grrlscientist | July 23, 2009tags: Old Town, Tallinn, Estonia, cities, image of the day
St. Olav's Church (Oleviste kirik) is the tall spire on the right.
Old Town, Tallinn, Estonia.
Image: GrrlScientist, 22 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It was first placed on a map in 1154 and archeologists have found the first traces of human settlement in Tallinn's city center that are approximately 5000 years old.
grrlscientist | July 23, 2009
After much agony and angst, it seems that the yesterday's upgrade of the Scienceblogs' site code was successful. Comments and blog entries are publishing as they should and with little wait time, so it appears that this was successful, thanks to the wonderful IT Systems consultant, who was hired to solve our problems! If you experience any problems, please do post about them here and be sure to tell me which browser you were using (we are noticing differences based on which browser and which browser version being used), the time (EDT) that it happened, what you were trying to do and what…
grrlscientist | July 23, 2009tags: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery birds] Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, photographed at High Island, Texas. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Joseph Kennedy, 19 May 2009 [larger view].
Nikon D200 ,Kowa 883 telescope with TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/320s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
grrlscientist | July 23, 2009
Image: wemidji (Jacques Marcoux).
Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est (And thus knowledge itself is power)
-- Sir Francis Bacon.
Scientia Pro Publica (Science for the People) is a blog carnival that celebrates the best science, nature and medical writing targeted specifically to the public that has been published in the blogosphere within the past 60 days. To send your submissions to Scientia Pro Publica, either use this automated submission form or use the cute little widget on the right (sometimes that widget doesn't upload when the mother site is sick). Be sure to include the URL or "…
grrlscientist | July 23, 2009tags: Richard Dawkins, evolution, University of Nebraska State Museum, Diatoms, Yellowstone Lake, Stephanodiscus yellowstonensis, religion, fundamentalism, streaming video
Richard Dawkins explains how microscopic algae called Diatoms uniquely evolved in Yellowstone Lake in response to climate change [2:09]
What will the creationists and other fundamentalists say in response to these data?
grrlscientist | July 23, 2009tags: Gordon Brown, world wide web, WWW, social injustice, poverty, security, climate change, economy, ethics, streaming video
We're at a unique moment in history, argues UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown: we can use today's interconnectedness to develop our shared global ethic -- and work together to confront the challenges of poverty, security, climate change and the economy [16:43]
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes.
grrlscientist | July 22, 2009The current Antarctic Trip Vote count is as follows; 1983 - 1177 - 1135 - 840 - 788 out of 363 candidates registered. I am in second place, trying to recapture first place.
If you've already voted, then please encourage your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors to vote for the person whom you think would be best for this unique job: traveling to Antarctica for the month of February 2010 and writing about it for the public on a blog. Here is my 300-word essay; hopefully, you will agree that I am a very well-qualified candidate for this job opportunity. Voting ends at noon EDT 30…
grrlscientist | July 22, 2009tags: Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
I expected to see hobbits running around this part of Suomenlinna,
but alas ..
Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland.
Image: GrrlScientist, 19 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
I have returned to one of my two favorite haunts in Helsinki; Suomenlinna. This island fortress was built from stone by the Swedes to protect Finland (a part of Sweden in the 1700s) from invasion by sea.
grrlscientist | July 22, 2009tags: Ruff, Philomachus pugnax, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Ruff, Philomachus pugnax photographed in Swakopmund, Namibia, Africa [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Dennis Paulson, April 2007 [larger view].
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds as of this date.
grrlscientist | July 22, 2009tags: TEDTalks, medicine, Psychopathic Killers, epigenetics, brain damage, psychology, MAOA gene, serotonin, Jim Fallon, streaming video
In this video, Gever Tulley uses engaging photos and footage to demonstrate the valuable lessons kids learn at his Tinkering School. When given tools, materials and guidance, these young imaginations run wild and creative problem-solving takes over to build unique boats, bridges and even a rollercoaster! [4:42]
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give…
grrlscientist | July 22, 2009tags: Onion News Network, ONN, Princess Diana, 120-car Pile-up, humor, funny, satire, fucking hilarious, streaming video
Yesterday's 259 car pile-up on the autobahn in Germany reminded me of this tragic news report that I'd always meant to share with my friends -- especially one of my British friends who is relocating to Germany [1:56]
grrlscientist | July 21, 2009The current Antarctic Trip Vote count is as follows; 1933 - 1165 - 1123 - 774 - 581 out of 357 candidates registered. I have excellent news: I am once again in second place after one of my Reddit peeps whipped up support for me among my fellow Redditers! THANK YOU REDDIT!
