Do dogs possess a poop compass? (And other weird science questions)

Posted on by

Cosmic Log

Alan Boyle, Science Editor NBC News

18 hours ago

Jenny Ricken / Univ. of Duisberg-Essen via AFP - Getty Images

One of the dogs participating in a study of the canine "inner compass" does its business in Mlheim an der Ruhr (City on the River) in Germany. Researchers found that dogs seem to prefer to align themselves with magnetic field lines when they defecate.

Does an internal compass dictate how dogs line up when they defecate? How do you figure that out? And why would you want to?

Such are the questions you get into when addressing the weirdest subjects of scientific research.

"If something's not familiar to you, it's going to seem weird. But a big part of a scientist's job is to study and make sense of what's not familiar. They focus your attention on it, and you think, 'Whoa, that's really interesting!' At that moment, 'weird' and 'interesting' are exactly the same thing," said Marc Abrahams, who collects weird science as the editor of the Annals of Improbable Research and the impresario behind the annual Ig Nobel Prizes.

Abrahams is due to discuss the philosophy behind science that makes you laugh, and then makes you think, during Fridays edition of "Virtually Speaking Science." The hourlong talk show, hosted by yours truly, airs at 8 p.m. ET Friday on BlogTalkRadio and in the Second Life virtual world.

This show celebrates the Ig Nobels and our own Weird Science Awards, plus the latest in offbeat research such as that study on doo-doo directionality. The paper, published online in a peer-reviewed journal titled Frontiers in Zoology, was featured this week on Abrahams' website, Improbable.com. It could end up as a future Ig Nobel and Weirdie winner.

See original here:
Do dogs possess a poop compass? (And other weird science questions)

Red Devils can’t stop lowly Clippers

Posted on by

If its possible to compare basketball to weather, then the Lower Columbia College Red Devils have hit a major storm.

LCC played 40 minutes of drizzly basketball Thursday against South Puget Sound, which resulted in a 65-59 setback to the Clippers in NWAACC Western Division mens basketball on Ted M. Natt Court at Mark Morris.

The loss, the sixth straight setback for the Devils, dropped them to 2-8, 0-1 in league play. The Clippers, who had dropped their last 18 games going back to last season, are now 1-8.

Our team is like crazy weather, LCC coach Jim Roffler said. The sun shines for five minutes, then the clouds come out and its a storm for the next 10 minutes. I can see when the clouds are coming in, but we dont even have enough time to get the lawn furniture in.

The Clippers, who suited six players, trailed 12-7 in the initial eight minutes before scoring 13 unanswered points to grab a 20-12 advantage with 7:30 left. During the Clippers run encompassing six minutes, the Devils missed five shots, two free throws and had five turnovers which were converted into seven of the Clippers points.

We made a lot of bad decisions and fundamental mistakes which kept five guys from working as a unit, Roffler said. Well be a lot tougher and more of a unit and a family if we can get the guys to admit to themselves and their teammates they have a ways to go and quit making excuses.

South Puget Sound, which made 46 percent of its shots in the first half (12-26), rolled to a 29-21 lead at the break.

Rofflers lineups have been a makeshift work in progress all season. Point guard Wayne Tucker is back after missing most of the preseason with a broken foot, but now the Devils are without post players Christian Parrott and JeQuan Knight because of broken hands.

Weve never been a full strength, and it seems like every game we have someone getting back into the mix, Roffler said. How good can you be when youre not clicking on all cylinders.

In the absence of Parrott and Knight, Jeremy Burright stepped into the post and earned praise from Roffler. Burright, who netted two points in the first half, netted 17 in the final 20 minutes to pace the Devils with 19.

Go here to see the original:

Red Devils can’t stop lowly Clippers

Jupiter Will Be at Opposition During January 2014 | NASA JPL Space Science HD – Video

Posted on by


Jupiter Will Be at Opposition During January 2014 | NASA JPL Space Science HD
Coconut Science Lab: http://www.coconutsciencelab.com January features Jupiter at opposition, and Venus at conjunction. The Quadrantid meteor shower will put...

By: CoconutScienceLab

Follow this link:

Jupiter Will Be at Opposition During January 2014 | NASA JPL Space Science HD - Video

NASA on Beyonce’s Challenger Sample: Tragedy ‘Should Never Be Trivialized’

Posted on by

NASA has officially responded to Beyonce's use of audio from the space shuttle Challenger explosion in her new song "XO," saying that the tragedy "should never be trivialized."

"The Challenger accident is an important part of our history, a tragic reminder that space exploration is risky and should never be trivialized," NASA said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. "NASA works every day to honor the legacy of our fallen astronauts as we carry out our mission to reach for new heights and explore the universe."

Beyonce has been criticized by former NASA employees, astronauts and their family members for using a six-second clip of a NASA public affairs officer commenting on the tragedy as it was unfolding.

The Challenger space shuttle exploded shortly after liftoff in 1986, and all seven crewmembers aboard were killed.

