“We seem to now teach anatomy in exactly the same way that it was being taught at the end of the dark ages. Specifically, students look at bodies of animals, but are not encouraged in any way to make real observations. Instead, they are encouraged to look for what is already known and then if it does not look quite right, do depict it the way it “should,” look. Even where the differences among bodies are noted, they are seldom measured. Even when measurements are taken, they are seldom recorded.”
Biology Department
Category: Some Interesting Stuff from the World of Biology
The Dangers of Pseudoscience – NYTimes.com
“The borderlines between genuine science and pseudoscience may be fuzzy, but this should be even more of a call for careful distinctions, based on systematic facts and sound reasoning.”
Peanut butter sniff test and Alzheimer’s
Contrary to the title of the article at the link below, this test does NOT confirm Alzheimer’s, but nonetheless it is a very interesting approach for finding signs of the disease in its early stages.
Why Are There Still So Few Women in Science? – NYTimes.com
“The Signature of All Things” by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Story of the Human Body: How Our Stone Age Bodies Struggle To Stay Healthy In Modern Times
High-Intensity Circuit Training Using Body Weight: Maximum Results With Minimal Investment
Time and access to facility constraints can be a concern when it comes to getting people to exercise. High-intensity circuit training seems to deliver numerous health benefits in less time than more traditional programs that are recommended. Furthermore, body weight can be used as resistance, eliminating the need for specialized facilities or equipment.
Summary article from the New York Times
“It’s common for an individual to have multiple genomes.”
“…some even have genomes that came from other people.”
Functioning ‘mechanical gears’ seen in nature for the first time | University of Cambridge
via Functioning ‘mechanical gears’ seen in nature for the first time | University of Cambridge.
“Previously believed to be only man-made, a natural example of a functioning gear mechanism has been discovered in a common insect – showing that evolution developed interlocking cogs long before we did.”
Evolution and social consequences of old age: Infant survival and elders. – Slate Magazine
Fascinating! The older we got the more human we became says this evolutionary anthropologist.
Evolution and social consequences of old age: Infant survival and elders. – Slate Magazine.