I’ve Got Your Missing Links Right Here (27 June 2015)
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[A slightly curtailed selection this week as I’ve been away at a conference. Normal service will resume in July.]
Top picks
You know when you get a splinter & your body expels it? Starfish can do that but to an EXTREME degree. By Liz Preston.
This Tumblr of Epic Conducting Photos (and GIFs) made my day.
A “feeling for the organism” – David Baltrus is absolutely right on the need for natural history in the era of genomics
Maria Konnikova on whether pornography is bad for us. Spoiler: no.
“Certain people, researchers have discovered, can’t summon up mental images — it’s as if their mind’s eye is blind.” Carl Zimmer on aphantasia.
Can the Bacteria in Your Gut Explain Your Mood? Peter Andrey Smith on the science of the “gut-brain axis”
More
Inside the Fight to Stop Giraffes’ ‘Silent Extinction’
New fossil gives some clues about how turtles got their shells.
The hard science of oxytocin [spoiler: not just a hug hormone]
Early focus groups, mostly women, told Microsoft they felt like Clippy was leering at them.
Human-organs-on-chips win Design of the Year
A vengeful firefly? Serial killer at a rave? Compromised spy with a flare gun? Oh, right, millipede.
Why Argentina is the bookshop capital of the world
Science has just published a comment seriously calling into question the “Chick Mental Number Line” story that I reported on.
Chris Chambers and Brian Nosek on new journal guidelines for open science and reproducibility
Giraffe survives battle wound, adapts to life with a zig-zag neck
Obama interviews Attenborough!!!
“What do we do when antibiotics don’t work any more?” Maryn McKenna’s excellent TED talk is live.
Astoundingly beautiful: Radiant reefs found deep in the Red Sea
World’s Frogs Unveil 5-Million-Year Plan To Move Up Food Chain
Racehorses are getting faster. Why?
“Study: Floating Heap Of Trash Now Ocean’s Apex Predator”
New fossil gives some clues about how turtles got their shells.
What happens when you want your crazy futuristic cyborg implant removed?
The Onion on mass extinctions
This artist drew modern animals like the way we draw dinosaurs and it’s horrifying
An impossible sight on Earth: 3 crescent moons in 1 shot, Titan, Rhea & Mimas, frm Cassini
An investigation into the perks and pitfalls of being a celebrity tree
Filling in the story of Europe’s first humans
“It was as if were looking directly into life’s birthplace.” Jen Barone travels to some hydrothermal vents.
Go Further
Animals
- 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? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- 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?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
Science
- 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.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
Travel
- How to plan an epic summer trip to a national parkHow to plan an epic summer trip to a national park
- This town is the Alps' first European Capital of CultureThis town is the Alps' first European Capital of Culture
- This royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala LumpurThis royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala Lumpur
- This author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomadsThis author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomads