My scientific specialty is chronobiology (circadian rhythms and photoperiodism), with additional interests in comparative physiology, animal behavior and evolution. I am not an MD so I cannot diagnose and treat your sleep problems. As well as writing this blog, I am also the Online Discussion Expert for PLoS. This is a personal blog and opinions within it in no way reflect the policies of PLoS. You can contact me at: Coturnix@gmail.com
Young Australian Skeptics site is an excellent example of supporting other skeptics' writing. There's essays there by several of the 'regulars' of the Australian Skeptics of Carlos Blog Carnival, including: Karen Stollznow of Bad Language/Skepbitch; Kylie Sturgess of Podblack Blog / Skeptic Zone;…
Global Warming Link To Amphibian Declines In Doubt:
Evidence that global warming is causing the worldwide declines of amphibians may not be as conclusive as previously thought, according to biologists. The findings, which contradict two widely held views, could help reveal what is killing the frogs…
My SciBling, John Wilbanks has been interviewed for Seed Magazine's Game Changers series. Watch the movie:
John will be at ScienceOnline09, leading a session on Semantic web in science: how to build it, how to use it.
Hat - tip: Kaitlin Thaney (who can also be seen in the movie in the background…
There are 10 new articles in PLoS ONE today. As always, you should rate the articles, post notes and comments and send trackbacks when you blog about the papers. You can now also easily place articles on various social services (CiteULike, Connotea, Stumbleupon, Facebook and Digg) with just one…
We are busy preparing for The Open Laboratory 2008. The submissions have been trickling in all year, and a little bit more frequently recently, but it is time now to dig through your Archives for your best posts since December 20th 2007 and submit them. Submit one, or two, or several - no problem…
Ice Age Beasts In Europe: Migration Of The Woolly Rhinoceros Earlier Than Assumed:
The newly described skull of the oldest woolly rhinoceros in Europe shows that these giant creatures - with two impressively large horns on the bridge of their noses - once roamed across central Germany. The large…
Remember the mirror?
Well, having Tanja's art made on order is not the only option any more. She has just opened her online store.
And if you come to the ScienceOnline09 you'll get to meet Tanja in person as she is one of the moderators of the How to paint your own blog images session.
Yes, we can!
My SciBling Ed Yong has collected some of his best posts from the last year and published them as a book. Yes, I already bought a copy for myself. And you should, too - just order it here.
Ed says:
I started Not Exactly Rocket Science as a way of reaching out to people with no…
If while you are in school, there is a shortage of qualified personnel in a particular field, then by the time you graduate with the necessary qualifications, that field's employment market is glutted.
- Marguerite Emmons
There are 13 new articles in PLoS ONE today. As always, you should rate the articles, post notes and comments and send trackbacks when you blog about the papers. You can now also easily place articles on various social services, from CiteULike, Connotea and Stumbleupon, to Facebook and Digg, with…
Hourglass #5 is up on psique
Molecular and Cell Biology Carnival #4 is up on the skeptical alchemist
Grand Rounds Vol. 5 No. 8 are up on Musings of a Distractible Mind
The 150th Carnival of Homeschooling is up on Walking Therein
Getting Little Sleep May Be Associated With Risk Of Heart Disease (this is chronic sleep deprivation):
Sleeping less than seven and a half hours per day may be associated with future risk of heart disease, according to a new article. In addition, a combination of little sleep and overnight elevated…
Here is a great example by Cameron Neylon:
It's a little embarrassing...
...but being straightforward is always the best approach. Since we published our paper in PLoS ONE a few months back I haven't been as happy as I was about the activity of our Sortase. What this means is that we are now using…
The paranoid secrecy is one of the hallmarks of the Bush Administration. The signs are there that Obama will have the opposite approach. But how exactly?
Here, the staff of the Sunlight Foundation has posted a set of recommendations to Obama and his administration: Open Letter to the Obama…
...is right here in NC, an hour from here in Greensboro - the Proximity Hotel. The ceremony where the LEED Platinum designation was awarded was held today.
There are 10 new articles in PLoS ONE today. As always, you should rate the articles, post notes and comments and send trackbacks when you blog about the papers. Here are my own picks for the week - you go and look for your own favourites:
Imitation of Body Movements Facilitated by Joint…
Tom Levenson has an interesting idea:
A Modest Proposal: A Science Initiative for the Obama Administration
But I'd like to lay down one relatively cheap marker that would, I think, have a significant impact on both the culture and the productivity of American scientific research to a degree…
There is a very nice interview with Heather Joseph, the Executive Director of the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) about Open Access:
We find that the more policy makers delve into the issue and understand the benefits of the mandate for advancing science and improving…
Continuing with the Program we have set for theScienceOnline09, here are some sessions dealing with the Open Access, the freedom of information and the world of publishing:
Open Access publishing: present and future:
This session is moderated by Bill Hooker and Bjoern Brembs:
The world of…
Related to this discussion, there is a new interesting study out - Daily rhythms in blood vessels may explain morning peak in heart attacks:
It's not just the stress of going to work. Daily rhythms in the activity of cells that line blood vessels may help explain why heart attacks and strokes occur…
Red-eyed Treefrog Embryos Actively Avoid Asphyxiation Inside Their Eggs:
Boston University undergraduate Jessica Rogge and associate professor Karen Warkentin, working at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's laboratories in Gamboa, Panama, discovered that frog embryos at a very early…
Encephalon #58 is up on Highlight HEALTH
Carnival of the Green #153 is up on Natural Collection
And don't forget to submit your posts for the next edition of The Giant's Shoulders, to be held on November 15th on PodBlack Cat, and the next edition of Praxis to be held on November 15th at The Lay…
For the past several weeks before the election when it was already clear that Obama was going to win, I was looking for it and could not find it. During the election night coverage and the days immediately after, on TV, radio, newspapers and blogs I was looking for it and could not find it. Only…
So, let's see what's new in PLoS Genetics, PLoS Computational Biology, PLoS Pathogens, PLoS ONE and PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases this week. As always, you should rate the articles, post notes and comments and send trackbacks when you blog about the papers. Here are my own picks for the week -…
Social Interactions Can Alter Gene Expression In Brain, And Vice Versa:
Our DNA determines a lot about who we are and how we play with others, but recent studies of social animals (birds and bees, among others) show that the interaction between genes and behavior is more of a two-way street than…
