“Hunky” Biologist Saves Bear from Drowning! June 30, 2008
Posted by Colloquy in Science, news.Tags: Evolution, Green Earth, news, Science
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When things like this happen, it makes me really proud to be married to a science nerd. 
(He’s “hunky” too BTW!)
Adam Warwick, a biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, was concerned about a 375lb. black bear that ran into the Gulf of Mexico after being shot with a tranquiliser dart. (Did I mention that he’s from Florida!) He was right to be concerned – the bear became incapacitated by the tranquiliser and began to sink.
“At that point I knew I had to keep the bear from drowning,” he said. “After a few seconds the bear popped his head up out of the water and thrashed around a bit, but could obviously no longer keep his head above water.”
Mr Warwick kept one arm underneath the bear gripped the scruff of the bear’s neck with the other to keep its head above water as he dragged the animal back to shore.
I Made ERV’s List! June 29, 2008
Posted by Colloquy in Uncategorized.Tags: Personal
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I’m so excited! I can hardly believe SHE took the time to visit my inferior blog, but she did, and now I’m as happy as a little girl!
I am not worthy!
ERV ROCKS!!!
Scuba Diving in Boca Raton June 29, 2008
Posted by Colloquy in Uncategorized.Tags: Personal, Recreation
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My hubby and son went diving this weekend in Boca Raton Fl. with Captain Tony. They took some great pictures of some the sea life there.
These were taken in 59 feet of water on a reef off Deerfield Beach. The first 3 pics are of a Stingray obviously. (I think they were way too close!) Then there’s an emperor fish, a puffer fish, and a ????
Do you know? Please tell me! It’s very cute!
(Click on the pics to get a better look)
He Signed the Flippin’ Bill-What an IDIOT! June 27, 2008
Posted by Colloquy in Education, Politics, Science, news.Tags: Education, Evolution, news, Personal, Politics, Science
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Louisiana Governor-Bobby Jindal- actually signed the anti-science bill that “Flew” through the LA House and Senate. He didn’t respond to the call for a VETO by the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, The Louisiana Coalition for Science, and numerous other groups, citizens, and even Louisiana educators.
The New York Times, which previously has praised Jindal’s push for ethics law changes, published an editorial titled “Louisiana’s Latest Assault on Darwin,” recalling a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down a Louisiana law requiring that biblical creationism and Darwinian theory be given equal time in the classroom. “If Mr. Jindal has the interests of students at heart, the sensible thing is to veto this Trojan horse legislation,” the Times editorial board wrote.
Source – HT-Florida Citizens for Science
And of course you guessed it – The Discovery Institute is ecstatic. They will get to sell lots and lots of sub par science books to Louisiana schools and innocent school children.
The only question left is : Who is going to file the law suit? and when?
I suppose this could be a good thing – maybe after we go all the way to the Supreme Court, we can put this issue to bed for good. …….. Those poor children. –sigh.
Mom has a Headache … June 25, 2008
Posted by Colloquy in Education, Science.Tags: Education, Evolution, Science
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so I told her I would post something here for her today.
I find these guys kind of interesting :
Giant Salamanders
The Asian Giant Salamander otherwise known as the “hellbender”, is the one of the largest
salamanders known to man. This animal is found in ponds in the eastern
United States, Japan, and China. The Japanese giant salamander can reach
lengths of up to 1.44 meters. The Chinese giant salamander can reach lengths
of up to 1.8 meters and feeds upon unsuspecting fish and crustaceans. They
often hunt at night in groups. Though having poor eyesight these amphibians
have sensory nodes on their heads making up for the disadvantage. During
mating these salamanders travel upstream to reproduce. The male will often
let other males into his den during mating season.( ???? )
Source
BreakThrough in the Canine Genome Puzzle June 24, 2008
Posted by Colloquy in Humor, Science, news.Tags: Evolution, Humor, news, Personal, Science
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You may have heard recently that…
Dogs vary in size, shape, color, coat length and behavior more than any other animal and until now, this variance has largely been unexplained. Now, scientists have developed a method to identify the genetic basis for this diversity that may have far-reaching benefits for dogs and their owners.
The identification of the genes may also lead to understanding of some diseases that afflict dogs and maybe some humans too!
And although this is terrific news! I’m not quite sure that we really want to know the reason for this …
(more…)
Possible Cure for type of Mental Retardation in Sight June 22, 2008
Posted by Colloquy in Science, media, news.Tags: Evolution, Health, media, Medicine, news, Personal, Science
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I’m constantly amazed by scientists and researchers and the things they can achieve to make each of our lives better. Can you imagine a world where people don’t have to suffer mental retardation and/or Autism?
