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Category: science
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Chemophobia: Pesticides
There is a lot of misconception about the presence of pesticide residue on and in foods. I see it frequently, and I was curious to see how based it was in reality. I’ll readily admit that I maintain a high level of skepticism when I see claims from certain quarters – anything coming out of…
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Food, Fads, and Fooey
I’m up to my eyeballs in work, life, and a strong craving for significant time spent outdoors in the amazing late summer weather with my hiking boots and camera. That last part isn’t happening, but I can dream. I am spending some of my off moments in research, as always. I want to do up…
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Chemophobia: Origins and Legislated Existence
The origins of this post, at least, and the ones I have planned to follow on, stem in the recent decision by a court to fine the ever-livin’ daylights out of a company based not on science, but the science illiteracy of a judge and jury, and the politicization of science. I’m speaking, of course,…
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Paleomicrobiology and Other Interests
So every now and then I run across a book I would really love to read, but cannot bring myself to justify buying – not even in the name of research. Paleomicrobiology of Humans is one such. (You can read a detailed review of it here, if you’re interested) It’s a fascinating concept, and although it’s not…
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Fear is a Strange Soil
In aid of promoting greater science literacy and understanding, I give you: GMO the good stuff. We see a lot of media about genetically modified organisms, and most of it is bad news. I don’t understand the fear of it, which is largely fuelled by poor understanding, media sensationalism, and a positively appalling lack of…
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Sunday Art: Assassin
One of the things about hunting for bugs is that I get to observe them at their daily lives. And sometimes I catch the most secretive of them in the act. On this particular day I was out with the macro lens, when I spotted a tachnid fly sitting on a Black-Eyed Susan. I maneuvered…
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Material Excitement
This one’s for my kids, specifically the Junior Mad Scientist and the Little Man. Remember how I told you that they are looking for people to specialize in Materials Sciences, and you both looked at me funny? Well, these might help you understand just how cool, and diverse, that field is. Also, there are scholarships…
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Wild Lettuce
I was told about the amazing medicinal qualities of wild lettuce recently, and my immediate vocal reaction was “that’s interesting, I’ll have to do a little research.” What I didn’t say out loud, but was thinking, was which species? As it turns out, my internal commentary was the bit I should have said out loud,…
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A Feast of Science
I came across a book review on a blog I enjoy (Science Based Medicine) and I’m buying the book… it looks really interesting. He says he feasts on science, but it can be hard to know which table to sit at, since the Internet and the media serve up a steady stream of dishes filled…
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Curing the Fear of Werewolves
This is a cure that could kill, on more than one level. That it is careless, sensational, and downright dumb surprises me not at all, but then again… people will fall for it. People have fallen for it. it’s not medicine, but culturally we’ve built up a scorn for medicine and pharmaceuticals, and this is…
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Pandora’s Gun
I don’t often talk about it, but I’m a strong supporter of the second amendment. For that matter, I support all the amendments. What I don’t believe, though, is that the government in some way has granted us those rights. I believe we are born to those rights, and the government has simply codified our…
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Science Flights of Fancy
Ever considered using your hair for tapping into the internet? Or as an antenna? Or…? Personally, I’ve used my hair as a weapon, having worn it as long as past my waist, and put up into a whip-like braid. Long enough to sit on! If I dyed it with graphene, in the new process that…