Biology

Gene Expression in PLoS ONE [A Blog Around The Clock]

2008-07-08T04:09:28Z

As you probably know by now, we have monthly themes in PLoS ONE. This month, the topic is Gene Expression , where there are more than 140 articles already, mainly looking at genome-wide expression and epigenetics. Of course, we want more. And I am still looking for a group to do a Journal Club on one of the related papers, so if you are interested, let me know. Read the comments on this post......(read more)

Asteroid Impacts and the Younger Dryas: New Evidence [Afarensis]

2008-07-06T04:29:27Z

The basics of the idea from Science Daily : Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post......(read more)

Some fossil tetrapod thing [Tetrapod Zoology]

2008-07-05T22:33:00Z

Here's a fossil I described recently. Does anyone want to have a go at identifying it? Don't worry, I know what it is (or, at least, I and my colleagues think I do), but why not go ahead and have fun. Note the scale bar... Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post......(read more)

Boy Band sings about automated pipetting [the video] [The World's Fair]

2008-07-02T20:11:43Z

This is silly is so many ways. Hat tip to the filter . Read the comments on this post......(read more)

Photo of the Day #272: Sandpiper [Laelaps]

2008-06-08T14:03:40Z

Photographed May 17, 2008 at the Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware. Read the comments on this post......(read more)

Is there a species rank? [Evolving Thoughts]

2008-06-08T08:33:13Z

The final of my comments on this topic (see one and two here) addresses the question whether or not there is a rank of species. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post......(read more)

Mama Knows Best [Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)]

2008-06-07T19:59:59Z

tags: northern cardinals , Cardinalis cardinalis , birds , Central Park , Image of the Day Mama knows best. Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [ larger ]. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post......(read more)

But could they really dribble? [Laelaps]

2008-06-07T19:58:01Z

Apparently dinosaurs just love to dunk .... Read the comments on this post......(read more)

How many types of dinosaurs were there? [Not Exactly Rocket Science]

2008-06-07T17:00:44Z

Few creatures, living or dead, can capture our imaginations like dinosaurs. But those of us who were mesmerised by these creatures as children may find today's cast strange and unfamiliar. Our well-known mainstays like Tyrannosaurus have been joined by Hollywood-sponsored favourites like Velociraptor , while new names are cropping up at great pace. Clearly, many new species are waiting to join the ranks. The question is: how many? According to a study from 2006, we have only scratched the surface...(read more)

Affirmed's Belmont Stakes Victory and Triple Crown Win [Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)]

2008-06-07T16:59:59Z

tags: Affirmed , Alydar , horseracing , Triple Crown , streaming video This is Affirmed's 1978 Belmont Stakes win which gave him horseracing's most recent Triple Crown win. This particular race is often cited as being the most exciting Belmont win in history. Remarkably, this was the first time in history that the same two horses, Affirmed and Alydar, finished one-two in all three of these races. This, combined with Affirmed's very small margins of victory in all three races (a combined...(read more)

Seattle Slew's Belmont Stakes Victory and Triple Crown Win [Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)]

2008-06-07T15:59:59Z

tags: Seattle Slew , horseracing , Triple Crown , streaming video Here's a video of Seattle Slew's victory in the Belmost Stakes in 1977 -- the speedy Seattle Slew was the first horse to win horseracing's Triple Crown while remaining undefeated. He also turned in a fast time, despite the crappy track conditions that he ran on. If Big Brown manages to win today's Belmont Stakes, he will become just the second racehorse to win the Triple Crown while remaining undefeated [3:04]. Read...(read more)

Secretariat's Belmont Stakes Victory and Triple Crown Win [Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)]

2008-06-07T14:59:59Z

tags: Secretariat , horseracing , Triple Crown , streaming video I hope that Big Brown wins today's Belmont Stakes here in New York, and in fact, I think he will win, especially since his only potential contender of note, Casino Drive, was scratched this morning. If Big Brown manages to win today, he will become only the 12th horse in more than 125 years, and our first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. But do I think that Big Brown is of the same caliber as Secretariat? Not a chance. Big Brown...(read more)

Mama and Papa Bank Rock: Behind the Green Mesh (Part 2) [Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)]

2008-06-05T19:59:59Z

tags: northern cardinals , Cardinalis cardinalis , birds , Central Park , Image of the Day Mama and Papa Bank Rock: Behind the Green Mesh. Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [ larger ]. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post......(read more)

A tidbit from Richard Owen [Laelaps]

2008-06-05T19:45:44Z

The skull of Machairodus , from Owen's A History of British Fossil Mammals, and Birds . Digging through the seemingly endless mass of 19th century paleontological literature that I have collected via Google Books, I happened across a very interesting quote from Richard Owen in his 1846 textbook A History of British Fossil Mammals, and Birds . Earlier in the week, while researching William Buckland's relationship to the bewitching "Red Lady" during the 1820's, I was struck by...(read more)

More Goings-on at the Scienceblog Book Club [The Loom]

2008-06-05T18:09:18Z

Don't forget to check in for the latest posts going up over at the Scienceblog Book Club . My book Microcosm has gotten us into a debate about the nature of life. Read the comments on this post......(read more)