing this Earth Day treat!
Authentic Inclusion And Autism: Making It Work In The Community

Authentic Inclusion And Autism: Making It Work In The Community

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

The word "inclusion" sounds simple. In fact, though, it can mean many things to many people - which is part of the reason it's so tough to implement.   For example...

There's "partial inclusion," wherein a child with autism is included for brief periods of time or in selected settings. In school, partial inclusion could mean "inclusion only in math," or "inclusion only in music," etc.

There's "full inclusion with support," in which the child with autism is physically in a setting with typically developing children, but expectations are modified and supports (such as an aide) are put in place. Sometimes this works; just as often the child with autism is physically present but emotionally and intellectually absent.
Why The Primary Sequence Of Amino Acids In Any Polypeptide/Protein Is Fundamental To The Correct Functioning Of That Polypeptide/Protein

Why The Primary Sequence Of Amino Acids In Any Polypeptide/Protein Is Fundamental To The Correct Functioning Of That Polypeptide/Protein

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

The primary structure of a protein also sometimes referred to as a polypeptide, is decided by sequences of amino acids. The amino acids are sequenced in a linear polypeptide chain which folds as it is being produced. it is this three - dimensional folded structure that decides the proteins biological activity.

Eyjafjallajokull's Global Impact On Air Travel

Eyjafjallajokull's Global Impact On Air Travel

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

Northwestern University scientists say Eyjafjallajökull and its massive cloud of volcanic ash have impacted mobility patterns in places far from Europe -- including the United States, India and southeast Asia.

The team compared the entire worldwide air transportation network before and after the 27 major European airports were closed and used complex network theory to compute and list the most affected airports still operating.
How Do People Use Facebook?

How Do People Use Facebook?

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

Most of the 350 million facebook users around the world spend more time searching for specific content than aimlessly browsing news feeds or friends lists, according to research conducted at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

Researchers have dubbed the practices "social searching" and "social browsing."

 People engage in social searching when navigating facebook in search of certain information about a specific person, group, or event; users engage in social browsing, on the other hand, when surveying the general landscape, such as their newsfeed or wall, without looking for specific information.
Conquering Obesity With Psychological Acupuncture? Really?

Conquering Obesity With Psychological Acupuncture? Really?

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

Are you overweight? Do you want to slim down? Forget about exercising and dieting because there is actually a way to magically cure poor eating habits.

A new study examining the effects of psychological acupuncture suggests that the practice can reduce food cravings for up to six months in people who are overweight or obese.

The study did not show any significant impact on body weight or body mass index (BMI) after six months, but the results of a 12-month follow-up are still being analyzed, the authors say. Cross your fingers.

The results of the study will be presented at the International Congress of Applied Psychology in Melbourne in July.
1976 'Swine Flu' Shot Fought Off New H1N1 Strain

1976 'Swine Flu' Shot Fought Off New H1N1 Strain

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

Immunization against "swine flu" in 1976 might have partially protected some individuals from the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, according to a new study in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Researchers found that individuals who reported receiving the 1976 vaccine mounted an enhanced immune response against both the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus and a different H1N1 flu strain that circulated during the 2008-09 flu season.

It is unclear if the response was enough to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus, but the study points to a lingering benefit. The findings also raise hope that those vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic strain might also enjoy a similar long-term advantage.
High-Res Images Of Eyjafjallajökull - Plume Receding, Internal Temperature Rising

High-Res Images Of Eyjafjallajökull - Plume Receding, Internal Temperature Rising

Apr 23 2010 | comment(s)

High-resolution visible and thermal infrared images captured by a joint NASA-Japanese satellite sensor have provided the first clear glimpse of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull that began erupting last week.

The images, taken by NASA's Earth-orbiting Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflectance Radiometer (ASTER) instrument, show that although the volcano's infamous ash plume is receding, its internal temperature is rising.

Eyjafjallajökull appears on the left side of the images as a bright spot with a cloud emanating from it. More images are available here.

Here comes the sun (photos)

Here comes the sun (photos)

Apr 22 2010 | comment(s)

Absolutely stunning photos are now being released from NASA's new telescope, the Solar Dynamics Observatory.
Over the course of its five-year mission, it will study the sun's magnetic field and also provide a better understanding of the role the sun plays in Earth's atmospheric chemistry and climate. The images the telescope captures provide clarity 10 times better than high-definition television and transmit more comprehensive science data faster than
previous solar spacecraft, according to NASA. - NPR
Sermeq Kujalleq - Jakobshavn Isbrae Retreat

Sermeq Kujalleq - Jakobshavn Isbrae Retreat

Apr 22 2010 | comment(s)

Sermeq Kujalleq - Jakobshavn Isbrae Retreat

The Jakobshavn Isbrae, or Jakobshavn glacier, now becoming known by its local name - Sermeq Kujalleq - has been observed retreating since about 1851.


Near the small town of Ilulissat, formerly Jakobshavn, Sermeq Kujalleq is the Northern hemisphere's largest glacier with an outlet to the sea.  It drains about 6.5% of Greenland's ice sheet. The ice stream's contribution to sea level rise is about 0.06 millimeters - about 0.002 inches - per year, roughly 4% of the 20th century rate of sea level increase.
About Sam Harris’ Claim That Science Can Answer Moral Questions

About Sam Harris’ Claim That Science Can Answer Moral Questions

Apr 22 2010 | comment(s)

The buzz in secular circles lately has been about a TED talk by Sam Harris, the author of The End of Faith,