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
Anne-Marie wrote an excellent review of Evolution in Four Dimensions by Eva Jablonka and Marion Lamb.
I tend to think that the use of the term "neo-Lamarckism" (just like the use of "neo-Darwinism") is unnecessary as it will raise hackles and start linguistic battles instead of invite people to…
The new edition (first online edition) of Scope, the MIT Grad Program in Science Writing's student webzine, is out (hat-tip to Tom) with several great articles. Check out, for instance, Words (Just Might) Hurt Me: The Trouble with 'Theory'.
Emergence Among the Trees
The actual world needs better writers
...but is it the opiate of the masses?
In safe hands
Alan Keyes and other third party news
Sometimes I Cannot Believe What We Have Allowed to be Done in Our Name
Why Aren't Students Interested in a Career in Science?, Humanistic…
I know it's an arbitrary number, but it still looks cool:
(Apparently, the 1000000th and the 1000001st visitors arrived simultaneously). Back when I just started I never thought this was even possible.
The millionth visitor came here from Oakland, California, entered the site at this post, and…
The WiSE panel earlier today was fun and informative. On the content - later. Perhaps two other SciBlings who were in the audience will have better renditions anyway. The panel was recorded and once the recording and other blog posts are available, I will give you the links. For now, just…
Giant Panda Mating Season At National Zoo:
The 2008 giant panda mating season began Tuesday, March 18, at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Female Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and male Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) attempted to mate throughout the day Tuesday.
The Song Doesn't Remain The Same In Fragmented…
I live a day at a time. Each day I look for a kernel of excitement. In the morning I say: What is my exciting thing for today? Then, I do the day. Don't ask me about tomorrow.
- Barbara Charline Jordan
Plant Classification from Bat-Like Echolocation Signals:
Bats are able to classify plants using echolocation. They emit ultrasonic signals and can recognize the plant according to the echo returning from it. This ability assists them in many of their daily activities, like finding food sources…
Here we go again! Who is cooler, Echinoderms or Molluscs? You decide for yourself, but I have decided a long time ago:
Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber
Remember this study from last month? Well, apparently NYTimes picked up on it and now all the bloggers are picking it apart - see what Dave Bacon, Jake Young and Mark Hoofnagle have to say. I think this study, started as a joke, is about to be revisited seriously with a huge data-set and various…
What Gets A Female's Attention, At Least A Songbird's:
Male songbirds produce a subtly different tune when they are courting a female than when they are singing on their own. Now, new research offers a window into the effect this has on females, showing they have an ear for detail. The finding…
WiSE, a network of Women in Science and Engineering at Duke University is hosting a panel Shaping the world, one job at a time: An altruistic/alternative career panel tomorrow, Friday, at noon in Teer 203. If you want to show up, please RSVP online as soon as possible so they know how many boxed…
Time, when it is left to itself and no definite demands are made on it, cannot be trusted to move at any recognized pace. Usually, it loiters; but just when one has come to count on its slowness, it may suddenly break into a wild, irrational gallop.
- Edith Wharton, 1862 - 1937
Pre-accountability
Getting Jaked
Space Kimchi (but can they fix sarma on the Space Station?)
Flare Research - Well damn...
When Life Needs Porpoise
Live from Seattle: Fatal intracerebral mass bleeding edition
So my lovely oldest is 16 and a half...
A Few Important Posts (about animal rights)
Ocelot…
Should we have a third culture?:
The present problems with science communication are not only a result of mediocre writing skills or the diminished view of popularization the some scientists take. The public, aptly described as "consumers," have not developed much of a taste for science. As…
Loss Of Egg Yolk Genes In Mammals And The Origin Of Lactation And Placentation:
If you are reading this, you did not start your life by hatching from an egg. This is one of the many traits that you share with our mammalian relatives. A new article explores the genetic changes that led mammals to…
In one of those "if you like this you may also like this" e-mails from Amazon.com, I got a suggestion I may like a book called Blogging Heroes: Interviews with 30 of the World's Top Bloggers. So, I took a look. I've been blogging since 2004, so I thought I knew who the top bloggers were and could…
There are 41 new articles published in PLoS ONE tonight. Look around, rate, comment, and send trackbacks. Here are my picks for this week:
Song Diversity Predicts the Viability of Fragmented Bird Populations:
In the global scenario of increasing habitat fragmentation, finding appropriate…
Scenes from the science fair
Funerals Make Me Glad to Be an Atheist
Laurie Garrett talks global health at U of Iowa
Small Bodied Humans From Palau
Chinese Water Torture
Wheat and climate change
The Quail and They can hide, but they won't run
Democrats Are Losing Perspective
Let's see, what to call…
