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
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- 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?
History & Culture
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park