If you've already voted, then please encourage your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors to vote for the person whom you think would be best for this unique job: traveling to Antarctica for the month of February 2010 and writing about it for the public on a blog. Here is my 300-word essay; hopefully, you will agree…
grrlscientist | July 21, 2009tags: Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
Suomenlinna in summer, 3 [the same place in the winter]
Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland.
Image: GrrlScientist, 19 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
I have returned to one of my two favorite haunts in Helsinki; Suomenlinna. This island fortress was built from stone by the Swedes to protect Finland (a part of Sweden in the 1700s) from invasion by sea.
grrlscientist | July 21, 2009tags: Tallinn Estonia, travel, photography, Europe
Tallinna sadam, Eesti Vabariik (The Port of Tallinn, Estonia).
Image: Ralf Roletschek (Wikipedia) [larger view].
[NOTE: Does this announcement sound familiar? Hopefully, I will not have this trip ruined by undergoing surgery to have a piece of titanium screwed into the bone of my wrist this time, which cost the travel insurance company more than $10,000 -- and still counting. Ahem.]
I am SO EXCITED! As if spending three glorious weeks in Helsinki, Finland isn't enough, I will be visiting Eesti Vabariik, or Estonia, tomorrow. I will arise…
grrlscientist | July 21, 2009Since I have recently developed quite a history of visiting cold and snowy places, often during the winter, I wish to preserve that tradition. I am competing for the opportunity to go to Antarctica in February 2010 -- a dream adventure that I've always wanted to pursue (and almost did pursue when I was an undergraduate researching Fin Whales and Crabeater Seals at the University of Washington). To enter, all candidates must publish a picture of themselves and write an essay explaining why we think we are the best choice, and solicit votes from the public. Whomever receives the most votes wins…
grrlscientist | July 21, 2009tags: Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery birds] Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis, photographed at Anahuac Refuge, Texas. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Joseph Kennedy, 1 May 2009 [larger view].
Nikon D200 ,Kowa 883 telescope with TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/250s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso40.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
grrlscientist | July 21, 2009tags: TEDTalks, medicine, Psychopathic Killers, epigenetics, brain damage, psychology, MAOA gene, serotonin, Jim Fallon, streaming video
Psychopathic killers are the basis for some must-watch TV, but what really makes them tick? Neuroscientist Jim Fallon talks about brain scans and genetic analysis that may uncover the rotten wiring in the nature (and nurture) of murderers. In a too-strange-for-fiction twist, he shares a fascinating family history that makes his work chillingly personal [4:42]
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference,…
grrlscientist | July 21, 2009tags: TEDTalks, Diet Pepsi, Aspartame, artificial sweeteners, diversity, choice, happiness, psychology, Malcolm Gladwell, streaming video
Tipping Point [Amazon: $8.54] author Malcolm Gladwell gets inside the food industry's pursuit of the perfect spaghetti sauce -- and makes a larger argument about the nature of choice and happiness [18:16]
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers are invited to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes.
grrlscientist | July 20, 2009
Your future Penguin whisperer?
[book title: Maailman Pingviinit translates as Penguins of the World (Amazon USA :: Amazon UK)]
Image: Bob O'Hara, 19 July 2009 [seriously, do you want to look at a larger view?].
Several endorsements are coming my way and they've asked me to write an essay that outlines specific reasons why I am the best qualified for the "Blog Your Way to Antarctica" job offered by Quark Expeditions as the official blogger for their February 2010 Antarctica Cruise.
First and foremost, Quark Expeditions is seeking a blog writer. As they say in the rules;
The successful…
grrlscientist | July 20, 2009The current Antarctic Trip Vote count is as follows; 1890 - 1147 - 1109 - 766 - 574 out of 347 candidates registered. I have excellent news: I am once again in second place after one of my Reddit peeps whipped up support for me among my fellow Redditers! THANK YOU REDDIT!
If you've already voted, then please encourage your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors to vote for the person whom you think would be best for this unique job: traveling to Antarctica for the month of February 2010 and writing about it for the public on a blog. Here is my 300-word essay; hopefully, you will agree…