Ingenial » science

A Plastic Bag’s Story

Ric Bruce — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:11:47 +0000

This story is moving, if only because the narrating is provided by Werner Herzog and the cinematography is well done.

Science Rebuilds Haiti

Ric Bruce — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:29:03 +0000

I think this video showing Columbia University’s efforts to pool scientific knowledge in rebuilding Haiti paints a striking picture of the good scientific information can do when put to practical uses on the ground. Check out these project participants talk about their work in Haiti:

A Future for Haiti: Science and Solutions for a Beleaguered Nation from Earth Institute on Vimeo via Boing Boing

Could baldness be good for your health?

Ric Bruce — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:54:54 +0000

I submit to you: is this even a debate? Of course baldness is good for you.

But don’t look at my bald head (shown in the picture). Let’s look at the facts.

In a recent study the Washington School of Medicine found those whose hair began thinning by age 30 had a significantly lower chance of contracting tumors. Even more impressive: “Men who had started to develop bald spots on the top of their heads as well as receding hairlines had a 29% to 45% reduction in the risk of prostate cancer.”

The reason? Possibly testosterone. Men who have more testosterone bald faster but they also seem resistant to tumors. The study certainly has holes in it and more study needs to be done but I’m taking the results and running with them. I’ll be laughing at all you full-head-of hair people in 20 years.

Read the full article at BBC

Grasping the size and scale of cells

Micah Goulart — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:25:09 +0000

Blows your mind to see the scale of the cells compared to each other.

View the chart.