I’ve Got Your Missing Links Right Here (4 April 2015)
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Top picks
Welcome the wonderful Maryn Mckenna to the Phenomena network, with her new blog—Germination—on antibiotics, food, agriculture, and more. Here’s her first post on whether Easter chicks are bad for you.
“When the customer returns for dinner, the manager presents the live pangolin to the table.” Sad story by Rachel Nuwer on one of the world’s most trafficked animals.
The hunt for cute viral content is driving cruelty to wildlife. Consider that before sharing those photos of dancing frogs.
New Facebook App Wants To Test Your DNA. Will the FDA get involved? By Virginia Hughes
“Thomas Gray lived six days, but his life has lasting impact.” An amazing story on organ donations by Michael Vitez
The fungus “pretends, on separate occasions, to be both to be a flower and a pollen grain, and its acts are so successful that it manages to fool both the bumblebee and the blueberry bush.” By Jennifer Frazer
The dystopian lake filled by the world’s tech lust. By Tim Maugham.
“Can two forces threatening the sustainability of sharks—the fishermen of Mexico and consumers in China—help the fish survive?” By Erik Vance
Great account by John Platt on how zoos acquire endangered animals, like orang-utans, that were bred in captivity
“I started giving these flies funny names: this one’s genitalia look like bunny ears, I’ll name it ‘Bunny’.” Emily Hartop on how she discovered 30 new species of flies in Los Angeles.
News/science/writing
Did A Soviet Psychiatrist Identify Autism In 1925?
What the “Swiss cheese model” of error can teach us about medicine, featuring the wonderfully named Dr Reason.
Are Microbes the Taste-Makers of the Future?
Along Roadsides and Power Lines, Hope for Bees and Butterflies
Largest Rhino Airlift Ever to Move 100 At-Risk Animals
“[They] chose the Greek name Kryptonia because it means hidden or secret, and because it evokes Superman”
Unpowered boots improve on evolution, reduce costs of walking by 7%.
I’m going to interpret this as evidence of flute-playing hyenas.
Amazing tiny birds fly without landing for three days
Red Meat Is Not the Enemy
“The overall effect is of a lobster tail that’s out for revenge on those who drew butter against it.”
Mini enzyme moves gene editing [a tiny bit] closer to the clinic
Smarter people make better teachers … or do they?
Glowing tampons are an important scientific tool to detect water pollution
Moths Fondly Remember Plant Species Where They Lost Their Virginity
The universality of human experience at 7pm.
NYC ants have a taste for junk food
Depression isn’t what you think it is.
Johns Hopkins sued for $1 billion over role in 1940s experiments that infected 1000+ Guatemalans with syphilis
Why floating balls might make your babies act like little geniuses
Tracking the origins of prostate cancer. Fascinating about the metastases created by union of of different clones.
God, talk about the cure being worse than the disease…
Internet/society/journalism
The horror of Amazon’s new dash button.
“Were We Too Hard on Jonah Lehrer? A new book says yes. The facts say no.”
Cards Against Humanity science expansion pack
Beware of Franzen high places. The Audobon Society on Jonathan Franzen’s disingenuous letter on climate.
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