Archive for the 'science' Tag

20% of Scientists use “Cognition Enhancement” Drugs

According to a recent anonymous poll in Nature magazine. Further commentary at WebMD. Crazy, huh?

Candidacy Exam Anticipation… Forever!

As a warning, this is going to be a bit of a whining post, but I really want to get it out. I’m in a molecular biology PhD program and in my specific program I have to write an approximately 20 page proposal on a topic (completely unrelated to the topic I’m actually studying in my lab) and then defend it in front of four established professors in my department (usually in a 3+ hours meeting with only white boards as props) in order to advance to candidacy. I’m at the stage where I submitted my proposal, have done a mock defense, and am now just waiting for the thing to be scheduled (professors are busy!)… it’s now been over 3 weeks since I submitted it and there’s no date picked.
(continued)

Scientists for a better PCR

Because you need to know who’s your daddy
The PCR Song

First author Andrew!

I know it’s been a long time since Andrew posted here, so I thought I’d take the initiative and post the news that Andrew is now a First Author on a paper just accepted by JACS!! A happy upturn in the horse latitudes of research!

edit: Detection of Sequence-Specific Protein-DNA Interactions via Surface Enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering

Candidacy Exam

I just wanted to post a brief update, and maybe a call for well-wishing. My Exam for Advancement to PhD Candidacy (a.k.a. the Candidacy Exam) is this Friday at 3 pm. It’s kind of strange. On one hand, it’s probably the biggest, most important (and final) test I’ll ever take. On the other hand, it’s on stuff that I work with everyday and with which I’m very familiar. But I think I’m ready… but I wouldn’t mind it at all if you all kept me in your thoughts on Friday.

LASIK

I’ve been considering getting LASIK performed on my eyes for many years… Now, I think, is that time: the technology is advanced enough, my eyes are stable enough, and I’m financially sound enough. Read on for my deliberations and ramblings about the procedure, finding a reputable surgeon and more! (continued)

Watch the Alphabet Evolve

Alphabet Evolution. Always remember, the idea of an alphabet has only evolved once, whereas pictograms have independently evolved at least 3 times.

I’m in the wrong field or I’m sane or both

A while back, a co-worker of mine posted an editorial they had clipped from Nature, which was the advice of an experienced researcher to potential graduate students in the sciences titled “What makes a good graduate student?”.

Now, either I’m a textbook example of a piss-poor graduate student, or the author is an elitist crazy and I’m sane. Read on to see snippets of her “advice”, and my incredulity and disbelief. (continued)

Powers of Ten

You should go watch this amazing video that shows scale- from the universe to an atom. Nifty!

Rantback: Juicy Morsels

Welcome to the first Rantback , which consolidates lots of little thoughts into one post. In this issue: Feminine form in video games, Cancer, Pets, and Teaching. (continued)