Category Archives: Biology

Cloning with a dicot accent: a biologist’s take on linguistic inconsistency

Posted on March 11, 2007 by cicada

Language Log: Foolish Hobgoblins It’s been many long years since I was an English major. That’s my standard justification when I get sloppy and split some infinitives, or use “which” when I ought to write “that.” I put punctuation inside … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Words | 4 Comments

Faith as evolutionary adaptation

Posted on March 4, 2007 by cicada

Darwin’s God, by Robin Marantz Henig I thought I’d hit my biology vs. religion saturation point some time ago, but today’s NYT Magazine has an eclectic, lengthy article on the biology of belief that is worth reading. The little details … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Science | Comments Off

You don’t always like what you want

Posted on March 4, 2007 by cicada

ScienceDaily: Why ‘Wanting’ And ‘Liking’ Something Simultaneously Is Overwhelming “Sometimes a brain will like the rewards it wants. But other times it just wants them.” – Kent Berridge I once tried to explain to my physiology students that the desire … Continue reading →

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Not Pleistocene, Not a Skeleton

Posted on March 2, 2007 by cicada

Pleistocene Skeleton Steel, wax, marble dust, and acrylic Nancy Graves, 1970 Smithsonian Museum of American Art Last fall I visited the newly renovated Smithsonian Museum of American Art. One of my favorite pieces was this sculpture by Nancy Graves. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Museum Lust, Science | 4 Comments

Amazing, Rare Things; Amazing, Rare Man

Posted on February 28, 2007 by cicada

Common or ‘spectacled’ caiman and South American false coral snake Maria Sibylla Merian, c.1705-10 The Royal Collection: Amazing Rare Things There is a common denominator that links all these artists. It is the profound joy that all feel who observe … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Film, Video & Music, Museum Lust, Science, Wonder Cabinets | 1 Comment

Nature Conservancy Photo Awards 2006

Posted on February 27, 2007 by cicada

Peacock Mantis Shrimp (detail) Joseph Napolitano The Nature Conservancy ran a photography contest until the end of December and just announced the winners last week. The “Best Nature Photo” winner was Joseph Napolitano with this technicolor invertebrate. Wow, biology is … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Photography | 1 Comment

The science of Confusapedia

Posted on February 27, 2007 by cicada

Ok, so the science entries on Conservapedia are easy targets – finding mistakes is like shooting fish in a barrel. And quite a few of my fellow science bloggers have engaged in target practice lately. But not all the entries … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Education, Science | 4 Comments

When disease is inevitable

Posted on February 23, 2007 by cicada

As every American knows, our health care system is exasperating. I recently left a job; fortunately, I’m healthy and relatively young, so obtaining temporary insurance was not a problem. But for those who have been seriously ill – either physically … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Science | 6 Comments

Awww! Euww!

Posted on February 20, 2007 by cicada

Two works by artist Adam Brandejs: Genpets (www.genpets.com) and Flesh Shoe. Only one is adorable; both are creepy. Genpets are currently starring in the exhibit “It’s Alive! A Laboratory of Biotech Art” at the Montserrat College of Art Gallery in … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Science | 5 Comments

Every axiom hums under a toy