Science – Page 77 – Southern Fried Science

Monday morning blogaerobics: shark news roundup and a message from Antarctica

May 24, 2010May 24, 2010 David Shiffman

Science

In the last few weeks, I’ve been busy with final exams and the start of my field season. Fortunately, many of the other shark bloggers have written about the important topics I’ve missed. RTSea and Underwater Thrills both have written about how the Gulf oil spill can affect whale sharks, which are filter feeders who … Read More “Monday morning blogaerobics: shark news roundup and a message from Antarctica” »

Kevin Costner shows off his Oilspill Clean-up Machine

May 23, 2010 Andrew Thaler 1 Comment

Conservation, Science

Day 3 at sea: first day in one place

May 22, 2010 Bluegrass Blue Crab 2 Comments

Science

After 6 long hours processing the phytoplankton profile from last night’s CTD, we decided to stay on this station for the remainder of our trip. The profile showed a distinct (and stable) maximum of phytoplankton. Interestingly, this maximum isn’t at the top as you might expect for sun-loving organisms.

Does fast-forwarding through commercials hurt advertisers?

May 22, 2010 David Shiffman 12 Comments

Popular Culture, Science

A few weeks ago, my co-bloggers were doubtful that it is possible to watch 36 hours of television in a week. The main factor that makes television viewing on this scale possible for me is the DVR, which allows

me to tape two shows simultaneously. It also allows me to easily fast-forward through commercials, and because of the DVR, the only commercials I see anymore are when I’m watching live sports. While the ability to easily record a show and watch it later (and fast forward through commercials as you watch it later) has improved the quality of life for my roommates and me, I’ve often wondered how it affects advertisers. After all, it’s their money that pays for my favorite shows.

Short update from the Sargasso Sea

May 21, 2010May 22, 2010 Bluegrass Blue Crab 1 Comment

Science

This morning just after breakfast we arrived at station 1 after 24 hours of strait steaming. In past years, station 1 hasn’t had what it takes to be the place of study, but we decided to check it out anyways.

Last year’s Shark Week coverage

May 21, 2010 David Shiffman 2 Comments

Popular Culture, Science

The online shark science community has been critical of the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” in the past because some of the documentaries promote fear of sharks at a time when we should be promoting respect and conservation. According to the Dorsal Fin blog, this year is looking like it will bring us more of the same, though one particular story won’t be covered because it happened so recently. Since Shark Week is starting to be discussed again by the blogosphere, I am re-posting all of last year’s Shark Week coverage. This includes an interview with the Discovery Channel’s Senior Science Editor (originally here), a detailed evaluation of each of the Shark Week specials (originally here), and ten suggestions for how to improve future Shark Week programming (originally here). All of the original comments are preserved at the old site.

Hatteras to Sargasso

May 20, 2010 Bluegrass Blue Crab 2 Comments

Science

I have absolutely no reason to be at sea. I don’t do oceanographic research, don’t work in any way, shape, or form with phytoplankton, and I barely have the time to set up my own research trips let alone take two weeks to help on someone else’s. Yet here I am, my first day aboard the R/V Cape Hatteras on a cruise to the Sargasso to study phytoplankton energetics.

Update from Antarctica – What is MISHAP?

May 20, 2010May 20, 2010 Guest Writer 1 Comment

Science

Fresh from Antarctica, this update comes to us from Dr. Douglas Nowacek, one of the Principal Investigators for the MISHAP project, by way of our field correspondent, Reny Tyson. Follow along with their adventures at Tagging Whales in the Antarctic Seas.

Biodiversity Wednesday: Life around deep sea methane seeps

May 19, 2010April 21, 2010 Andrew Thaler

Science

Crowdsourcing ConGen – A Reading List

May 18, 2010June 16, 2010 Andrew Thaler 1 Comment

Conservation, Science

This is a little different from my usual Crowdsourcing ConGen posts. I recently completed my qualifying exams for PhD candidacy, so have a very large reading list compiled for population and conservation genetics. So, if you’re interested in the field, you should check out some of these papers, and if you know of any others that should be included, please let me know in the comments.