Antarctica’s Past Helps Predict Climate Change

Apr 29 2010 | comment(s)

Despite present-day conditions, Antarctica was not always covered with ice. Approximately 53 million years ago, the continent was a warm, sub-tropical environment and atmospheric CO2 levels exceeded today's by ten times.

But in just 400,000 years – a mere blink of an eye in geologic time – Antarctica's lush environment transitioned into its modern icy realm. Concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide decreased, global temperatures dropped, ice sheets developed and Antarctica became ice-bound.

How did this change happen so abruptly and how stable can we expect ice sheets to be in the future? New ice core data retrieved from the Wilkes Land region of Antarctica may help answer those questions.

When Your Mind Wanders, Your Eyes Blink

Apr 29 2010 | comment(s)

Blinking eyes might be a sign of a wandering mind, according to a new study in Psychological Science. Researchers from the University of Waterloo found that when subjects' minds wandered, they blinked more, setting up a tiny physical barrier between themselves and the outside world.

The study was inspired by brain research that shows, when the mind wanders, the parts of the brain that process external goings-on are less active.

Geographical Isolation Doesn't Drive Evolution?

Apr 29 2010 | comment(s)

A new study of island lizards suggests that geographical isolation may not be as important to evolution as previously thought.

The new research, published in PLoS Genetics, shows that even those lizards that have been geographically isolated for many millions of years have not evolved into separate species as predicted by conventional evolutionary theory.

The findings reject allopatric speciation in a case study from a system thought to exemplify it, the researchers say, and suggest the potential importance of speciation due to differences in ecological conditions (ecological speciation).

What's the Point?

Apr 29 2010 | comment(s)

Sometimes I find an article that is supposed to be about science or technology and I can't help but wonder what the point of bringing up the subject was. A recent LiveScience article entitled "Rising Fuel Costs Could Help Make Electric Planes A Reality" is just such a piece.

Within the first three sentences the following statement is presented,

"...for the most part the idea of an electric airliner is regarded as fantasy in aviation since batteries are so heavy..."

ICMI ACCE 2010 Conference Program Helps Contact Center Professionals To Improve Center Performance

Apr 28 2010 | comment(s)

The Light Of Reason

Apr 28 2010 | comment(s)

The Light Of Reason

The greatest tool ever invented by kings and dictators was propaganda.
Disinformation can help to win wars.

In WW2 the German naval codes were broken at Bletchley. At about the same time, a new type of radar had been developed to detect surfaced submarines. The U-boats would run surfaced at night to re-charge their batteries. The code-breaking allowed allied aircraft to narrow down the search area so that the radar could be deployed more effectively. An aircraft guided to a search area by good intelligence could be further guided by its on-board radar. Once over the target the aircraft would switch on its high intensity Leigh light and illuminate the problem.

Regional And International Experts Unveil Their Initiatives For Border Control And Protection At The 3rd Annual National Security Middle East, Abu Dhabi

Apr 28 2010 | comment(s)

Tying it all together

Apr 28 2010 | comment(s)

H/t to the huz and Matt Bors.

Absolute Software's A Winner At SC Awards

Apr 28 2010 | comment(s)

Sapiens Acquires Harcase, A PC Insurance Software Provider

Apr 28 2010 | comment(s)

Attensity Group Acquires Social Media Monitoring Leader Biz360

Apr 28 2010 | comment(s)

Synaesthetes Wanted For University Synaesthesia Research

Apr 28 2010 | comment(s)

The Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science has just opened as a new multi-disciplinary research centre at the University of Sussex. One of their first projects is an investigation into synaesthesia and they are looking for volunteer synaesthetes who would like to take part.

"We are interested in ALL types of synaesthesia, and not just the more common 'coloured letters' variety. If you are unsure whether your experiences are synaesthetic or not, then don't be afraid to get in touch. For some of our research we need to meet you in person and so it is important that you live in the UK or travel through the UK on a fairly regular basis. However, we also have questionnaires and other paper-and-pen tests that could be done by e-mail or post if you live overseas.

Alternative PE For Teens On Autism Spectrum

Apr 28 2010 | comment(s)

When Dr. Valerie Paradiz invited me to join the staff of her brainchild school for those on the autism spectrum called the ASPIE School in Boiceville, NY, I was most honored and extremely excited.

The school, one of the first in the nation at the time, provided a setting where twelve males and later one female, all on the autism spectrum including Asperger’s syndrome, would take high school required classes in a supportive environment, as well as being safely mainstreamed into classes with the public high school next door. The ASPIE School operated for three years from 2003-2006.

Science!

Apr 28 2010 | comment(s)

Introduction:

(One simple rule)

Science is not guys in lab coats. Science is not beakers and test tubes, or fancy expensive equipment that requires a degree to operate.
Science isn't something funded by corporations or the government or universities.