1. Top billing for platypus at end of evolution tree

Comment #178092 by bluebird on May 10, 2008 at 1:25 pm

Very interesting article, and great photo!!
From the article link- the Genome Statuses chart is nice, and I enjoyed the video:

http://www.nature.com/nature/videoarchive/platypusgenome/

2. $271 Million for Research on Stem Cells in California

Comment #177674 by bluebird on May 9, 2008 at 1:06 pm

Open up your Golden Gates, California here they (scientists) come!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (Missouri), the battle continues:
http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2008/05/05/daily7.html

3. What really goes on at the Large Hadron Collider

Comment #177510 by bluebird on May 9, 2008 at 8:05 am

Cool, thanks for posting this! I'm familar with Brian May, but not Brian Cox. It would be great if Mr. Cox could take time from his busy schedule to visit U.S. schools; help jump-start kid's interest in science and the universe they live in.

On a superficial note... great shoes, delightful accent, not so great hair.

4. Gene map proves platypus is part bird, mammal and reptile

Comment #177198 by bluebird on May 8, 2008 at 6:25 pm

I didn't know they had venonmous spurs...what a fascinating critter!!

"Crocoduc" reminds me of a Southern culinary favorite :P
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turducken

5. The History Channel might do something right

Comment #176271 by bluebird on May 7, 2008 at 4:20 am

This 'Evolve' program looks promising; the proof of the pudding is in the tasting...will check it out this June.

Amongst the motley assortment of H.C. programs, "The Universe" stands out as our fave.
http://www.history.com/minisites/universe

6. Evolution's Critics Shift Tactics With Schools

Comment #175091 by bluebird on May 4, 2008 at 11:26 am

From the Show-Me state:
http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills081/biltxt/intro/HB2554I.htm

Ugh:
http://www.gov.mo.gov/gallery/040208Expelled.htm

7. Museums teach society lacking in science literacy

Comment #174670 by bluebird on May 3, 2008 at 7:09 am

Liberty Science Museum was featured here last summer...looks as tho it's successful!
http://richarddawkins.net/article,1438,Touch-Me-Feel-Me-Science,Edward-Rothstein

Our city's Science Museum is OK, but could be improved. Fortunately, some city leaders realize this, and are investigating other Science Museums to emulate.

Margreet, lovely avatar!

8. Pat Condell: Anthology DVD available now!

Comment #174349 by bluebird on May 2, 2008 at 8:10 am

riki, thanks for the liveleak link. A virtual tapas bar of Pat Condell to sample from!!

Also, I appreciate RDFRS making this DVD available.

9. Hubble Celebrates Its Seventeenth Birthday with the Birth of a Star

Comment #172757 by bluebird on April 30, 2008 at 3:47 am

Happy 18th Bday Hubble!!

http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2008/16/

May issue of Discover Mag. has an interesting article about LSST; looks amazing!

http://www.lsst.org/lsst_home.shtml

10. Orangutan attempts to hunt fish with spear

Comment #171273 by bluebird on April 28, 2008 at 12:00 pm

...there is an obvious connection

11. Soldier Sues Army, Saying His Atheism Led to Threats

Comment #169618 by bluebird on April 26, 2008 at 12:14 pm

There was a similiar article in our paper today:
http://www.kansascity.com/440/story/592901.html

When we hear about Fort Riley, it's usually about deployments or homecomings. Very pleased this story is making national headlines. I have a maternal urge to give him a hug and say "good job".... probably a note of encouragement would suffice!!

12. Tyrannosaurus rex protein proves dinosaurs evolved into birds

Comment #169422 by bluebird on April 26, 2008 at 4:09 am

We sometimes refer to our pet parakeets as our "cute little dinosaurs"...anyway,

I can't wait to find out which bird species it is closest related to

13. Evolution exhibit shows why nobody's perfect

Comment #165303 by bluebird on April 21, 2008 at 10:09 am

Wow, looks great! This will be a fantastic field trip opportunity for schools.
Hope this exhibit journeys to our city!


Their website is kinda cool:
http://www.survivingexhibit.org/

14. Mormons miffed over coffee-swilling angel image

Comment #162544 by bluebird on April 17, 2008 at 3:58 am

RE: #4

Yes, coffee, coffee!!!

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/coffee-cantata-bach/2723395040

15. Evolution fray attracts top scientist

Comment #162380 by bluebird on April 16, 2008 at 7:48 pm

....Florida, where Kennedy Space Center is....

Yes, it does seem incongruous! By the same token, some missions launched at KSC are monitered by Mission Control @ Johnson Space Center (Texas)...
Texas also is having Evolution in school problems.

This looks very interesting:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080416/wr_nm/britain_darwin_dc_1

16. Victims: Pope Benedict Protects Accused Pedophile Bishops

Comment #161500 by bluebird on April 15, 2008 at 10:54 am

It rankles that the White House/President is rolling out the red carpet for the Pope. The reverence rendered him is sickening.

JB, clever blog title!

17. Science Debate 2008

Comment #161480 by bluebird on April 15, 2008 at 10:38 am

It's been postponed, the 3 candidates still haven't accepted the debate invitation:

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/33774

IMO someone such as Neil DGT or Bill Nye would be a good moderater.

