Awesome news from Nat Geo, Geron Corporation has been approved for human trials on paraplegics. Obama is expected to lift the ban on embryonic stems cells soon, so that more of these trails will be seen over the next few years. And finally we know if this area of research will develop into the results that have been hyped.
other stem cell research to look forward to: Novocell Inc.
From the New York Times, asks questions about why there aren’t more women in physics. The usual about there being opportunities for women to have it all, career and family while on a tenure track. Also that women tend to fall away from physics before graduating with a BS. Speaking from my experience, getting to what I think of as the cool stuff of physics (string theory, astrophysics, etc.) you had to sit through the dull stuff. And I didn’t have enough of a passion for the subject to get farther than the dull stuff. That and I still have to work at math.
From Science Daily, the view that allopatric speciation is the major force for speciation in the oceans is turned upside down. In an esoteric examination of fossilized foraminifera researchers found that barriers were not a factor in the plankton’s spread and diversification. But rather climate and nutrients were indicators of its colonizing an area.
Excuse the rant from yesterday, now back to science. From Wired’s blogs, and includes whale fossils, our beloved Tiktaalik, Tit genetics, Sticklebacks and what causes finches beaks to change are just a taste of the beauty of evolution. Also look on Panda’s Thumb for the series on blowing the myth of “macroevolution” out of the water.
So this piece from the Independent is about the stupid comments public figures make regarding science. As a science news junkie and a wanta-be biologist, I really don’t care about what celebrities have to say about science unless they are doing a science documentary. I care more about politicians who write and enact policy. We have seen over the last eight years what sort of harm that can do. Obama’s comments about the link between autism and vaccines not withstanding, his choices in the science advisors are awesome.
From Carnegie Institute for Science, about 2/3 of all known minerals have a biological origin. A major example of this are banded iron formations. The knowledge will aid in the search for life on other planets if certain minerals are found. The video interview of the lead author of the paper is good.
From Eureka Alert, A bacterial phage has been found in Iceland that can be used as a viral nanoparticle. Because of the way viruses work, they are ideal for self-assembly of materials.
Quote: “Future applications may be found in liquid crystal assembly, nanoscale templating, nanoelectronic and biomedical applications.” said Dr Dave Evans of the John Innes Centre.
A recent study of Vetiver grass, used in perfume and cosmetics has an associated bacteria that helps create different properties in the essential oil the grass produces. The grass produces base oil that various types of bacteria metabolize the create the different smells and tastes in the oil.
From Nat Geo, just in time for Halloween they have found a Siberian moth that drinks blood. It is only the male of the species and they think that it utilizes the salt in blood because they don’t get enough in their diet. Check out the cool video.
From New Scientist, while investigating the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, researchers have discovered supercritical fluid. And interestingly this fluid can leach important minerals(such as iron and manganese)from rock.