spiders
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Science
Spider-Man’s Penis and Science Communication
Last year I wrote a post about Spider-man, and how his anatomy may not be…err, as PG as one might wish. In less than 500 words, I tried to write an entertaining post about how actual spider anatomy is not analogous to Spider-Man the superhero’s anatomy. I did not expect to enrage Fanboys all over the internet quite as much…
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Afternoon Inquisition
AI: Unusual Byproducts
“spider accident-induced priapism.”
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Quickies
Skepchick Quickies, 8.29
Mary is under the weather, so Rebecca has foolishly allowed me to take over the quickies for today! I present: SC quickies, Invertebrate Style. Muahahahahahaha! *strokes pet mantis evilly* Corn Rootworms, the leading pest of corn, are now resistant to genetically modified corn. I especially liked this explanation: “’It’s an unfortunate consequence of the overuse of good technology,’ …. Gray…
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Science
The horrible truth about Spiderman
I was on a panel a few weeks ago discussing mutations, and what they can and cannot do. Spider-man was one of the topics, because the sad truth is that the Comics industry has conspired in a G-rated cover-up to hide his terrible, terrible affliction. Spider-man’s spider webbing talent isn’t what you think it is. Sure, male spiders do have special appendages…
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Reviews
Book Review: Spider Silk
Spider Silk: Evolution and 400 Million Years of Spinning, Waiting, Snagging, and Mating. Leslie Brunetta and Catherine L. Craig. 2011. Yale University Press. Spiders evoke a lot of complex feelings from humans. In a survey of teenagers asked about their top fears, spiders ranked #2–right after terrorist attacks. A quick comparison of “kill spiders” to kill insects” on Google trends shows…
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Happy Halloween: Giant Spiderweb!
You might remember my coverage of the giant spiderweb that ate Texas in 2007. For Halloween 2010 I am happy to report for your creeping-out pleasure that a new giant spiderweb was reported in Maryland! An Immense Concentration of Orb-Weaving Spiders With Communal Webbing in a Man-Made Structural Habitat (Arachnida: Araneae: Tetragnathidae, Araneidae). American Entomologist 2010: 56 (3), 146-156 The…
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