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Science
Roaches with Jet Packs
You might have noticed a lot of news lately about robot designs based on insects. Insects are great models for robots because bugs have an extremely stable and efficient model of locomotion: the tripod gait. At any time, roaches have 3 feet on the ground–even when they’re running. This tripod structure makes insects extra-resistant to tripping or tipping over. Biomimetics is the…
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Afternoon Inquisition
Sunday AI: Welcome 2012
This is the first AI of the new year! Granted, New Years Day is just an arbitrary point in time in our transit around the sun, but it’s also a nice time to reflect on the past and think about the future. I thought about writing about me, and how the last two years have been kind of a…
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Science
Roaches and Woodpecker Conservation
Most humans–and I include quite a few entomologists in that category–love to hate roaches. This is a sad thing, because the vast majority of roaches never set foot (feet?) in a kitchen. The few species that tap-dance around in your sugar bowl are just a tiny piece of a huge spectrum of amazing roachy biodiversity in the world. Over 99%…
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Afternoon Inquisition
Sunday AI: OMGWTF and Pets
So, I was catching up on my news reading this morning, and stumbled across this horrific story. And seriously, it’s bad–don’t click this link unless you are prepared: Man Sets Woman on Fire in Elevator “Police are questioning a man in connection with the death of a New York City woman who was set on fire in the elevator of…
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Random Asides
How to make sure you are never invited to a potluck again. EVER.
Ah, the Holidays. The season when introverted curmudgeons like me….are fairly miserable and awkward, actually. I’m not good enough at small talk to do well at holiday gatherings: “What are you doing for Christmas?” “Um….lamenting the over-commercialization of your imaginary savior dude’s birth? And avoiding my family?” Over the years, I’ve perfected a way to free myself from the stress of…
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Afternoon Inquisition
My experience with German Measles
I was scanning the news yesterday and saw this item: “The largest U.S. outbreak of measles to occur in 15 years — affecting 214 children so far “ I also know that the CDC just released a report expressing their concern about a large outbreak of measles in Europe. The CDC identified several barriers to defeating measles (rubeola): “Principal factors…
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Science
The Urban Beehive is an urban legend
I started getting questions about this “urban beehive” early in November. I thought it was fairly obvious that it was a gimmick–a PR op by a company that wanted to get some free press. And yet…it has become the story that will not die: “The extraordinary contraption hangs inside the house and features see-through materials so you can watch the insects…
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Afternoon Inquisition
AI: National Moth Week!
National Moth Week is a new project celebrating moths and biodiversity in the US. Mark your calendars for July 23-29, 2012. Why moths? Moths can be found everywhere from inner cities to heavily forested remote areas. You might dismiss moths as boring brown fluttery things, but Moth Week is a great time to look more closely. They can be amazing mimics;…
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