Carl Zimmer's Blog, page 95

Pneumonia's Happy Ending?

In my lastest podcast, I talk to Keith Klugman of Emory University about pneumonia–how its devastation worldwide is worse than we once thought, and how vaccines are proving surprisingly effective at keeping it in check. A pneumonia vaccine may even prevent a replay of the 50 million deaths during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Check it out.

Neanderthals of the Pacific?

Some weird results on potential Neanderthal interbreeding are coming out. Nature News has a write-up. Hat tip, Vaughn Bell.

A Wasp Finds the Seat of the Cockroach Soul

If blogs could have mascots, the Loom's would be the Emerald Cockroach Wasp (Ampulex compressa). Back in 2006, I first wrote about the grisly sophistication of this insect, which turns cockroaches into zombie hosts to be devoured by their offspring. Since then I've blogged from time to time about new research on this parasite's parasite. Last year I sang the praises of the Emerald Cockroach Wasp on the NPR show Radiolab, and, to my surprise, brought some peace of mind to a very scared kid.

Sci...

Love By The Numbers [Science Tattoo]

Josephine writes, "My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer on Valentine's Day. Happy V-Day, right??  She, being the eternal matriarch of the family, called each child individually and told us the news. She is VERY upbeat and positive, and so we are, too. I am a mathematics major in college and when she told me the news, my sister and I both wanted tattoos in her honor.  At first I wanted a blue whale, it being her favorite animal, but I went with a heart curve. In mathematics, as I'm sure ...

The Athletic Brain

In the April issue of Discover, I take a look at the mind of the athlete. We may think of sports as a matter of muscle, but the brain is vital as well. And in becoming great athletes, people develop unusual brains. This transformation only makes sense–any intense training can change the brain, whether it's practicing the piano or learning Mandarin. But for some reason, the idea that being a great athlete is, in part, a cerebral exercise still comes as a surprise. In fact, according to this

The Latest Leech

Here's a wonderfully disturbing new species of leech that you don't want to find up your nose. For background, check out my profile of its discoverer, Mark Siddall, in the New York Times.

New York Times Obituary of Jack Schoenherr

Lovely tribute in the Times to the Great Bear of Locktown.

Tomorrow: A Day of Science in Boston

A reminder to Bostonites: I'll be speaking tomorrow at 4 at the Museum of Science as part of an all-day bash put on by the Massachusetts Academy of Sciences. The weather outside is going to be frightful, or at least dreadful, so why not enjoy some indoor entertainment? More information and registration here.

Returning to the Internet Cave

I've been away visiting relatives who somehow survive without WiFi. So now I'll be catching up with a series of quick posts over the course of the day.

In Memory of the Great Bear of Locktown

Today, I'm very sad to say, the artist John Schoenherr passed away. Among his honors, Schoenherr earned a Caldecott Award for his paintings for the book Owl Moon. His dark, textured artwork did justice to all manner of life, from a Canada goose to a giant sandworm.

I met Jack when I was just ten years old, through his son Ian. He was not the typical father of your fifth-grade friends. He got up not long before noon, sat for a while at the kitchen table with some coffee, making a few  jokes...