Constellations And The Calendar

I hear you! I’ve had three partners so far for competitions - it sucks when you don’t have anyone and I’m not entirely looking forward to having to find someone new when I graduate and move. There’s still a lot you can do on your own, though, I use a hoola hoop and mirrors to practice when I have to work on my own. 

You can also find local ballroom groups for the US at: http://usadance.org/chapters/find-a-local-chapter/ 

The Sad Part about my love for ballroom dancing

Is I have no partner. No one to dance with, or take lessons with, so I am left alone, to dream. Here’s hoping for a little ballroom and a little romance when I move. 

The Black Death Is Older Than We Thought

A recent study analyzed DNA from the teeth of Bronze Age people who lived in Europe and Asia. It found evidence of plague infection, from the Yersinia pestis bacterium, dating to 6,000 years ago! What later became the Black Plague was, 6,000 years ago, spread only through contaminated food or human-to-human contact. It was later that a genetic mutation in the bacterium allowed them to survive in the guts of fleas – researchers estimate around the turn of the 1st century BCE.

The black death’s early co-existence with humans, and its ability to pass person-to-person, also suggests an interesting new avenue for forensic diagnosing. The yersinia pestis bacterium may have been responsible for early epidemics, such as the plague of Athens. Many early plagues are known to have passed person-to-person so scientists previously discounted yersinia pestis from the running. But proving which ancient plagues were really the Black Death in an earlier form is a subject for another study.

Surgeon Al-Zahrawi (936–1013 CE) from Cordoba in the Muslim kingdom of al-Andalus, was one of the most famous physicians of the middle ages. He invented many medical instruments, and wrote the first surgical textbook which included illustrations like the one above. It was not just a textbook, however. The Kitab al-Tasrif is a 30-chapter treatise on multiple areas of medicine, including surgery, dentistry, and childbirth.

The only one who needs ivory is an elephant

'We are failing the elephants'

CNN's David McKenzie investigates the horrors of elephant poaching in Africa. He fears our only memories of elephants may be those of their mutilated corposes.

Now, with current rates of poaching, they will be wiped out from some of their range states.They could even go locally extinct.

50, 100 years down the line, will this be in the history books? Will the "War on terror" be over?

Battle of Mosul begins as forces push toward Islamic State stronghold.

IS SCIENCE EATING ITS YOUNG?

Background.  Scientists and policy makers around the world increasingly worry about the plight of young researchers in academia, and for good reason. Competition for tenure-track positions has surged, and some early career researchers face tough odds in the quest for funding.  This week Nature pleads the case for the young in a special issue.

Design challenge.  How do we visually convey the idea that science is eating its young? We felt it was important to represent a system that has gone wrong, with various consequences, in an engaging way. The metaphor of a video came to mind, as young scientists find themselves trapped in framework, playing along.

We gave this brief to Megapont, an artist that specializes in isometric pixel art, and he created a fantastic scene for the cover. The retro gaming vibe gives a sense of an aging system that needs an overhaul. The detail in the artwork rewards the observant reader, with hidden treasures and references to iconic games and other worlds. And check out the tiny rat fleeing the scene - only a few pixels!

Have your say. Perhaps you are a young scientist who identifies with a cover character? Maybe the one slouched in dispair on the floor, or the one cutting out in bunny slippers? We’d like to hear your story – here’s a tumblr just for you: researchrealities.tumblr.com

-Kelly Krause

Watch: President Obama redefines black excellence in Congressional Black Caucus event speech 

I'd never heard about this before

Islam is the toughest religion to leave because of the restrictions and consequences associated with leaving. I know there are a lot of people out there contemplating leaving Islam and are already feeling agnostic. My piece of advice to them would be to not come out publicly with your apostasy. You can leave Islam if it feels like the right move, but if you are afraid of the consequences, then keep a secret. There are many ex-Muslims on tumblr, such as myself, you can speak to anonymously if you just need help or someone to share your views with.

Pig latin

Bacteriophage. This is one of a few pieces I’ve submitted to a gallery show I’m having with my friends/coworkers at Tr!ckster in Berkeley. Tried a somewhat different approach than my usual on this one, and I like it. 

Probably will have little prints available soon.