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
- 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
- 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?
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
- 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
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
Science
- 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?
- 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.
Travel
- 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