Category Archives: Biology

The Independent: Christmas Book List

Posted on December 1, 2006 by cicada

Best Art Books The British paper just released their Christmas book lists. Check out both “Art” and “Science.” I was intrigued by the new Martin Kemp book, Seen | Unseen: Art, Science, and Intuition from Leonardo to the Hubble Telescope … Continue reading →

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Gene copy number varies more than anticipated

Posted on November 29, 2006 by cicada

Times Online: Genetic jot that makes us unique Nature: Global variation in copy number in the human genome Another interesting Nature paper out recently – I’m beginning to kick myself for not subscribing while I could have gotten the faculty … Continue reading →

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BioVisions

Posted on November 25, 2006 by cicada

The Inner Life of a Cell My friend at Harvard sent me the link to this stunning animation. It portrays a number of biological processes, from translation, to diapedesis, to microtubule depolymerization, to (my favorite) vesicular transport along the cytoskeleton. … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Education, Film, Video & Music | 2 Comments

Something cryptic in Kansas City

Posted on November 21, 2006 by cicada

Rachel Berwick Living Fossil: Latimeria chalumnae (2001) Cryptozoology: Out of Time Place Scale If you’re near Kansas City before December 20, this exhibition (at the Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO) should be worth a visit. Featured artists include … Continue reading →

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How many have you read?

Posted on November 20, 2006 by cicada

Discover Magazine: The 25 Greatest Science Books of All Time The list is worth a look, especially since they’ve reproduced the covers/frontispieces from each book. The graphics emphasize at a glance how venerable most of the winning books are – … Continue reading →

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Stem cells: when they’re bad, they’re naughty

Posted on November 20, 2006 by cicada

globeandmail.com: Stem cells core of more cancers Grumble, grumble.  I can’t access Sunday’s two Nature advance articles, on the role played by stem cells in tumor growth. (Nature and its ilk are way too expensive for our small local college … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology | 4 Comments

Rosamond Purcell: From Fins to Bookworms

Posted on November 11, 2006 by cicada

Squirrel Monkey Rosamond Purcell National Geographic Magazine, 2006 From Fins to Wings @ National Geographic Magazine A very accessible and beautifully illustrated article on my favorite subject in biology: developmental evidence for deep evolutionary homologies. The companion photography is by … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology | 1 Comment

So Go Vote

Posted on November 7, 2006 by cicada

Scientists and Engineers for America: Questions for Your Candidate I don’t see much point in voting today, since the results for my state are demographically preordained. But this has still been an interesting election cycle for me as a scientist. … Continue reading →

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Aposematism

Posted on November 4, 2006 by cicada

Aposematism, 2006. Watercolor on illustration board “Aposematism” is a type of protective signalling mechanism, usually but not always involving bright coloration, that draws the attention of predators. It might seem counterintuitive that potential prey would make themselves more conspicuous, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, My Artwork, Words | 4 Comments

Mike Libby’s tech insects

Posted on November 3, 2006 by cicada

Mike Libby – Insect Lab I love insects and I love clockworks. How can I not adore this guy’s work? Look at his beetles first. Not only are they beautiful, but this could be a great way to give your … Continue reading →

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