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
Today's New York Times has a good article about jet-lag: The Science of Zzzzz's. I am glad to hear that JetBlue is using scientific advice in helping their pilots be fresh and alert, especially now that JetBlue has started flying from RDU.
New Depression Findings Could Alter Treatments.
Kids on antidepressants more likely to commit suicide? I have heard about this several times before, but I believe this is a first study directly asking this question:
"The researchers found no link between the antidepressant drugs and suicidal…
I was wondering why it took Kevin so long to send in another report. Well, he was sick...
Chinese "Ebola"
This write up is going to be short and concise. Most of the days it consists of I wasn't in the mood for remembering details, so some of these days will fly by.
22 July
Today was another town…
Do you want to know more about my kids and how we are raising them? If so, this post from March 21, 2005 may be interesting to you.
I have two kids: an 11-year old son (Coturnix Jr.) and an 8-year old daughter (Coturnietta). They are really smart and cool kids and I love talking with them about…
Today appears to be the day when all ScienceBloggers link to XKCD comics. As a clock person around here, I had to find one that deals with biological oscillations and I quickly found one with Fourier transforms...under the fold:
In the comments to this recent post, Pedro Beltao points out his recent post - Opening up the scientific process - which I would suggest you read.
First reaction will probably be - ah, how idealistic! But it will make you think, I believe. Many elements are already happening, e.g., open-source…
Sexual Lyrics Prompt Teens to Have Sex:
Teens whose iPods are full of music with raunchy, sexual lyrics start having sex sooner than those who prefer other songs, a study found.
Whether it's hip-hop, rap, pop or rock, much of popular music aimed at teens contains sexual overtones. Its influence on…
A short post from April 17, 2005 that is a good starting reference for more detailed posts covering recent research in clock genetics (click on spider-clock icon to see the original).
As I have mentioned before, there was quite an angst in the field of chronobiology around 1960s about the lack of…
My wife and kids went to the beach last week. When they returned they gave me a present. Frankly, I wasn't expecting a present at all, so I found it funny that they felt apprehensive that I woud not like the present as it was cheap. Then I opened it, and it was....
...the Drinking Happy Bird…
Tim Lambert alerts us that a new book about blogging, Uses Of Blogs, edited by Axel Bruns and Joanne Jacobs, is now out.
Joanne Jacobs, John Quiggin, Mark Bahnisch, Jean Burgess and Melissa Gregg are some of the contributors to the book, looking at various uses of blogs, from personal to political…
...and you'll never think about them the same way again. This is the ultimate science-fiction-come-true gadget (pun intended).
How about a "Guess the Song" game with the iPod swicthed to 'mute'?
While I am teaching the biology lab, I set this post to show up automatically at the same time. It describes what we do today, the same stuff we did back on April 02, 2006:
So, yesterday was the last, fourth meeting of the lab. We started out by going over their homework questions about the…
We have recently covered interesting reproductive adaptations in mammals, birds, insects, flatworms, plants and protists. For the time being (until I lose inspiration) I'll try to leave cephalopod sex to the experts and the pretty flower sex to the chimp crew.
In the meantime, I want to cover…
It's been a very busy day (and I am teaching tomorrow morning), but I am working on Friday Weird Sex Blogging right now. Lots of pictures. It will posted later tonight....
Oversimplified, but much believed idea: Many cancer drugs target cells during cell division. Healthy cells divide at a particular time of day (exact timing may differ between cell types). Cancer cells are not under the control of the circadian clock so they divide at all times of the day (and…
This post from October 21, 2004 laments the lack of spatial and temporal context for Lakoff's theory of political ideology.
As I have complained before, Lakoff's theory leaves me wanting for a spatial and a temporal context. In other words, I believe that current analysis will remain untested…
Have you been reading The Rude Pundit lately. He's got a fantastic line-up of guestbloggers, all female, and all rejoicing in the opportunity to be as rude possible. The latest today, It's all about sex by Pam. Read them all.
Intriguing, and I hope it's true, but Harry Reid denies it vehemently. Anything to get Hillary out of the Presidential race, I say. (Hat-tip: Shakespeare's Sister)
But what would Harry do? Replace Dean as DNC Chair?
Lance speculates.
I was correct when I made the similar prediction for Volume 6, but I am out of my league now. Perhaps I'll have to do some more thinking on the topic....
Interesting, if you are in the field:
The Neurospora Checkpoint Kinase 2: A Regulatory Link Between the Circadian and Cell Cycles
by António M. Pregueiro, Qiuyun Liu, Christopher L. Baker, Jay C. Dunlap, Jennifer J. Loros
The clock gene period-4 (prd-4) in Neurospora was identified by a single…
Since Creationists do not believe in Carbon Dating, they are not allowed to use this service. The only requirement is that you are capable of remaining isotopic during a conversation.
In other news, Jenna, TNG and John have, so far, responded to my book meme tag. Update: And Greensmile did it as…
My friend Ron reminds me that the next edition of the International Carnival of Pozitivities is due August 10 on AIDS Combat Zone. If you are HIV positive, submit an entry, if not, link to the carnival and spread the awareness.
A three-fer from Echidne:
Divorce -- Preparing For Travels in Wingnuttia
Christian Lady Blogging -- Part One Of Travels in Wingnuttia
Divorce: Part Two of Travels in Wingnuttia
Predators Prefer To Hunt Small-brained Prey
Predators such as leopards and chimpanzees consistently target smaller-brained prey less capable of escape, research at the University of Liverpool has shown.They avoid more intelligent prey such as monkeys which have exceptionally large brains and are…
