The ideas are presented in a clear way, with minimal mathematics, so even students without a deep knowledge of mathematics and statistical physics will be able to rely on this as a reference. Special attention is given to real networks, both natural and artificial. Collected empirical data and numerous real applications of existing theories are discussed in detail, as well as the topical problems of communication networks.

Evolution of Networks: From Biological Nets to the Internet and WWW

Daniel Dennett's new book is reviewed in the Sunday New York Times.

'Freedom Evolves': Evolution Explains It All for You

Duncan Watts, a Columbia University sociology professor and a former Fullbright scholar, has written a new book about the science of social networks. He has studied at the Sante Fe Institute, and his work has been published in Nature, Physical Review, Physical Review Letters, numerous arXiv working papers, and a prior book, _Small Worlds_.

Six Degrees: The Science of a Connected Age

On March 23-24, 2003, the second in a series of international workshops on interstellar message design will be held in Paris. The workshop will focus on two broad themes: first, the interface of art, science, and technology in interstellar message design; and second, how to communicate concepts of altruism in interstellar messages.

Now, this is a SETI project I like ... plus, it could help to revive a long-running debate.

Alternatively, if you're in the mood to ponder "The Question": have you considered becoming an intergalactically renowned author? Unfortunately, no matter how well your work sells, the royalty payments will never arrive within your lifetime. Unless you're Mickey Mouse, of course.

Encoding Altruism: The Art and Science of Interstellar Message Composition 2003 workshop

Dr. Pinker argued that these fears are based on fallacies. Scientific discoveries about the genetic, evolutionary, and neurobiological bases of the mind do not, in fact, threaten central values, but rather can strengthen them. Once empirical discoveries on how the mind works are distinguished from moral and political issues, we can have both an honest science of human nature and values such as individual responsibility and political equity.

Listen to an audio file of the lecture.

The Modern Denial of Human Nature | Steven Pinker Lecture

Abstract: We describe the generation of transgenic silkworms that produce cocoons containing recombinant human collagen. A fusion cDNA was constructed encoding a protein that incorporated a human type III procollagen mini-chain with C-propeptide deleted, a fibroin light chain (L-chain), and an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP).

This cDNA was ligated downstream of the fibroin L-chain promoter and inserted into a piggyBac vector. Silkworm eggs were injected with the vectors, producing worms displaying EGFP fluorescence in their silk glands. The cocoons emitted EGFP fluorescence, indicating that the promoter and fibroin L-chain cDNAs directed the synthesized products to be secreted into cocoons.

The presence of fusion proteins in cocoons was demonstrated by immunoblotting, collagenase-sensitivity tests, and amino acid sequencing. The fusion proteins from cocoons were purified to a single electrophoretic band. This study demonstrates the viability of transgenic silkworms as a tool for producing useful proteins in bulk.

Subscription required for acccess to full text.

Transgenic silkworms produce recombinant human type III procollagen in cocoons

] A silkworm that spins a protein from human skin has been
] created in Japan. The technology could introduce
] biotechnology to silk-manufacturing countries.
]
] The genetically engineered worms spool out thread that
] contains a form of the human protein collagen and weave
] it into their cocoons1. The insects carry sections of the
] human collagen gene.

Here's the news coverage from Nature Scence Update.

Silkworm spins skin

] About a year ago, researchers [took] genetic material
] from spiders, spliced it into mammalian cells and used
] the cells to produce silk proteins.
]
] Now, researchers in Japan have done a similar bit of
] genetic engineering, only with a reverse goal in mind.
] They've modified silkworms to produce a mammalian protein
] -- specifically, human-type collagen -- along with silk
] in their cocoons.

Down a New Silk Road

The first issue of 2003 will be January 7.

Downloads from the Science magazine web site are free for the next week. Dig in!

Science Magazine - Free Access!

The Landsat: Earth as Art exhibit highlights images that were selected on the basis of aesthetic appeal. These images use the visceral avenue of art to convey the thrilling perspective of the Earth that Landsat provides to the viewer.

The high-res images are good for desktop backgrounds. The ultra-high-res images (TIFF) can be made into full-size posters. Kinkos, anyone?

Earth As Art