18. A New Flea

Comment #160416 by bluebird on April 14, 2008 at 3:58 am

Deja Moo, we've seen this bull before.

"Chance or Purpose..."

19. Ancient serpent shows its leg

Comment #159491 by bluebird on April 12, 2008 at 9:59 am

Snakes in the grass, alas...... Another fabulous fossil find.
We own a red-tailed boa constrictor; it's fun to watch him cruise our backyard!!

During outdoor excursions, we have to watch out for these!
http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/herpetol/snake/snake2.htm

EDIT: evotruth, nice Video...

20. The List: The World's Worst Religious Leaders

Comment #159443 by bluebird on April 12, 2008 at 7:55 am

Dark cloud on the horizen...
The Pope in this photo looks like a demented cowboy fixin' to herd his flock back to the Double-C ranch.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1727724,00.html

21. Lungless frog discovered in Borneo

Comment #158840 by bluebird on April 11, 2008 at 5:35 am

Our son's biology class is reviewing Darwin/evolution--he'll take in a copy of this article to share. Thanks for posting this!

2008 is Year of the Frog (leap year). It's very gratifying that these invaluable critters are getting attention/help. Specifically, Amphibian Ark (oh well, name is catchy), and I'm guessing this new species will be part of it.

Recently we heard a chorus of frogs at a local park, wonderful!! Had to look this up, our State Amphibian (Missouri) is American Bullfrog.

http://www.yearofthefrog.org/

22. Commentary: Democrats finally getting religion on religion

Comment #158087 by bluebird on April 10, 2008 at 4:04 am

Roland Martin always talks a mile a minute with his firmly entrenched opinions... Will read this article later...

Per NASA's (proposed) future missions, this was on the other night:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/04/60minutes/main3994925.shtml?source=RSSattr=SciTech_3994925

23. The Atheist Next Door

Comment #157776 by bluebird on April 9, 2008 at 2:14 pm

We liked this news clip; as RamziD says, it's a step in the right direction, at least.

This family could be us, except we have sons, and a Miniature Schnauzer ;)

24. In search of the God particle

Comment #157765 by bluebird on April 9, 2008 at 2:05 pm

All of this is fascinating, but,
It's taking a lot of sittin' to hatch this chicken (LHC)! Assorted delays, and a possible lawsuit (mentioned a few weeks ago by another poster,too).

I hope this project gets the green light soon, to see what discoveries may lie within the "jewel box"!

25. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #157741 by bluebird on April 9, 2008 at 1:43 pm

This was brought to my attention via 'Composers Datebook' a few days ago.
Music was written 30 years ago, and this video is from a recent Holocaust movie (I think)...
Very moving...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miLV0o4AhE4

26. Christian Founders 3D Adventure Computer Game

Comment #152951 by bluebird on March 31, 2008 at 6:52 pm

First week of May brings 'National Day of Prayer'. Also, as if that isn't bad enough, senators Lieberman & Brownback are sponsors of a 'Ten Commandments Weekend' Resolution. Aaarrgghh.


Some progress was made very recently for the "forgotten people":
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080308_1_A1_spanc54823

27. Vatican: Islam surpasses Roman Catholicism as world's largest religion

Comment #152923 by bluebird on March 31, 2008 at 5:54 pm

CruciFiction, the 'New Pope' video is a real hoot, thanks for posting it!

The Pope will visit the U.S. in a few weeks.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/080328/us/usreport_pope_usa_colleges_dc_2

28. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #150090 by bluebird on March 26, 2008 at 12:53 pm

Tillykke med fodselsdagen, Professor Dawkins, and many happy returns of the day!!

29. Sue Blackmore debates Alister McGrath

Comment #149648 by bluebird on March 26, 2008 at 3:45 am

The grapes of McGrath are barely palatable.

Susan, however, I very much enjoyed listening to. She's the Julie Andrews of reason! I'd love to see her featured on mainstream American women's television and magazines.

30. I suppose it's due ('Expelled' review)

Comment #147959 by bluebird on March 21, 2008 at 4:43 pm

Lawrence Krauss did a BookTV segment recently called 'Scientific Literacy & Public Policy'~~
The subject of Evolution & ID is interlaced throughout this 1 1/2 hour program:

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=204010-1

31. Beatrix Potter, scientist

Comment #147423 by bluebird on March 20, 2008 at 11:27 am

A wonderful article to read this Equinox...good links, too!

...donated 4,000 acres

32. Report: 32% Of Prayers Deflected Off Passing Satellites

Comment #147082 by bluebird on March 19, 2008 at 7:00 pm

They shoot, they score!!

These two Onion bits are a great nightcap, thanks :))

33. Sci-fi guru Clarke to have secular funeral

Comment #146824 by bluebird on March 19, 2008 at 1:14 pm

...DNA from his hair sent into orbit

34. God's cure for gays lost in sin

Comment #146788 by bluebird on March 19, 2008 at 12:06 pm

I had not heard of Mercy Ministries until these articles from au/news. One young woman is quoted from another article~ "Mercy Ministries is obsessed with women's bodies, and controlling them". Their web-site looks friendly & inviting: http://www.mercyministries.org/

Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly...
Buyer Beware...

