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Science Etcetera Mercuryday, 20080312

March 12th, 2008
Dendrobates histrionicus
Dendrobates histrionicus
Photo by Jeff Kubina
  • After being missing for 14 years, scientist have spotted the harlequin frog in Colombia.
  • In other poisonous amphibian news, the rough-skinned newt, local to West Coast, produces the same poison as the blowfish, and enough of it to kill 10 to 20 humans, but it’s chief predator, the common garter snake has somehow evolved a resistance to the poison way beyond what the newt could possibly produce.
  • A new government report warns that global warming will have a significant impact on America’s transportation infrastructure. Duh.
    • All the Water and Air in the World
    All the Water and Air in the World
    Photo by Adam Nieman and the Science Photo Library
  • This photo is stirring a lot of discussion online right now, on the left is all the water in the world gathered into a single drop, on the right is all the air. You can find the math behind these images here (HT oranchak).
  • Despite claims of being a “green” alternative energy, one of the byproducts of biodiesel is pollution.
    • Edie AI in Second Life
    Edie (right) the AI in Second Life
  • Eddie is an AI in Second Life that has a rudimentary theory of mind, the ability to guess another person’s reasoning by understanding their perspective. Humans develop this between ages four and five (Video Here).
  • Recent studies support the claim that Gulf War syndrome was caused by a chemicals found in both pesticides and anti-nerve-gas pills. The disorder causes chronic fatigue and muscle pains in approximately 200,000 veterans today.
  • Thousands of bones have been found in the Pacific island nation of Palau, and they’re very small in size, lending more fuel to the Hobbit debate.
  • For this Moment of Science, Check out this video of Pamelia Kurstin jamming on her theremin, and then explaining how she plays an instrument you don’t touch:



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    No comments yet to “Science Etcetera Mercuryday, 20080312”

    1. I got to see some live theramin playing at the SubGenius Baltimore Devival last year - the Amino Acids played.

           by Clint March 12th, 2008 at 7:03 am

    2. The Amino Acids… Coolio. I’m gonna check them out.

           by ideonexus March 12th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    3. where do i get me a theremin :O

           by Matt Kho March 13th, 2008 at 1:58 am

    4. Matt,

      I cannot vouch for these sources, but I located a few tutorials on homemade theramins via Google, for you. YMMV.

      http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PSYPUhPGavQ&feature=related
      http://www.oldtemecula.com/theremin/

      Good luck if you decide to make one. You should post an MP3 of your music if you do.

      -BMF

           by BMF March 13th, 2008 at 8:26 am

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