UCLA researchers discovered that an FDA-approved drug reverses the brain dysfunction inflicted by a genetic disease called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Because half of TSC patients also suffer from autism, the findings offer new hope for addressing learning disorders due to autism.
“This is the first study to demonstrate that the drug rapamycin can repair learning deficits related to a genetic mutation that causes autism in humans. The same mutation in animals produces learning disorders, which we were able to eliminate in adult mice,” explained principal investigator Dr. Alcino Silva, professor of neurobiology and psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “Our work and other recent studies suggest that some forms of mental retardation can be reversed, even in the adult brain.”
Keep your eyes and ears open about this topic and make sure you support “GOOD SCIENCE” education, because without it – amazing discoveries like this are less likely to happen.
If I Only Have One Day Left … June 21, 2008
Posted by Colloquy in Uncategorized.Tags: Personal
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Let it be at a swim meet. They last forever!
Stop the Insanity! June 19, 2008
Posted by Colloquy in Education, Politics, Science, news.Tags: Education, Evolution, news, Personal, Politics, Rant, Science
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They Simply Killed their Children. I’m so angry. How much more of this are we going to allow?
On March 2nd 2008 the parents of a 15 month old little girl – Ava Worthington – allowed her to die from a bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection. All she needed was to be treated with antibiotics and she would have been fine.
On March 23rd 2008 the parents of 11 yr old Kara Neumann allowed her to die from diabetic ketoacidosis (complications due to diabetes).
On June 16th 2008 – Because he thought his child was posessed with demons …
a 27-year-old Turlock man punched and stomped a toddler to death on a darkened country road Saturday night in Stanislaus County before a police officer shot and killed the attacker.
On June 18th 2008 (yesterday) – 16 yr old Neal Beagley died from a urinary tract condition that could have been treated with a simple catheter that could have saved his life and prevented his excruciating pain. The family belongs to the Oregon City Followers of Christ Church, which disapproves of any medical intervention.
Please note the dates here. They all took place in 2008. … It’s only June.
IT’S CHILD ABUSE!!!!
I’m afraid for this country if it has to “respect” religious beliefs to the point that it means that kids are dying and little girls in Texas are being married at 9 years old. Religion is not an excuse for criminally negligent homicide or pedophilia. And now …
Bobby Jindal, the 36-year old governor of Louisiana, is being taken seriously by the national press as a candidate on the shortlist to be John McCain’s Vice President. No one doubts that he’s a political prodigy — his impressive resume includes stints as president of the state university system, a Congressman and now governor. But one of Jindal’s job titles hasn’t gotten much attention — and it just might prompt a few questions if his Veep candidacy gains steam: Exorcist. Source
Now, the ENTIRE STATE of Louisiana is finding it’s way back to the dark ages because the legislature there thinks it won’t be a problem to introduce Intelligent Design/Creationism into the science classroom.
Governor Jindal – VETO SB733 June 18, 2008
Posted by Colloquy in Education, Politics, Science, news.Tags: Education, Evolution, Green Earth, news, Personal, Politics, Science
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Write an e mail and post it on your blog if you have one. Get the word out.
The Louisiana Governor is about to sign a bill in to law that will allow creationism to be taught in public school science class.
Tell him how wrong this is. Nuff said.
Here’s his e mail information:
http://www.gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=email_governor
EDIT TO POST: Here are some talking points provided by “Stand up for REAL Science” and Louisiana Coalition for Science.
Point 1: The Louisiana law, SB 733, the LA Science Education Act, has national implications. So far, this legislation has failed in every other
state where it was proposed, except in Michigan, where it remains in committee. By passing SB 733, Louisiana has set a dangerous precedent that will benefit the Discovery Institute by helping them to advance their strategy to get intelligent design creationism into public schools. Louisiana is only the beginning. Other states [like Kansas - with creationists Steve Abrams & Iris VanMeter running for state senate - csa] will now be encouraged to pass such legislation, and the Discovery Institute has already said that they will continue their push to get such legislation passed.
Point 2: Since Gov. Jindal’s support for teaching ID clearly helped to get this bill passed in the first place, his decision to veto it will stick if he lets the legislature know that he wants it to stick.
Point 3: Simply allowing the bill to become law without his signature does not absolve the governor of the responsibility for protecting the public school science classes of Louisiana. He must veto the bill to show that he is serious about improving Louisiana by improving education. Anything less than a veto means that the governor is giving a green light to creationists to undermine the education of Louisiana children.
Point 4: If Jindal has any hopes of running with McCain, he’d do well to consider that the three Republican evolution deniers – Huckabee, Brownback, and . . . whatsisname – are now former future presidential candidates.
