| Famed Tasmanian devil euthanized after tumor found By KRISTEN GELINEAU 2010-09-01T07:44:54ZSYDNEY (AP) -- A Tasmanian devil named Cedric, once thought to be immune to a contagious facial cancer threatening the iconic creatures with extinction, has been euthanized after succumbing to the disease, researchers said Wednesday.... hosted.ap.org |
Simon Swordy obituary Our friend Simon Swordy, who has died from lymphoma aged 56, was a world-renowned astrophysicist and a brilliant wit, inventor, artist, enthusiast and semi-professional flamenco guitarist. From childhood, Simon – known as "Stig" – showed an amazing ability to bring his ideas to life, from Meccano to building radios. In the 1970s he amazed his student household by creating a prototype video game years before they appeared commercially.The son of teachers, he was born in Birmingham, where he attended St Philip's grammar school in Edgbaston. He later went to Barstable school in Basildon, Essex. After spells as a forklift driver at the Yardley of London cosmetics factory in Basildon, and as conductor of the 151 bus from Canvey Island to Wood Green, Simon arrived at Bristol University – where his parents had met – in 1972. There he combined his many talents and embarked on a lifelong involvement with cutting-edge astrophysics. During this time he also met Jo, whom he married in 1984.Simon gained a first-class physics degree and a PhD in cosmic rays under professor Peter Fowler before being poached by the US. A brief interview during a stopover at Heathrow airport was enough to convince Chicago University's Peter Meyer of his potential.In Chicago, Simon ran the development of a major experiment on a Nasa space shuttle. Known as the Chicago Egg, the experiment provided the first direct observations of high-energy cosmic rays. His mentor at Chicago University, Dietrich Muller, attributed the Egg's success to Simon's inexhaustible supply of new ideas and unconventional solutions, as well as his dry humour and the sense of camaraderie he created.The university gave him the job of enthusing non-scientists with his passion. A favourite lecture stunt of his was to put on a crash helmet and release a bowling ball pendulum from directly in front of his face, not flinching as the laws of gravity repeatedly saved him from injury. He was the James Franck professor of physics, astronomy and astrophysics at the university and in 2007 he became director of its Enrico Fermi Institute.Simon was also a familiar figure on Chicago's music scene, playing frequently with flamenco artists. He had learned flamenco guitar with Juan MartÃn, and described his first encounter with the great Paco de LucÃa as life-changing.Simon was a terrific friend, completely without ego – in spite of his ridiculous range of talents – and very funny. He is survived by Jo and their children, John, Chris and Julia; his brothers, Stephen, Andrew and Peter; his sister, Marie; and his mother, Zena.NasaFlamencoguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Especially for all you wannabe brain surgeons out there ... | GrrlScientist Help Dr Vanessa Mei cut, probe and drill her way to helping her patient cope with a movement disorder through deep brain stimulation surgeryThis online interactive brain surgery simulation, created by EdHeads and Ohio State University Medical Centre, is fascinating, perfect for science classrooms – and for all you wannabe brain surgeons out there!GrrlScientistguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
How the whole is greater than the sum of its parts After mapping humans' intricate social networks, Nicholas Christakis and colleague James Fowler began investigating how this information could better our lives. Now, he reveals his hot-off-the-press findings: These networks can be used to detect epidemics earlier than ever, from the spread of innovative ideas to risky behaviors to diseaseAfter mapping humans' intricate social networks, Nicholas Christakis and colleague James Fowler began investigating how this information could better our lives. Now, he reveals his hot-off-the-press findings: These networks can be used to detect epidemics earlier than ever, from the spread of innovative ideas to risky behaviors to viruses (like H1N1). TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks.GrrlScientistguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Findings: Murder! Intrigue! Astronomers? The story of the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe has box-office potential. feeds.nytimes.com |