The Fount of Useless Information
Your place for useless information that just might possibly be interesting.
Eight-legged evolution exploits editing
RNA tweaks adapt octopuses to water temperature
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/337413/title/Eight-legged_evolution_exploits_editing
This is quite interesting because, as the author states:
…Researchers used to think that dialing down or amping up the activity of genes through DNA mutation was evolution’s
Thanks to Erik for pointing this out…
Chinese Government Plans to Cause Ten Percent More Rain By 2015
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-12/china-aims-modify-weather-producing-more-rain-produce-more-crops
Actually, if they are successful in increasing rain by 10% for a measly $157 million, they might be on to something. …
The GOP’s bizarre war on sex
Polls show we’re pro-choice, pro-gay marriage and ever kinkier. So why are the Republican candidates such prudes?
http://www.salon.com/2012/01/07/its_the_sex_stupid/singleton/
Yet another reason (as if it were needed) why I can no longer fit in with …
The political power of being naïve
Cynicism makes us complacent. 2011’s successful protests show how hope can change the system
http://www.salon.com/2012/01/05/the_political_power_of_being_naive/singleton/
The core of the problem is money. Remove the money and turning things around gets orders of magnitude easier …
Prof Aims to Rebuild Google With Stuff In Desk Drawer
http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/01/wimpy_nodes/
I have studied process optimization for many years, almost exclusively as a hobby because there is so little need for that skill that I can’t find any jobs (at …
Physicists Seek To Lose The Lecture As Teaching Tool
http://www.npr.org/2012/01/01/144550920/physicists-seek-to-lose-the-lecture-as-teaching-tool
I was thinking to myself as I read this article that if I had exams that tested comprehension of the concepts (as opposed to rote memorization of formulas and facts) …
Patients at risk after scientists withhold test results from clinical trials of new medicines
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2082116/Patients-risk-scientists-withhold-test-results-clinical-trials-new-medicines.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
There is already a huge bias in science where (almost) only positive results are ever reported, but, at least in most cases, there are not …
Software Scientist
With a little data, Eureqa generates fundamental laws of nature
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/337207/title/Software_Scientist
Hopefully this content will remain available.
This is something I would really have liked to be part of (see Eureqa). Conceptually it is the same as …
Bt: The lesson not learned
Science News reported 60-plus years ago how indiscriminate use of DDT ruined that chemical’s value: Now history seems to be repeating itself with Bt
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/337240/title/Bt_The_lesson_not_learned
I am not sure if this content remains free, so …
What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland’s School Success
The Scandinavian country is an education superpower because it values equality more than excellence.
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/12/what-americans-keep-ignoring-about-finlands-school-success/250564/
A very interesting article on education. It seems the Fins (as I believe the Finnish people are …