35. Richard Dawkins on The Alan Colmes Show

Comment #143969 by bluebird on March 14, 2008 at 6:49 pm

Thanks for posting this, I enjoyed it! Nice that Colmes was able to shed that cockleburr Hannity for this radio interview.

Off Topic.... Enjoy a slice of (American) Pi Day:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi_Day

36. Beauty ad banned after Christian outcry

Comment #142422 by bluebird on March 12, 2008 at 1:03 pm

schwie, thanks, I was hoping to view the ad. I think it's rather clever, and I like it.

Must be uncomfortable for the religious to always have their bloomers in a bunch.

37. Should Galileo's tomb be opened for DNA tests?

Comment #142351 by bluebird on March 12, 2008 at 11:14 am

Our city is now hosting "Bodies, the Exhibition"; the Catholic Church (and others) have protested this. However, the exhibit continues to be very popular.

Something that is becoming popular in the U.S.~~ eco-friendly burials:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/12/27/green.coffins.ap/index.html

38. Seven new deadly sins: are you guilty?

Comment #142341 by bluebird on March 12, 2008 at 11:00 am

Another article about the new so-called "Magnificent 7" intimates that the Pope lists the 'ruination of the environment' because he plans to incorporate speeches about ecology/environment in his trip to the U.S. this Spring.


http://www.uspapalvisit.org/mediakit/PR_Sambi1_1112.htm

39. Richard Dawkins' US Tour begins this week

Comment #138390 by bluebird on March 4, 2008 at 9:01 am

RE: Hell, Michigan. The U.S. is chock full of unique city/town names:

http://www.accuracyproject.org/towns.html

40. A natural phenomenon

Comment #137560 by bluebird on March 3, 2008 at 6:46 am

Great article! We look forward to Netflix stocking "Life in Cold Blood"; hope it's soon.

Thanks to poster's recommendations of other Sir D.A. "must sees"...

RE: deletion of evolution reference:
http://richarddawkins.net/article,1628,Censoring_Sir_David,James-Randerson

An aside, Robert Redford has been a staunch environmentalist since early '70s. His pleasant voice would inject passion into any nature show. Sigourney Weaver is also an environmentalist.

41. Berlin gallery in Islam art row

Comment #137378 by bluebird on March 2, 2008 at 6:37 pm

Fiesoduck & MelM, thanks for those links.

njwong, Yea!
Reminds me of a Soma Cube.

42. Christopher Hitchens on Real Time with Bill Maher

Comment #137001 by bluebird on March 2, 2008 at 5:38 am

Interesting banter on the current U.S. political controversies. Good to see C.H. again... "Invisible means of support"... good line!

Looks as tho "Religulous" release date has been postponed:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2007/12/13/religulous-follows-in-the-steps-of-michael-moores-sicko/

43. Add another flea to the list...

Comment #135531 by bluebird on February 29, 2008 at 4:22 am

...and give away

44. Earth's Final Sunset Predicted

Comment #135521 by bluebird on February 29, 2008 at 4:03 am

Interesting article/comments...plenty to ponder.
I heard about this "scheme" the other day; it does sound like science fiction.

Anyway, Happy Leap Day!!

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080229.html

45. Sea reptile is biggest on record

Comment #135147 by bluebird on February 28, 2008 at 3:21 pm

"Sea monsters" fascinate me, and this one is no exception. Don't know if scientists routinely give their discoveries nick-names... I humbly suggest "Flipper2".

emmet, Svalbard does look amazing!! I hadn't heard of it until this article. (Thanks RDFSR).

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard

46. The Giant Tortoise's Tale

Comment #134028 by bluebird on February 27, 2008 at 6:39 am

Maravilloso!! These tales are truly wonderful (eagerly awaits #3).

I noticed that Isabela Island has the form of a Sea Horse (I think that's way cool).

Fortunately, there are many Tortoise/Turtle conservation efforts, including this:
http://gct.org/tortoise.html

*Slow and steady wins the race*

47. The Encyclopedia of Life, No Bookshelf Required

Comment #133670 by bluebird on February 26, 2008 at 1:46 pm

I remember reading about E.O.L./EO Wilson last year (can be found @ RD.net "archives"). Now it's imminent!

Oodles of kudos to all the people who helped bring this momentous idea to fruition!!

Another reference: http://crossmediablog.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/eolorg-launching-by-mid-2008/

48. The Salamander's Tale

Comment #132745 by bluebird on February 25, 2008 at 7:15 am

Interesting.

Per Salamanders, this snippet caught my eye:
http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jan/salamander-tongue-strikes-like-a-crossbow

49. The Science behind the Large Hadron Collider

Comment #132622 by bluebird on February 25, 2008 at 3:56 am

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080225.html

50. Physicist Neil Turok: Big Bang Wasn't the Beginning

Comment #132408 by bluebird on February 24, 2008 at 6:04 pm

pulsar1z, thanks for that link!

Will delve more into your site later; (I like the Planetarium music...thanks to clear skies here, the Lunar eclipse was awesome).