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December 21, 2015
First Pair Of Identical Polar Bear Twins Found
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Aside from discovering a pair of identical twins, researchers also found evidence of polar bear mothers adopting cubs. outdoorsman/Shutterstock
Researchers in Canada have conducted an extensive genetic study on polar bears living in the Western Hudson Bay, producing a number of findings that contribute to our previously limited understanding of these elusive ice bears’ mating patterns. Among the most surprising discoveries was the detection of a pair of genetically identical twins – the first such case ever reported in any species of bear.
December 20, 2015
The First Kitzmas
[View the story "The First Kitzmas" on Storify]
Watch These Mountain Goats Get A Helicopter Ride in Utah
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National Geographic/YouTube
Mountain goats are known for their ability to tackle the most treacherous of terrains. But now, they take on a whole new territory: the skies.
The Evolution Of Anti-Evolutionary Legislation
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The anti-evolution league outside the Scopes Monkey trial. Public Domain
It's not often that a peer-reviewed scientific paper could also be considered an example of first-class trolling, but Dr. Nick Matzke has achieved this combination in the journal Science. A study of the way legislation for the teaching of creationist beliefs in schools has evolved demonstrates that even anti-evolution activists behave according to many of the principles of natural selection.
Climate Change Deniers Hilariously Misrepresent Data
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You can make statistics say what ever you want them to. rui vale sousa/Shutterstock
So how can climate change deniers misrepresent data to show that there has been no increase in global temperatures? One way is to make the y-axis scale so large that it completely obscures any trend.
This trick was attempted by the conservative magazine National Review, which tweeted that this was "the only #climatechange chart you need to see."
Enormous Asteroid Will Zip Past Earth On Christmas Eve
Photo credit:
Arecibo Observatory/NASA/NSF
Christmas Eve is going to be a busy night in space for Earth-dwellers. Not only will the International Space Station (ISS) be visible over the U.K. on Christmas Eve, but there will also be a giant asteroid passing over Earth. And Santa’s sleigh will be up there too, obviously.
Black Holes – In a Nutshell
YouTube account “In a Nutshell – Kurzgesagt” has made this fantastic video on Black Holes with some amazing animations. It does not stop with the video however – check out this great collection of the best resources and content from all over the web on the cosmic quandaries on Wakelet: https://wakelet.com/wake/46MKeCLTKk
Here is the Black Hole Wake we mentioned above, embedded:
This Week in Science (Dec. 13 – 20)
This is a collection of the 10 best and most popular stories from science and technology over the past 7 days. Click the individual images below to read the stories and follow the This Week in Science on wakelet (here) to get these weekly updates straight to your inbox every Sunday.
Happy 10th Kitzmas!
A beloved holiday tradition returns.
’Twas the night before Kitzmas and all through the land,
No creationist was stirring, not even Ken Ham;
The briefs had been drafted and filed with great care,
In hopes that Judge Jones’s decision’d be fair;
The plaintiffs were nestled all snug in their beds,
While Bill of Rights visions ran round in their heads;
And Nick blogged for PT, and Vic played The Boss,
And fretted and fussed o’er the chance of a loss,
When over the wires there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to NetNewsWire I flew like a flash,
I started my browser and cleared out the cache.
The ruling I found at the federal court
Was a verdict I knew I would love to report.
For what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a hundred-plus pages, all written so clear,
With lawyerly flourish like ten score trombones,
I knew in a moment it must be Judge Jones.
More sharper than razors the experts they came,
Whom he cited, and marshaled, and quoted by name:
“Now, Miller! now, Alters! now, Padian—why not—
On, Robert T. Pennock! on, Forrest and Haught!
The Establishment Clause says that Pandas must go,
ID isn’t science; heck, Fuller says so!”
The case had been brought in a federal court
When the Dover school board thought it wise to consort
With Disco. ’tute shysters who sold them a line:
“Don’t call it creation, but ID should be fine.”
As rats that behind the Pied Piper did flow,
The school board had taken the DI’s say-so;
The teachers they ordered to point to ID,
“Evolution’s a theory, with gaps, don’t you see!”
A book had been bought to be put on their shelves;
Who purchased the book? No one knew, maybe elves.
More likely, a church group had ponied the dough,
But when pressed on the point Buckingham had said “no.”
His lies how they winkled! His obstruction so crude!
In the face of such efforts, eleven folks sued.
Tammy and friends brought the ACLU,
Steve Harvey and Rothschild joined pro bono too,
The quartet was finished by Richard B. Katskee,
With sciencey backing from Nicholas Matzke.
(The opposite side was in sad disarray:
For Dembski and Meyer had scuttled away,
While Minnich and Fuller and Michael J. Behe
Gave tragicomedic performances, e.g.
Comparing ID to a view like astrology—
I think that Jeane Dixon is owed an apology.
The More Center’s Thompson was no Machiavelli;
His case was as firm as a bowl full of jelly.)
To the court came reporters, in need of news hooks,
And Lauri and Gordy and Edward wrote books.
And Matthew wrote also, of Darwin’s own breed,
Each one of their books is a cracking good read.
Jones heard the case fairly, not tipping his hand,
Though the case it moved slowly, and forty days spanned.
His ruling was thorough, at times it waxed furious,
That board members lied he considered perjurious.
By then an election had sorted their hash,
Still Jones fined the board around two million cash.
In reading the ruling I filled up with glee,
The flaws of ID for the whole world to see!
In schools ’cross the nation I knew folks would say—
“Happy Kitzmas to all, and to all a good day!”
By Josh Rosenau and Glenn Branch, with apologies to Clement Clark Moore.
Reports of the NCSE 35:6 contains reminiscences of the Kitzmiller trial from Lauri Lebo, Jennifer Miller, Kenneth R. Miller, Eric Rothschild, and NCSE’s Eugenie C. Scott—all well worth reading!
December 19, 2015
Remains Of Captive Carnivores Discovered At Mexican Pyramid
Photo credit:
Pumas, wolves and eagles were raised by the inhabitants of the ancient city of Teotihuacan, probably for use in sacrificial rituals. Ricardo David Sánchez via Wikimedia commons
Archaeologists have discovered the remains of the earliest known captive carnivores in Mesoamerica, after excavating the pyramids at the ancient city of Teotihuacan in Mexico. Among the findings were the bones of pumas, eagles and wolves, many of which displayed markings which probably correspond to brutal treatment by their human captors.
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