Links for you. Science:
Save the Parasites (Seriously): Why nature’s least sympathetic creatures deserve to be saved, and how to make a start
Mislabeled Genomes to be Fixed: Conference elicits buzz about the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s efforts to clean up genome entries
The Murray collection of pre-antibiotic era Enterobacteriacae: a unique research resource (this is really important for understanding both the evolution of these clinically important bacteria and the evolution of plasmids)
Scientist says researchers in immigrant-friendly nations can’t use his software
How People Living at Earth’s Extremes Reveal the Genome’s Best Tricks
Other:
Toys ‘R’ Us Brings Temporary Foreign Workers to U.S. to Move Jobs Overseas
Sometimes, It’s Good to Know Who to Blame
When the Palinist Impulse Collides With Governing (seems relevant to current events)
“Dream of Suburbia often a nightmare…”
So what about beauty?
BUT REPUBLICANS NEVER FACE CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR IRRESPONSIBILITY
Eyes down, minds elsewhere, ‘deadwalkers’ are among us (the other issue is earphones/buds: a lot of not bumping into people is subconsciouly registered sound)
D.C. Takes Steps To Improve Housing For Homeless During Winter
Mayor Bowser’s Vision Zero Act of 2015 (not as good as Councilwoman Cheh’s plan, but baby steps…)
How Journalism Helps Lunacy Become Reality
The Black Activists Who Helped Launch the Drug War (but also read this)
Why Americans can’t write
The Hopeful, Heartbreaking Ads Placed by Formerly Enslaved People in Search of Lost Family
mikethemadbiologist
Quote from “Why Americans Can’t Write”:
“With the advent of e-mail, writing ability has become more important than ever, and writing deficiencies have become increasingly apparent.”
Hmmm. I would have thought the second clause would have said, “writing has improved.” Not that learning, by practice and feedback, how to write effective emails is the same as learning how to write effective essays. Nor that school teachers know how to teach writing, either.
Although, to quote the article again, “In 2011, a nationwide test found that only 24 percent of students in eighth and 12th grades were proficient in writing, and just 3 percent were advanced.” Now, “proficient” and “advanced” are not well defined, and nationwide testing is in no small part political, but 29% and 7% would be reasonable figures for grading on the curve. So, given the fuzziness of the terms, those stats are not an indictment of either the kids’ writing abilities nor of the ability of their teachers to teach writing.
The article seems to be pretty much another attack on school and teachers.