| Report: Climate science panel needs change at top By SETH BORENSTEIN 2010-08-30T21:37:46ZWASHINGTON (AP) -- Scientists reviewing the acclaimed but beleaguered international climate change panel called Monday for a major overhaul in the way it's run, but stopped short of calling for the ouster of the current leader.... hosted.ap.org |
Vision and Obesity Researchers Are Winners of Lasker Awards The awards honored research that led to a cure for a type of vision loss and that may help understanding into obesity. feeds.nytimes.com |
Mystery Bird: Bank swallow, Riparia riparia | GrrlScientist Mystery bird demystified! This small migratory bird has a nearly world-wide distribution, so everyone gets to have fun with this IDBank swallow, Riparia riparia, also known as the collared sand martin, photographed during the Smith Point Hawk Watch at Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Texas, USA.Image: Joseph Kennedy, 16 September 2010. [larger view].Nikon D200, Kowa 883 telescope with TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/640s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400Question: These small migratory birds have a nearly world-wide distribution, primarily limited by one factor. Can you name this species and tell me what is the main factor that limits its distribution?Response: As its scientific name implies, the bank swallow or collared sand martin, Riparia riparia, is strongly dependent upon riparian areas, where it lives and breeds. The occurrence of riparian areas is the primary limit to where you will find this small bird within its nearly cosmopolitan range. If you have bird images, video or mp3 files that you'd like to share with a large and appreciate audience, feel free to email them to me for consideration.GrrlScientistguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
TAM London: Geeks and comedians gather to celebrate critical thinking The message going out from the second annual TAM conference this weekend is that science, technology and rational thinking are essential to the future of the UKWhat do comedians and scientists have in common? Often, it's a love of all things geeky, and nowhere is that more obvious than at TAM London, the UK's biggest conference celebrating science and critical thinking. Now in its second year, TAM (short for The Amazing Meeting) has been described by Jonathan Ross as "the best event ever!!!" and arrives this weekend with a line-up of speakers including Richard Dawkins, comic book legend Alan Moore, Graham Linehan and Stephen Fry.Guardian Science blogger Martin Robbins is covering the event here with a live-blogging marathon over the weekend, featuring commentary, audio clips and photos from the conference and fringe events.TAM London is a fundraiser for the James Randi Educational Foundation, home of the Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge, which promotes critical thinking and scientific literacy.Organiser Tracy King said: "The focus is on entertainment and education. People come to TAM because they want to learn and hear from leading speakers on subjects which interest them, but they want to have a good time doing it. Our mix of academics, comedians and writers ensures an incredible event where the public can meet like-minded people without feeling like being into science or geek stuff makes them a minority."With science funding under threat, it's more important than ever for TAM London to reach the public with its message – that science, technology and rational thinking are essential to the healthy future of the UK."The full TAM London 2010 line-up includes:Tim Minchin, Richard Dawkins, Stephen Fry, James Randi, Graham Linehan, Richard Wiseman, Marcus Chown, Sue Blackmore, PZ Myers, Alan Moore, Melinda Gebbie, Andy Nyman, Robin Ince, Adam Rutherford, Simon Singh and Cory Doctorow. Details can be found at www.tamlondon.orgGadgetsResearch and developmentRichard DawkinsStephen FrySimon Singhguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Year reaches record temperatures This year is heading to be the hottest or second hottest on record, according to the Met Office. bbc.co.uk |