Science « meme patch

Well Duh of the Day

By Michael, on June 12th, 2009%

Plant what you want to get. – My Grandfather, Ted Rindahl The New Scientist breaks the new, based on an Australian study that men prefer averagely shaped women. Gee have 100 guys “judge the attractiveness of 201 line drawings of female torsos” and they pick the ones most like real, and average, women. Now think [...] . . . → Read More: Well Duh of the Day

Tequila into Diamonds

By Michael, on November 8th, 2008%

It took just the right proportions of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon. Mexican scientists found it in 80 proof tequila blanco and made the liquor into diamonds. This is so much more fun than using “organic solutions such as acetone, ethanol, and methanol.” Obviously this requires more research. The initial test was done with cheap silver [...] . . . → Read More: Tequila into Diamonds

Phone Silence Bias

By Michael, on September 24th, 2008%

In early May I wrote The Silence of the Phones observing the lack of polling calls after cutting off the land line. I wondered if polling was skewed by not including the increasing population of cell phone only Americans. Since that time I’ve received repeated assurances that pollsters make sure their polls are correct by [...] . . . → Read More: Phone Silence Bias

Go Veg for the Global Climate

By Michael, on September 7th, 2008%

The UN’s top climate scientist, Rajendra Pachauri, said “direct emissions from meat production account for about 18% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions” this compares to 13% for transportation. Meat production creates almost 50% more greenhouse gas emissions than all that driving around we do? This is a bit of a surprise. That figure [...] . . . → Read More: Go Veg for the Global Climate

Obama Science Actions

By Michael, on September 5th, 2008%

There have been repeated calls for more details from Obama about what he will do besides “change”. Science Debate 2008 sent 14 questions to both campaigns. The questions cover our education system, stem cell research, global warming, water, research, health and more. Obama responded. Some excerpts: I strongly support expanding research on stem cells. I [...] . . . → Read More: Obama Science Actions

Trust Drug

By Michael, on May 22nd, 2008%

Why does this scare me? The BBC reportsResearchers at Zurich University have developed a nasal spray to deliver hormone oxytocin, the “cuddle drug”, which increases trust levels. A snort of this and you relax and trust. You continue to trust after having your trust betrayed. . . . → Read More: Trust Drug

Late Sun Day

By Michael, on January 7th, 2008%

It’s over for another year. Today for those of us in the northern hemisphere the sun rose later than it does on any other day of the year. Starting tomorrow the sun will rise a bit earlier each day until early summer. This also means days will be getting longer more quickly with both sunrise [...] . . . → Read More: Late Sun Day

Common Canola

By Michael, on December 21st, 2007%

An article (view ad to see for yourself) on the recent US Energy bill contains this nugget “the favorite biofuel worldwide, biodiesel from rapeseed, releases up to 70 percent higher total greenhouse gas than regular diesel..” The source of the information is the paper N2O release from agro-biofuel production negates global warming reduction by replacing [...] . . . → Read More: Common Canola

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