Observations
Masks and Emasculation: Why Some Men Refuse to Take Safety Precautions
They think it makes them look weak, and avoiding that is evidently more important to them than demonstrating responsible behavior
Blogs
Observations
How a Landmark Physics Paper from the 1970s Uncannily Describes the COVID-19 Pandemic
Phil Anderson’s article “More Is Different” describes how different levels of complexity require new ways of thinking. And as the virus multiplies and spreads, that’s just what the human race desperately needs...
Observations
The Fight against COVID-19 Threatens to Cause Collateral Health Damage
The pandemic is no excuse to abandon chronic disease management and prevention
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Anecdotes from the Archive
Battleship Optimism Ignores Reality, 1915
Reported in Scientific American, This Week in World War I: July 10, 1915 An article in the July 10, 1915 issue of Scientific American carried an article about plans for a new French battleship, the Tourville (and by extension the sister ships in the class: Duquesne, Lyon and Lille )...
Beautiful Minds
Mentors Matter: In Loving Memory of Nicholas J. Mackintosh (1935-2015)
Today would have been my mentor's 80th birthday. Happy Birthday Nick and thanks for showing me that mentors really do matter.
Cross-Check
Much-touted Deep-Brain-Stimulation Treatment for Depression Fails Another Trial
The much-touted deep-brain-stimulation treatment for depression has failed a second major trial.
Rosetta Stones
Seward Park: A Scientific Wonderland in Seattle
Seattle's not only a lovely city, it's got gorgeous parks and some bonza geology tucked away just about everywhere. Reader Galway asked for interesting places to take kids around here, so this summer, I'll be writing up some of my favorite places for you...
Food Matters
Fin (the End): Putting a Stop to the Consumption of Shark Fin Soup
The Confederate flag. Donald Trump’s rants during campaign season. Shark fin soup. Not all traditions should be continued. Shark fin soup originated during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279), but it wasn’t until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) that the dish became popular amongst the aristocracy...
Roots of Unity
What It Feels like to Be Cedric VIllani
The Fields Medalist's memoir gives us a glimpse into the emotional highs and lows of being a passionate mathematician.
Guest Blog
Carpe Eat'um: Invasive Asian Carp Leap into Restaurants, Grocery Stores
Benefit concert features pro chef’s carp cuisine creations
Extinction Countdown
Wolves and Monkeys: Unusual Hunting Buddies
In Ethiopia, rare wolves and primates have developed a great way to co-exist
Cross-Check
Meta-Meditation: A Skeptic Meditates on Meditation
The media are touting meditation’s potential for treating everything from anxiety to AIDS, but strong, objective evidence is lacking.
Life, Unbounded
A Tale of Interstellar Progress
Interstellar travel may present some unforseen problems in this short fiction
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Explore the science behind the dog in your bed
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Mathematics: learning it, doing it, celebrating it.
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Adventures in the good science of rock-breaking.
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STAFFIllustrating science since 1845
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STAFFA science blog, sans blague
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A Blog About the Weird Wonderfulness of Life on Earth
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Exploring and celebrating diversity in science.
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