I’ve got your missing links right here (20 August 2011)
Because of the Peru trip, I had limited time to read/aggregate this week so this selection of links is a bit truncated and unsorted. Normal service to resume next week.
Top picks
Wow. How Carl Zimmer inspired two scientists (&many more) in their scientific lives.
Guy sees Fibonacci sequence in trees, sets up experiments, develops more efficient arrangement for solar panels. He’s 13. Sadly debunked.
Elizabeth Kolbert’s profile of Svante Paabo in the New Yorker is absolutely masterful. Great piece of long-form writing.
There have been chemists long before there have been chemists. By Deborah Blum
“Zoologically improbable and/or terrifying to small children.” T-shirt please of this, the best museum sign ever.
O HAI! I CAN HAZ CONZURVAYSHUN?? Cool selection of portraits from massive camera trap study
“I’ve a big problem w/ studies built around something that only purportedly exists.” PalMD on a lamentable “biofield therapy” paper in Cancer.
Stuff
Wow. How Carl Zimmer inspired two scientists (&many more) in their scientific lives.
Cancer – it’s really much more complicated than anyone had imagined
Why is it so hard to kill a cockroach with your shoe?
The Selfish Gene: The Musical.
Gut bacteria may be the missing piece that explains the connection between diet and cancer risk, says The Scientist. Not a lot of evidence at the moment, but a worthy concept.
Preggers plesiosaurs – great long take by Brian Switek on a wonderful fossil
First patent approved for iPS stem cells. Shouldn’t restrict any not-for-profit research
In which Maryn McKenna warns us of yet another way in which we’re all going to die because of bacteria (+ good comments) http://t.co/QVErKK4
Letter to Nature says Homo sapiens is inaccurate. The petition to rename us as Homo dumbass begins here
“There’s always the eensy-weensy possibility that you might save all of humanity.”
Fish masquerades as a piece of coral
‘Flawed’ infant death papers, involving unethical organ harvesting, still not retracted
Due to climate change, wildlife flees for the hills
New Allegations Leveled Against Polar Bear Scientist
Living fossil eel discovered in Palau.”Hasn’t been anything comparable to this since the coelacanth was discovered”
Black Death study lets rats off the hook
This illusion will destroy your brain, says Phil Plait and he might be right
Science graffiti. The last one is particularly great.
What would you do if a male silverback gorilla charged at you, seemingly rubbing his nipples?
Great newspaper lede
Evolve your own design for a new lamp – and then 3D print it
Social networks to meet Home Secretary to discuss restrictions. Twitter gives them the finger. Good on them.
“At last, the field of genomics has something to offer Cheech and Chong.”
Aliens might take greenhouse emissions as reason to destroy humanity. They can have Rick Perry first
Great. Just great. Quackery killing cancer patients AND rhinos.
Photographer infiltrates Fukushima nuclear plant
Mathematics, Cities, and Brains: What Can A Highway Engineer Learn From A Neuroscientist?
104 rescued frogs die in captivity. Problem: that’s half the estimated size of the wild population
Don’t believe the hype. Human pheromones may not even exist, let alone influence sexual attraction:
Wow! Mabus has been arrested! The point when he started spamming the local police department was probably the clincher.
Meet Commander Shepherd. Great profile of Jennifer Hale, ubiquitous voice actress behind Shepherd & many other computer game characters
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- Why you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, GreeceWhy you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, Greece
- Mansion museums show visitors the gritty side of the Gilded AgeMansion museums show visitors the gritty side of the Gilded Age
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip