I’ve got your missing links right here (17 August 2013)
Top picks
How to Build an Ice Wall Around a Leaking Nuclear Reactor. By Alexis Madrigal, featuring an interview with a guy who is Director of Ground Freezing.
An insightful read: What the Science Tells Us About “Trust in Science”, by Liz Neeley.
“Elizabeth Loftus has spent decades exposing flaws in eyewitness testimony.” – Great profile by Mo Costandi.
“Chronic excreters” – not a description of Twitter users, but a threat to polio eradication. By Helen Branswell.
On the trail of a new snakebite treatment, an unidentified scientist volunteers to be injected with a simulated cobra bite.
What makes the ouija board move, and what it says about your brain. Fascinating read by Tom Stafford.
A new test for gauging consciousness in an unresponsive patient that requires no participation by the individual
Tim de Chant pulls the hype out of the Hyperloop, leaving only an rloop.
A virus laid waste to James Wilson’s career; another could offer redemption. Carl Zimmer on rise/fall of gene therapy
Before denoting a type of machine, “engine” referred to the abstract concept of ingenuity. By Becca Rosen.
This Ian Sample piece on a new species of raccoon-like carnivore (wait for it…) discovered in Ecuador is wonderful.
Data everywhere! Old Hawaiian restaurant menus hoarded by tourists reveal changing ocean health. By Rachel Nuwer.
It Costs $5 Billion To Create A Drug, by Matthew Herper. And an astonishing fact from that piece: the number of drugs invented per billion dollars of R&D has halved every 9yrs for half a century
Skilfully told story about a grassroots approach to fuelling research on orphan genetic diseases. By Jude Isabella.
Fascinating idea – send endangered plants through botanical gardens, as stepping stones in an assisted migration. By Virginia Gewin.
“Psychology is a science. Shut up about how it’s not, already.” By Melanie Tannenbaum. Good response to a tired debate.
Science/news/writing
The evolution of the hyperswarmers.
This is… maybe not the most catastrophic consequence of climate change?
A real shame: Psychology paper retracted when data behind problematic findings disappear
Cool new cancer gene study points to the disease’s origins.
“I have not been stung by a velvet ant since—I will not be stung by a velvet ant again.”
Do antidepressants work? Well, it’s complicated
People will swallow all sorts of bollocks about testicle-eating fish…
That time the US tried to put a ring of copper around the Earth.
“As a general rule, it seems, humans will always find ways to join cats and series of tubes.” Heh.
How to Love a Whale Shark
Why don’t giraffes fall over more often?
“One of the ways that she’s studying [the yellow slime mould] is with this expressive robot.”
Pixar Changes Ending of ‘Finding Nemo’ Sequel, Won’t Promote Captivity
Alex Warneke explains why Discovery Channel’s scientific integrity (or lack thereof) matters: “These kids are paying attention.”
NatGeo’s hosting a G+ hangout on epic fails of science exploration. Wed 28 Aug, 1pm
Gibbon mums give daughters singing lessons
Great coverage of Arclight, a cool new neuroscience technique
Language, it turns out, affects not only what we see, but whether we see anything at all.
Patient shows he is aware of his identity and whereabouts after 12yrs in vegetative state
Another good post on the study that I covered on weird brain activity after clinical death, by Chris Chambers.
Five psychological tools for tackling trolls and online abusers
Aussie university halts trials of skin cancer drug whose developer has four retractions
Before it spins a cocoon, this caterpillar weaves its hairs into several protective walls.
Gina Kolata tackles autism, cancer & genes. The results are as dire as you’d expect. Thankfully there’s Emily Willingham.
Our Brains CANNOT (Unconsciously) Save Us from Temptation, according to one new study
Heh/wow/huh
Scientists Finally Pronounce Human Genome. ‘It’s Gatcaatgaggtggacaccagaggc…’
“Authorities recently gave the man 15 days to remove the mountain or else it will face forcible removal”
Oh, so THAT’S what this paper is about. Wait, WHAT?
Beyond black and yellow: a spectacular rainbow of bees.
AHAHAHA. George Takei is such a legend.
This is a picture of a shark eating another shark.
Awesome police dept trolling.
A Chinese zoo’s supposed “African lion” was exposed as a fraud when the dog used as a substitute started barking
Well, at least the people who bought space on the top floors will get some exercise.
Today I learned that Italy used to have a giant hedgehog. It was the size of a cat and looked terrifying
Extreme close-ups of sea urchins reveal extreme beauty
The tiger spider is absolutely stunning.
Journalism/internet/society
I’ve very chuffed to be on Wired’s 101 Signals list with such esteemed peers as Maggie Koerth-Baker, Helen Branswell, Kyle Hill, Mara Grunbaum, Ivan Oransky, Leonid Kruglyak, Bora Zivkovic and the LWON crew. This is sad, though.
“The play’s the thing / Wherein I’ll catch this batsh*t filtering” – British Library blocks Hamlet
New York Post fires the guy who wrote “Headless Body in Topless Bar” headline
“The Mail still can’t quite live with the shame that it has always, always been historically wrong about everything” – Stephen Fry.
Magazine Writing On the Web, For Film
How far can you get into this piece without smashing your head against your desk?
He made “the hook from Hook, the blade from Blade”: Meet the blacksmith who makes armour and weapons for Hollywood
People Worship Weeping Tree In California, Tears Are Actually Insect Excrement
What do believers believe? Fascinating look at the plurality of views amongst people of faith
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
- 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
- Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada
- Paid Content
Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada - This couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountainsThis couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountains