Category Archives: Science

Mass Hysteria

Posted on September 27, 2007 by Gaius

Space.com is reporting that some experts believe that the reports of people getting sick after a meteor (properly a 'meteorite') landed in Peru are nothing more than mass hysteria. After villagers in Carancas heard the impact, those who rushed to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Science, World news | Comments Off

Running Hot And Cold

Posted on September 23, 2007 by Gaius

Changing positions: But Newsweek didn't note that (James) Hansen was a consultant to Al Gore's slide-show presentations on global warming. He also once received $250,000 from the Heinz Endowments, the foundation headed by Pittsburgh pickle princess Teresa Heinz. (Pittsburgh Tribune … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Politics, Science | 1 Comment

The Forgotten Man

Posted on September 15, 2007 by Gaius

Dr. Ralph Asher Alpher, 86, passed away on August 12, 2007. I only found this out today when my wife pointed it out to me. In a way, it somehow fits that his obituaries are somewhat late. So was recognition for the … Continue reading →

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Five Out Of Four Studies Are Wrong

Posted on September 15, 2007 by Gaius

Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it is not very far off the mark, either. According to a number of very authoritative studies by Dr. John Ioannidis, many research studies are wrong. And the hotter the research field, … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Science | 3 Comments

The Sea May Burn

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Gaius

Well I started out down a dirty road Started out all alone And the sun went down as I crossed the hill The town lit up the world got still Im learning to fly but I ain't got wings Comin … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Science | 11 Comments

Exploring Sinop D

Posted on August 25, 2007 by Gaius

Science has made some stunning advances in underwater technology in the past few years. A new expedition by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the University of Rhode Island (URI) and the Institute for Exploration (IFE) is testing a new system designed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | 1 Comment

The Fire May Be Banked, But It Sure Isn’t Out

Posted on August 23, 2007 by Gaius

"Our findings indicate that when it comes to sexual activity, older people are really just younger people later in life."  – Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau, Lead author of a new study on sexuality in the elderly. Here's a handy little … Continue reading →

Posted in Medicine, Science | 1 Comment

DDT Again Saving Lives

Posted on August 20, 2007 by Gaius

Here's an interesting article by Donald Roberts, an expert in tropical diseases, about the use of DDT to help control malaria in Africa. It turns out that using the insecticide indoors has a repellent effect even on mosquitoes that have … Continue reading →

Posted in Science, World news | Comments Off

Frozen Smoke

Posted on August 20, 2007 by Gaius

The Times of London has a report on a remarkable "new" substance that is now being developed into a myriad of useful products. Invented in 1931, Aerogel has only recently been refined enough to be anything more than a curiosity. But its … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | 2 Comments

Dodo DNA?

Posted on August 17, 2007 by Gaius

Scientists are rather excited about the very strong possibility of being able to extract some DNA from a recently discovered dodo skeleton named Fred. A newly discovered dodo skeleton has raised hopes for extracting some of the legendary extinct bird’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Foto Phun, Humor, Science | 3 Comments

Just Say Naaaaaa To Nerve Gas

Posted on July 25, 2007 by Gaius

American scientists, with funding from the US Department of Defense, have found a new way to produce an anti-toxin for nerve agents. Initial testing of the new drug shows that it would be more effective than the current drugs that … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Medicine, Science | 3 Comments

Disposable Tatoos

Posted on July 11, 2007 by Gaius

Researchers have found a new application for a technique originally developed for pharmaceutical products and other consumer goods. Microencapsulation was originally designed as a way to put a protective capsule around a product that would break down under certain conditions … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | 2 Comments

Seeing The Forest

Posted on July 8, 2007 by Gaius

The old saying about not seeing the forest for the trees comes to mind when reading this story from the Sunday Times. Scientists in Britain are using lidar to see through the forest entirely and discover the terrain beneath. That … Continue reading →

Posted in Science, World news | Comments Off

Heisenberg Would Be Miffed

Posted on July 5, 2007 by Gaius

Mike Murphy and Mark Mellman invoke the Heisenberg uncertainty principle to describe the ridiculously long presidential primary process that has started an absurdly long way out from the elections. Heisenberg would not be amused. It is reminiscent of the Heisenberg … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science | 1 Comment

We Can Erase It For You Retail

Posted on July 3, 2007 by Gaius

Tired of remembering your ex-spouse? Have a trauma in your past that you'd rather not recall? Well, researchers are actually working on erasing bad memories. And that should scare the bejabbers out of anyone who has read Phillip K. Dick's … Continue reading →

Posted in Medicine, Science | Comments Off