This is totally off my usual topics, but I’m not really in the mood for a proper blog today – I’ve just got back from taking our oldest cat, Milo, on a one-way trip to our vet.
Continue readingMonth: October 2008
diabetes, pigs, & xenotransplantation
I know from spending time with the Bio scholarship students at Hamilton Girls High that xenotransplantation is an issue that some of you might have discussed. It seems that ERV is also interested – not surprising given her focus on endogenous retroviruses. In her latest post, she says: Why the hell was I interested in […]
Continue readinga three-way symbiosis
Here’s a really interesting story that I picked up on while reading ERV’s blog. We hear about 2-way symbioses/mutualisms (fungus+alga & fungus+cyanobacterium in lichens, & the mycorrhizal relationship between plants & fungi) – but here’s something special: a three-way symbiosis between a fungus, a grass – & a virus (Marquez et al., 2008).
Continue readingwhat everyone should know about science
I was just reading Charles Darwin’s latest blogposts (it seems he’s off to sea again – I hope he’s over the seasickness that plagued him on his first Beagle voyage) & followed his ‘science education’ tag to this little gem: what everyone should know about science. What else do you think should be on the list?
Continue readingcandles & ears – not a good mix
This topic’s one that I use when I’m talking with year 10 students about critical thinking: ear candling. It involves the close approach of ears & candles. Hollow, burning candles.
Continue readinga new voyage for the beagle
The Beagle Project aims to build a replica of HMS Beagle and retrace Darwin’s famous voyage. The intention is that this will inspire global audiences through unique public engagement and learning programmes, and original scientific research in evolutionary biology, biodiversity and climate change. I think it’s great! I’ve been keeping half an eye on the website, […]
Continue readingmore on the pau d’arco question
The question in question was about the proposed use of the herb pau d’arco as a prophylactic against MRSA: Evaluate the claims of the therapist, then use your biological knowledge to discuss the advice given. What are the possible evolutionary & ecological outcomes of the proposed treatment?
Continue readinghappy birthday, Earth!
I’ve just remembered (well, Ken reminded me) that today’s the Earth’s birthday. According, that is, to the chronology proposed by Archbishop James Ussher, way back in 1650. So, Happy Birthday, Earth! Back in 2005 we celebrated this happy event with a Cafe Scientifque – we had a cake & everything. Of course, we also talked about […]
Continue readingdid dinosaurs have lungs like those of birds?
If you studied animal form & function in year 12, you may well have looked at gas exchange systems. Most first-year bio courses will build on that, & at Waikato we introduce a whole range: skin surface, external & internal gills, the tracheal system in insects, & lungs. Including bird lungs. Now, bird lungs are […]
Continue readingthinking carefully about the question
We spend quite a bit of time on critical thinking during the Schol preparation days. This is because of the need – identified by the examiner’s report every year – for candidates to think critically about both the question (just what is the examiner asking me to do?) and their response to it (what, of all […]
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