Why fund weird science.
American Scientist provides a spirited defense against funding cuts for research into oddball subjects … by listing a lot of strange projects that suddenly led to world-changing… Read the rest “Why fund weird science.”
research
NASA JPL boss quits
The Register reports on the director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory suddenly stepping down for “personal reasons”:
… Read the rest “NASA JPL boss quits”During the November 2024 staff cuts, Leshin
Science Art: Le miscroscope [La Science], 1908.
This is a metal engraving by Charles Philippe Pillet, which I found in the Paris Museums Collections.
It’s considered a “numismatic” piece, but I don’t believe… Read the rest “Science Art: Le miscroscope [La Science], 1908.”
Algae bloom data, set to music.
NPR has a piece on a USF anthro prof’s idea to make her sort of depressing research more palatable in a way of which this guild heartily approves – by turning data on public reactions… Read the rest “Algae bloom data, set to music.”
Does tweeting research help?
Nature, always hoping to increase the reach of researchers, has a study that shows using the platform formerly known as Twitter to share research will still boost your engagement online,… Read the rest “Does tweeting research help?”
Science Art: Relative Position of Observer and Observed in Direct Ophthalmoscopy, Arthur W. Head, 1917.
You gotta get right up in there if you really want to see what’s going on in those eyes.
This is an illustration from a book about birds, oddly enough: The fundus oculi of birds, especially… Read the rest “Science Art: Relative Position of Observer and Observed in Direct Ophthalmoscopy, Arthur W. Head, 1917.”
Is this a mad scientist being busted? Something worse?
Ars Technica covers a weird, almost cinematic story out of California, where law enforcement officials have, following a code-enforcement tip, just busted an illegal lab filled with … Read the rest “Is this a mad scientist being busted? Something worse?”
SONG: The Scientist (a penitential Coldplay cover)
SONG: “The Scientist (a penitential cover)”. (available as .ogg here)
ARTIST: grant.
SOURCE: This isn’t based on research It’s a cover of this vaguely scientific… Read the rest “SONG: The Scientist (a penitential Coldplay cover)”
Despite their public stance, Exxon’s internal science team had a clear view on climate change.
Ars Technica looks at the way Exxon executives decided to bury their own company’s very accurate findings on petroleum and climate:
… Read the rest “Despite their public stance, Exxon’s internal science team had a clear view on climate change.”Exxon’s scientific climate work was shut
SONG: 14.8 Million
SONG: “14.8 Million”.
ARTIST: grant.
SOURCE: Nature 14 Dec 2022, “Missing data mean we’ll probably never know how many people died of COVID,” as used in the post… Read the rest “SONG: 14.8 Million”
More people died of COVID-19 than we know. Or ever will know. Because data is missing.
Nature reports on the gaps in information that mean the official counts of people who died as a result of COVID-19 are much, much lower than the real numbers:
… Read the rest “More people died of COVID-19 than we know. Or ever will know. Because data is missing.”The [Nature and WHO] data suggest
Paleontology drama: Scientist accused of faking asteroid-death data to scoop colleague.
Science is not a publication normally given to interpersonal conflict. But now it’s covering the story of the weird competition between Robert DePalma and Melanie During, who suspects… Read the rest “Paleontology drama: Scientist accused of faking asteroid-death data to scoop colleague.”
Want your research cited by other scientists? Give your paper a funny title.
Nature reveals one of the weird truths about the way we do science. Publishing research is sometimes referred to as “the academic conversation,” and analysis proves that … Read the rest “Want your research cited by other scientists? Give your paper a funny title.”
Science Art: 5c The Sciences single, U.S. Postal Service, 1963.
An image of science in the abstract, the spirit of science as imagined at the dawn of the Space Age, from the National Postal Museum, part of the Smithsonian Institutions.
From the description… Read the rest “Science Art: 5c The Sciences single, U.S. Postal Service, 1963.”
SONG: Deeper Than Love (a penitential Colleen Green cover)
SONG: “Deeper Than Love (a penitential Colleen Green cover)”.
ARTIST: grant.
SOURCE: There is no scientific source. This is a penitential cover of this Colleen Green song… Read the rest “SONG: Deeper Than Love (a penitential Colleen Green cover)”