Scientia Pro Publica 33

Welcome to the 33rd Edition of Scientia Pro Publica.

Food – Input and Output

The Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog asks “Why are there no perennial grain crops?” Meanwhile, on the consumption side of agriculture, Akshatrathi looks into the details of molecular gastronomy. Finally, The Rational Conservationist looks at revolutionary techniques in hazardous waste mitigation.

I need some space

Arcsecond explains how gravity works at a galactic scale (apparently gravity is measured as apples of equal density). The Story Collector wants to see your picture of science.

Those pesky primates

Over at The Voltage Gate, they put the biogeography and evolution of Homo floresiensis into context. Eric over at The Primate Diaries meditates on the definition of culture. Darcy Cowen at Scepticon asks the age old question – “Does you environment determine your behavior?” Finally, the chicken or the egg gleans insight into human evolution from the tuatara.

Disease, Parasites, and Preventative Medicine

Lab rat takes on the tactics of intracellular parasites like Chlamydia. Providentia explores the Spanish Flu Pandemic. 360 Degree Skeptic asks if preventative medicine is the same as alternative medicine. And Inkling Magazine wants to know if machines are making us crazy.

The Water of Life ain’t just Whiskey

Finally, the marine science posts! For those of you interested in crab migrations, check out Surprising Science’s piece – Crazy Crab Migrations. If copepods are more your thing (and lets face it, they are), head on over to Mauka to Makai for Copepod Power. Then again, sea grass is pretty freakin’ sweet to, so go to Here, There, and Everywhere for Seagrasses, much more than ugly weeds stinking up your beach.

Gulf Oil Spill got you down? It sure has gotten us down. Fortunately, Christie at Observations of a Nerd would like to inform us all that it’s not just the biggest environmental disaster in American history, it’s also being managed by people with less foresight than a tuatara (see what I did there?). Just to end on a positive note, Deep Type Flow wants to share with us why they love the ocean in the first place – The Water is Alive.

That’s all for this edition. Check out the next Scientia hosted at This View of Earth.

~Southern Fried Scientist

Scientia Pro Publica #30

I am proud to host the latest edition of Scientia Pro Publica, a blog carnival that celebrates that best science, medicine, and nature writing aimed at the general public.

Biology/Evolution/Conservation

Melissa from Out Walking the Dog invites you to celebrate Bird Neck Appreciation Day. Learn how and why bird necks are so flexible and diverse.

Wendy from Bio Loser explains how fish react to their own reflection.

Sarah from Surprising Science shows us how we can find live online video of bird nests. It’s almost as cute as Puppy Cam.

Jeremy from Agricultural Diversity Weblog talks about genetically modified crops and how many people misunderstand them.

Madhu from Reconciliation Ecology tells an amusing story about how birds can be elitist. Certain bird species prefer to spend their time in more affluent parts of cities.

Medicine

Dr. Shock summarizes everything you always wanted to know about body piercings and psychopathology. Find out if your kid’s new piercing is indicative of other high risk behaviors.

Christie helps us to understand the role of insulin at Nutrition Wonderland.

Akshat from Contemplation asks if fish oil supplements are any good for children.

Science and Society

Warren from Generally Thinking reminds us all to be skeptical of how science is reported by the news media. A careless fact-checker or a changed word can alter the entire meaning of a scientific study.

Mike from Theoretically Speaking believes that involving non-specialists will improve the peer review process. As more and more science becomes interdisciplinary, I hope his idea catches on.

That’s all for now.

The next edition will be hosted by Andrew at 360 Degree Skeptic. To submit a blog post, use this handy online form.

~WhySharksMatter

Scientia Pro Publica

Welcome to the April 5 Edition of Scientia Pro Publica – Science for the People!

An inordinate fondness for Sea Horses

I got my start in Marine Biology working at the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s Syngnathid Breeding Program, so the abundance of sea horse and pipefish related submissions get the prime real estate. Maniraptora: Tastes Like Chicken reveals that bigger is better, even for pipefish. Save Your Breath For Running Ponies covers the same research. Read More