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Monkeys share human gender based toy preferences |
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| Topic: Science |
3:08 pm EST, Dec 12, 2002 |
] "Though the monkeys had no concept of a "boy" toy and a
] "girl" toy, they still showed the same gender preferences
] in playing with the toys, Alexander says." This is an interesting nature vs. nurture observation. Monkeys share human gender based toy preferences |
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Yahoo! News - Sex with a Twist ... Lemons Provide Protection |
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| Topic: Science |
11:49 pm EDT, Oct 10, 2002 |
Maybe the sexual revolution wasn't as big a deal as everyone says it was. Turns out there are contraceptives as old as the hills. Now, where did I put the tequilla... Yahoo! News - Sex with a Twist ... Lemons Provide Protection |
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Language Gene Is Traced to Emergence of Humans |
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| Topic: Science |
4:28 pm EDT, Aug 16, 2002 |
A study of the genomes of people and chimpanzees has yielded a deep insight into the origin of language, one of the most distinctive human attributes and a critical step in human evolution. The analysis indicates that language, on the evolutionary time scale, is a very recent development, having evolved only in the last 100,000 years or so. NYT covers the Nature publication. Language Gene Is Traced to Emergence of Humans |
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Sept. 11 Strikes at Labs' Doors |
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| Topic: Science |
4:05 pm EDT, Aug 16, 2002 |
University officials and leading scientists are warning that new government regulations on biological research adopted in the wake of Sept. 11, and simultaneous efforts to inhibit publication, threaten to undermine the fundamental openness of science and campus life. "This has the potential for changing the definition of science, the way people do science, and even what we mean when we say science." Under the new laws, only researchers with a "legitimate need" may have access to "select agents." If research could prove useful in making biological weapons, does it belong in the public forum, or should it be suppressed by scientists or the government? Sept. 11 Strikes at Labs' Doors |
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| Topic: Science |
2:58 am EDT, Jul 29, 2002 |
" I think it is very definitely worth the struggle to try and do first-class work because the truth is, the value is in the struggle more than it is in the result." If you haven't heard of Hamming you haven't done datacomm. This article is a nice collection of truths about what it takes to make things happen. Its not limited to science. The truths apply everywhere. They all should be obvious. You've heard them all before. The one quote above is the central tenet of Taoism. Its nice to have all these truths in one place. Its good to remind yourself of them. This is the sort of thing you keep around for inspiration every once in a while. I imagine it could be like one of those CDs you just never get sick of. I'm going to try to remember to read this again in a few months time. You and Your Research |
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Yahoo! News - New Research to Find Environment-Cleansing Bugs |
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| Topic: Science |
2:08 pm EDT, Jul 26, 2002 |
"Microbes that thrive on nuclear waste, that can scrub greenhouse gases from the air and turn toxic soil pure again are the targets of new federal research funds" A box that goes on the exhaust pipe of everyone's car that contains microbes or nano-bots that convert the pollution into something clean. Edible plants that grow on the surface of Mars... Yahoo! News - New Research to Find Environment-Cleansing Bugs |
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Scientists Worry Journals May Aid Terrorists |
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| Topic: Science |
2:03 pm EDT, Jul 26, 2002 |
The president of the American Society for Microbiology has sought the advice of the National Academy of Sciences on whether scientific journals should withhold information that may aid bioterrorists or countries contemplating biological warfare. He wrote, "We are now being asked to allow authors to withhold critical information because of concern that significant data could be misappropriated or abused." Don Kennedy, editor at _Science_, argues against such a proposal. For the record, the computer security industry has already covered this problem. There may be some lessons there. 1. People often publish for the purpose of recognition. When you are dealing with sensitive subjects some responsibility must be taken. Publish your results to those who need to know, and make them more public if you feel the public needs to know. 2. When publishing to the public, make sure that you alter your directions in such a matter that experienced scientists can replicate your results, but inexperienced scientists won't be able to figure them out. 3. Uphold ethical/moral standards in your profession. 4. Do not create unreasonable barriers to entry for people who just want to learn. 5. Do not allow capable, creative people to wind up in a situation where the easiest path to economic security or intellectual freedom is by working for the enemy. Cases in point: Bolivian virus writers, Russian nuke scientists, the Canadian guy who built long range cannons for Iraq after the U.S. fired him... It is possible for us to act responsibly, and this IS a two way street. There is a balance that can be obtained which provides barriers to terrorists without creating barriers to free thought. The difficulty is in getting everyone to agree on what enlightened self interest consists of. Frankly, scientists are more likely to "get it" then many other communities. However, this will be hard. Scientists Worry Journals May Aid Terrorists |
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Scientists and Terrorists |
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| Topic: Science |
1:34 pm EDT, Jul 20, 2002 |
To the Editor: Terrorists and torturers read the scientific literature in order to learn new ways of inflicting pain and avoiding prosecution. The scientists who created polio virus in their laboratory and published the results (front page, July 12) have played into the hands of state-sponsored perpetrators who have the intention of developing instruments of mass destruction. The United States and the international community need a system of governance and public debate to monitor, curtail and punish those scientists who engage in this type of reckless behavior. RICHARD F. MOLLICA, M.D.
Boston, July 14, 2002
The writer is director, Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, Massachusetts General Hospital. The new U.S. federal guidelines for proper and legal thought will be published next Wednesday... Scientists and Terrorists |
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