A scalyhead sculpin is a small, rather drab, nondescript fish.
But “stripped” to its skeleton and stained, it suddenly becomes a striking specimen in vivid blues and crimson.
Striking enough to be among the 14 photos by Adam Summers, University of Washington professor of biology, in his “Cleared: The Art of Science” on display now through spring 2014 at the Seattle Aquarium. (more…)
University of Utah researchers identify new technique for identifying cancerous moles
Have you ever had a strange mole on your body and wondered if it was skin cancer? The best move is to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist, but many wait without realizing they could be dealing with melanoma.
Researchers at two universities – the University of Utah and Texas Tech University – have recently identified a new technique for handling this problem: Ask a crowd. (more…)
Die USA müssen sich selber bei der Nase nehmen. Ihr Sündenregister ist lang.
Es war der amerikanische Präsident George W. Bush, welcher in den politischen Sprachschatz den Begriff «Schurkenstaat» eingeführt hat. Und er hat ihn weidlich benutzt, um Staaten, die er als Gegner der USA empfunden hat, damit zu brandmarken. Meist stand dabei im Vordergrund, dass von den so genannten «Schurkenstaaten» – nach Auffassung von Bush – eine Terrorismusgefahr ausging.
Ein Synonym für Schurke ist etwa das Wort Schuft; ein als gemein oder niederträchtig geltender Mensch; ähnliche Begriffe sind Betrüger, Bösewicht, Halunke, Kanaille, Schwein, Schweinehund oder Lump. Dies sind jedoch alles Bezeichnungen, die eigentlich nur auf ein Individuum, also einen Menschen, passen. Meist sagen diese Begriffe nichts Konkretes aus. Sie bilden allenfalls Werturteile – und zwar abwertende. Ohne zu definieren, was damit gemeint ist, ist es für Andere schwer zu verstehen, weshalb ein solches Werturteil gefällt wird. (more…)
ANN ARBOR — Funneling a steady stream of diversions straight to your pocket, smartphones are often cast as the ultimate distractors. But a University of Michigan engineering professor sees potential for them to be something quite the opposite.
What if they could act as mentors in mindfulness, helping users stay attentive in order to achieve particular goals? (more…)
In der Nacht zum 1. Januar 2014 werden voraussichtlich 7.202.951.000 Menschen auf der Erde leben. Das sind rund 80 Millionen Menschen mehr als im Jahr zuvor und entspricht etwa der Zahl der in Deutschland lebenden Bevölkerung. Jede Sekunde wächst die Weltbevölkerung um durchschnittlich 2,7 Erdenbürger. Diese Zahlen gibt die Stiftung Weltbevölkerung zum Jahresende 2013 bekannt. (more…)
Skype session with author Alexandra Styron illuminates father’s work
A literature class at the University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning program in Lewes recently participated in an unexpected one-on-one conversation with Alexandra Styron about the life and work of her father, celebrated author William Styron, famous for novels like The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie’s Choice.
A novelist in her own right, Alexandra Styron recounts her experiences growing up in a household often full of drama and turmoil in her memoir Reading My Father. (more…)
Researchers have sequenced the entire messenger RNA – the “genetic photocopies” – contained in the nucleus of a single cell, a long-anticipated step toward better cancer diagnostics and other medical applications
Researchers have successfully isolated and sequenced the entire messenger RNA – the “genetic photocopies” – contained in the nucleus of a single brain cell. This research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, will help researchers better understand how organs function in health and disease and provide another stepping stone toward personalized medicine. (more…)
Method developed at Berkeley Lab’s Advanced Light Source measures electronic changes in a working battery electrode
A new technique developed at Berkeley Lab’s Advanced Light Source could help scientists better understand and improve the materials required for high-performance lithium-ion batteries that power EVs and other applications.
The technique, which uses soft X-ray spectroscopy, measures something never seen before: the migration of ions and electrons in an integrated, operating battery electrode. (more…)
