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Public History Comprehensive Exam Questions
One of the great pleasures of working at a school with a smaller Ph.D. program is that we get stretched to fill roles a bit outside our core area of expertise. This past week, for example, I was asked to be the third reader on a comprehensive exams for a student in the joint University […]
The rise and fall of binomial coefficients
When you expand (x + y)n, the coefficients increase then decrease. The largest coefficient is in the middle if n is even; it’s the two in the middle if n is odd. For example, the coefficients for (1 + x)4 … Read more ›
Duck Dynasty's Linguist
Who would have ever thunk that a linguist would be among the characters of a rural reality show? Not me, that's for sure. So imagine my surprise when Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson gave Katie Couric a lesson in articulatory phonetics during the Rural Reality Showdown: Duck Dynasty vs. Show More Summary
Premature birth interrupts vital brain development processes leading to reduced cognitive abilities in infants
Researchers have for the first time used a novel form of MRI to identify crucial developmental processes in the brain that are vulnerable to the effects of premature birth. This new study shows that disruption of these specific processes can have an impact on cognitive function.
On recoveries, elasticities, and Portuguese exports
Paul Krugman writes: Suppose that I could wave a magic wand (or play a few notes on a a Magic Flute) and suddenly increase all German wages by 20 percent. What do you think would happen to the value of the euro against the dollar and other currencies? It would drop a lot, yes? And [...]
X-47B Touch and Goes (ok, so...)
I lied about waiting for the X-47B to trap before posting another video. This is damned impressive.
Coastal states may reap federal funds
With the world’s oceans and coasts facing growing challenges from sea-level rise, ocean acidification and increasing temperatures, the U.S. Senate took action last week to protect America’s vital ocean resources. The Senate voted 68-31 to approve an amendment offered by U.S. Show More Summary
Best of Our Blogs: May 21, 2013
Living with Regret You’re probably able to let go of a bad day in the morning and an argument with a friend in a few day’s time. But the decisions you made that just didn’t work out, those could potentially negatively direct your life. Because we seldom have control over what happens in our life, [...]
Misnegation or term of art?
Roni Caryn Rabin, "No Easy Choices on Breast Reconstruction", NYT Blogs 5/20/2013: A syndrome called upper quarter dysfunction — its symptoms include pain, restricted immobility and impaired sensation and strength — has been reported in over half of breast cancer survivors and may be more frequent in those who undergo breast reconstruction, according to a 2012 [...]
Ocean acidification in Washington State: an exploration of its chemical, biological, and societal impacts
Saturday 15 June 2013, 4 PM Part of the Seattle Science Festival Ocean acidification is caused by very well understood chemical processes, though its progression in coastal estuaries is complicated by a variety of human activities. The US Pacific Northwest is a hot spot for rapid progression of ocean acidification. The region’s oyster industry has […]
Ocean acidification: a pain in the Arctic
No matter where you live, if you go outside and start walking north, at some point you’ll reach the Arctic Ocean. A vast expanse at the northern reaches of the planet, the Arctic Ocean supports a dizzying array of ocean wildldife, including the charismatic – and much threatened – polar bear. Most readers of The […]
Prehistoric Ceramic Research Group
The Prehistoric Ceramics Research Group consists of pottery specialists, other archaeologists and members of the public. The group aims to promote regular contacts between those with interests in prehistoric ceramics and to keep in touch with recent developments and current research. Show More Summary
Ocean Acidification: trouble for ocean ecosystems (video)
Presentation by Dr. Richard A. Feely at “Toward a sustainable 21st century”, University of California, Irvine, 3 May 2013. University of California, Irvine (Youtube), 14 May 2013. Video.
Ocean acidification: the next big threat to coral reefs?
By Dr. Lizzie Mcleod, Climate Adaptation Scientist for the Nature Conservancy, Asia Pacific Region As if the long list of threats to coral reefs weren’t enough, we can now add ocean acidification to the list. Perhaps you’ve seen the gloomy headlines like “Ocean Acidification: ‘Evil Twin’ Threatens World’s Oceans, Scientists Warn.” Perhaps it is no […]
Early victims of ocean acidification could go extinct this century
Increasing ocean acidification could lead to the extinction of an entire class of marine organisms by 2100 say a team of scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). “Forams – or foraminifera – are much like an amoeba with a shell,” explains Dr Sven Uthicke, lead author of the study which was published […]
History Buffs Applaud Raid
.On a metal detecting forum near you, the "responsible" tekkies ("passionately intersted in history") have reacted to yesterday's news of the seizure of 900 looted artefacts from a Norfolk home with joy. Bazza Thugwit, of Billericay for example writes (21 may 2013):Well caught! People who handle dodgy artefacts should get what they deserve. Show More Summary
Grammar vs. style: ignorance in The Times
Articles about English grammar in UK newspapers tend to exhibit an almost incredible degree of stupidity. In no other subject could such self-contradictory idiocy be accepted, or subjected to so little fact-checking. Today's exhibit is an article headed "English like it never should of been" by Oliver Moody in Saturday's The Times (London, 18 May [...]
Coin Change, Part 2
In the previous exercise we studied the classic coin change problem to find all the ways to make a given amount of change using a given set of coins. Sometimes the problem in a different way: find the minimum set of coins needed to make a given amount of change. As with the prior exercise, […]
How the ocean grows its own medicine
Ocean acidification can be hindered by oysters, which carry greater benefits than previously believed. If the ocean had a doctor, she might want to prescribe some oysters to treat local outbreaks of ocean acidification. New research shows that groups of oysters could actually help prevent coastal waters from becoming more acidic, one problematic result of […]
Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered by Hopkins researchers
The epigenetic modifications, which alter the way genes function without changing the underlying DNA sequence, can apparently be detected in the blood of pregnant women during any trimester, potentially providing a simple way to foretell...Show More Summary
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