I’ve got your missing links right here (2nd October 2010)
News
I’m tellin y’all it’s sabotage! Brendan Maher discusses the fascinating case of Vipul Bhrigu, a postdoc who “destroyed the experiments of a colleague in order to get ahead. It took a hidden camera to expose a surreptitious and malicious side of science.”
Prompted by my post on masturbating squirrels, Daniel Engber at Slate republished an entire feature on animal masturbation.
“Surprisingly, the pattern of homicides resembled an exchange of gifts.” A fascinating Vaughan Bell piece on the social side of murder.
“So cheer up and take it from us that even if we kicked you in the pants it was between friends.” An amusing series of exchanges between DNA pioneers Crick, Watson, Wilkins and Franklin.
“I feel that we are all mad.” A disturbing look at water politics in the Nile valley and the conflicts between the upstream countries that control the water and the downstream countries that need it.
Jonah Lehrer, aged, 10, spells out his wisdom about how to practice 50 percent less but still get the same benefits.
“About 350 million years ago, evolution took one small step for fish, and a giant leap for every terrestrial animal since. According to a new study, it was all made possible by plants.”
It’s okay. Contrary to popular assertions, the UN has not yet selected an alien ambassador. The post is obviously still open.
Most Earth-like planet yet spotted in a habitable zone. Already has a Starbucks on it. Probably. Phil Plait discusses the story.
Hey, good news! We won’t have to saw off the top of your skull! cough*we’llgothroughtheeyeinstead*cough*
I really like the concept of this New Scientist piece celebrating the vast improbability of human existence – the 10 cosmic accidents that allowed us to happen. Soaring stuff.
Look into my eyes. “No longer a mere vaudeville routine, hypnosis is being used in labs to cast light on the innermost workings of the brain”
“Imagine being violated by masses of dynamic and powerful net-like pseudopodia and torn to pieces from the inside.” If you ever find yourself really small, do not f**k with forams.
Carl Zimmer discusses the monkey in the mirror – a potentially important new paper on monkey self-recognition.
More after the jump…
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
Science
- The unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and MounjaroThe unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and Mounjaro
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
Travel
- This town is the Alps' first European Capital of CultureThis town is the Alps' first European Capital of Culture
- This royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala LumpurThis royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala Lumpur
- This author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomadsThis author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomads