If you find us, run. Because we will not make peace. We only know war. We will capture you, Examine and dissect you. If we fear you, hide. Because fear drives us to exterminate the source. We are small-minded. I apologise On behalf of my species, For our ignorance.
The Science Creative Quarterly
The Science Creative Quarterly (SCQ) is not a quarterly, but instead publishes new material at a non-linear rate. Currently, it is sleeping and in a sort of stasis (turpor?) It used to seek science writing of any genre, and your contribution would have involved checking out our submissions guidelines.
The Science Creative Quarterly (SCQ) has a single print edition so far (half SCQ pieces, and half fake science journal – see here for more details). Also, badges?
Stay safe everyone!
Oil Tanker Spills: An FAQ
GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ISSUE What are oil tankers? Oil tankers are ocean vessels that transport petroleum oil (10). Petroleum is a liquid mixture composed of hydrocarbons and is mainly used to produce gasoline (10). Tankers can transport crude oil from oil extraction sites, such as tar sands, to refineries (11). Alternatively, they can transport refined oil from refineries to consumers (11). How do oil tanker spills happen? Oil spills from tankers in the ocean occur mainly from loading and discharging oil, equipment and hull failures, collisions, fires, or explosions (12). Since the 1970’s, there have been significant improvements in…
STUDENTS TRY TO SPEAK TO A FEDERAL SCIENTIST: THEY FAIL. ON THE MUZZLING OF CANADIAN SCIENCE.
What if there was a non-political research project that involved a collaboration between NASA scientists and Environment Canada scientists? How easy would it be for a journalist to talk to the scientists involved? It turns out it would take only 15 minutes for something to be arranged with NASA. With Environment Canada, however, it would take the activities of 11 media relations people, sending over 50 pages of internal emails, before a list of irrelevant information was finally sent back – all of this long after the deadline had passed. This is what happened to journalist Tom Spears in April 2012.…
METAGENOMIC METHODS REVEAL MARVELOUS MICROBIAL MICROCOSMS
Do you know how many different kinds of microbes exist on Earth? It may sound like a silly question but please indulge me and try to come up with a number… ready for the answer…? I hate to disappoint you but… it turns out that we still do not know! For most of the twenty-first century, few biologists contested the view that plants and animals accounted for the majority of the planet’s diversity (Curtis et al. 2006). Their perspective on microbial diversity was deeply skewed by the fact that they only recognized the select few species capable of growing under…
SACRED WASTE: A POLYMERIC RITUAL AT THE NEW ORLEANS FRINGE FESTIVAL
I have a small part in a show called SACRED WASTE which was created by LSU Ph.D. student Bonny McDonald – which is playing in the upcoming New Orleans Fringe Fest. The show involves dance, poetry, ritual, elaborate costumes (made of 100% recycled plastic), and explores many aspects of the relationship between humans and plastic – including the manufacture of it here in Louisiana, and some introductory polymer chemistry! SACRED WASTE was one of 30 shows jury selected to play in the New Orleans Fringe Festival (out of > 200 entries). This performance art show is a unique blend of…
THE 2013 CANDY HIERARCHY – A SCIENCE CREATIVE QUARTERLY PIN UP (NO. 6)
Click on the image for larger graphic. – – – (CLICK HERE FOR PIN-UP POSTER – pdf file ~1Mb) – We suggest photocopying at 129% – LTR to 11×17 – – – – ABSTRACT The “Candy Hierarchy” represents a thoroughly authoritative attempt to scientifically measure and classify Halloween Candy by assessing “joy induction.” More or less. Since 2006, Cohen and Ng have curated these rankings as an ongoing longitudinal study, one which reassesses itself through the use of the newest technologies (often teeth and jaws) and robust scientific peer review (comments). This article therefore presents the latest rankings with insight…
UPREGULATED MEMBRANE EXPRESSION OF A CONSERVED VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUM CHANNEL, Nav1.4a AND ELECTRICAL ORGAN DISCHARGE IN ELECTRIC MOUSE, P. pikachu
– – – PLOS BIOLOGY (March 2013). Vol 11 Issue 3. e1001501 p1-6 pdf download ABSTRACT Electrocytes contain membrane proteins that allow the polarization of the plasma membrane, thereby allowing the generation of electricity in animals. It has been long established how electricity is generated in the electric eel, but recent studies found similar electrocytes to be active in electric mice. We aimed to study the basis behind electric discharge in a land animal. We found that the voltage-gated sodium channel, Nav1.4a, was expressed in electric organs of the electric mouse, Pokemon pikachu and the electric eel, Electrophorus electricus. However, Nav1.4a…
PHYLOGENY HAIKU ON THE GREAT APES
Pongo abelii Orangutan asks Why only use my two hands? Feet are just as good Pongo pygmaeus Orangutan climbs A good distance away from African great apes Gorilla gorilla Gorilla ponders When brute force fails to resolve Perhaps more force works Gorilla beringei Mountain gorilla Calmly chews wild celery Peaceful times are rare Pan paniscus Bonobo grins big The sweeter the fruit should be The more sex required Pan troglodytes Chimpanzee hoots loud In the driving rainstorm’s wrath Why no umbrella? Homo sapiens Human walks away From forest and savannah Just sits in traffic
PIECE OF MINE: A CONFLICT MINERALS FAQ
What are conflict minerals? Conflict minerals are natural resources whose illegal exploitation and trade in a context of war make millions in revenue for armed groups who in turn use these funds to purchase weapons that fuel violence and perpetuate human rights abuses. The UN General Assembly first officially discussed the concept in relation to “blood diamonds,” the first conflict mineral to gain notoriety [ii]. Between 1992 and 1998, the main rebel group in diamond-rich Angola, UNITA, is said to have profited up to $4 billion USD from diamonds [iii]. – – – What are the most common conflict minerals…