Beyonce's Use of Challenger Disaster Audio Angers Astronauts

Current and former NASA astronauts, employees and Challenger family members called Beyonce's choice to use audio from the tragedy at the beginning of a track about a troubled relationship "insensitive."

June Scobee Rodgers, the widow of Challenger space shuttle commander Dick Scobee, told ABC News: "We were disappointed to learn that an audio clip from the day we lost our heroic Challenger crew was used in the song 'XO.' The moment included in this song is an emotionally difficult one for the Challenger families, colleagues and friends. We have always chosen to focus not on how our loved ones were lost, but rather on how they lived and how their legacy lives on today."

Former NASA employee Keith Cowing added: "This choice of historic and solemn audio is inappropriate in the extreme. The choice is little different than taking Walter Cronkite's words to viewers announcing the death of President Kennedy or 911 calls from the World Trade Center attack and using them for shock value in a pop tune."

Cowing, who now runs NASAWatch.com, also told ABC that he wants Beyonce to remove the clip and apologize to families of the Challenger crew.

In a statement released to ABC News, Beyonce expressed her sympathies for the families of those who died in the Challenger disaster and indicated she didn't mean any offense by using the audio.

Read more:

NASA on Beyonce's Challenger Sample: Tragedy 'Should Never Be Trivialized'

Need for Intelligent Packaging Solutions to Drive Demand for Nanotechnology in Packaging, According to a New Trend …

Posted on by

San Jose, California (PRWEB) January 03, 2014

Follow us on LinkedIn Nanotechnology is emerging as a promising technology in the packaging industry, especially in the field of food packaging and food safety. Growing concerns over food safety issues and increased manufacturer focus on improving the shelf life of packaged foods is creating increased interest in the use of nanotechnology in food packaging. The market in the coming years is expected to benefit from the development of nano-coatings, surface biocides, bio-plastics, intelligent packaging nano-sensors, and carbon nanofibers, among others. Key benefits of nanotechnology based packaging solutions include lower product weight, superior heat and moisture resistance, longer shelf life, product traceability/tracking/monitoring, and continuous monitoring of product quality, freshness and wellness through the use of nanosensors.

The trend report titled Nanotechnology in Packaging announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., is a focused research paper which provides cursory insights into the technology, its evolution, applications, future prospects, and corporate initiatives of key companies worldwide. The report in addition provides global market estimates and projections for Nanotechnology in Food & Beverage Packaging and Pharmaceutical Packaging in US dollars for years 2012 through 2017. A part of GIAs new series of short research briefs on emerging technologies, the report also offers coverage on key companies such as Amcor Ltd., Danaflex- Nano, Optocap Ltd., RUSNANO Group, and Tetra Pak International SA.

For more details about this trend report, please visit http://www.strategyr.com/TrendReport.asp?code=146072.

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a leading publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company currently employs over 800 people worldwide. Annually, GIA publishes more than 1300 full-scale research reports and analyzes 40,000+ market and technology trends while monitoring more than 126,000 Companies worldwide. Serving over 9500 clients in 27 countries, GIA is recognized today, as one of the world's largest and reputed market research firms.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Telephone: 408-528-9966 Fax: 408-528-9977 Email: press(at)StrategyR(dot)com Web Site: http://www.StrategyR.com/

###

Go here to see the original:

Need for Intelligent Packaging Solutions to Drive Demand for Nanotechnology in Packaging, According to a New Trend ...

Prince George’s County home sales

Posted on by

Prince Georges County

These sales data recorded by the Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation were provided by Lender Processing Services. For information about other residential real estate transactions, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/homesales.

ACCOKEEK AREA

Madrillon Way, 17116-Summerwood Corp. and US Home Corp. to Todd Minor Sr., $379,990.

ADELPHI AREA

Buck Lodge Rd., 2525-Deutsche Bank and American Home Mortgage Investment Trust to Jun Yan, $172,969.

Metzerott Rd., 1824, No. 105-Edward V. Barrett to Heather A. Byer and Don A. George, $50,100.

Notre Dame St., 3408-Jeffrey A. Pinder to Feng Chen and Meizhi Wang, $296,500.

Rambler Dr., 8304-Shirley M. Brinsfield to Hua and Zhouding Yan, $300,000.

Towhee Ave., 10107-Susan W. Goldsmith and Blanche S. White Trust to David Scott Blackmon, $125,000.

Here is the original post:

Prince George’s County home sales

Eritrea TV – 56 Medical Doctors graduate from Orotta School of Medicine – Video

Posted on by


Eritrea TV - 56 Medical Doctors graduate from Orotta School of Medicine
http://www.eritrea-tv.net - Eritrean Tigrinya News - 28 December 2013: A total of 56 Medical Doctors who have been pursuing their studies in Orotta School of...

By: Eritrean Television by Eri-TV News

Visit link:

Eritrea TV - 56 Medical Doctors graduate from Orotta School of Medicine - Video

The Second International Symposium on the Physics and Medicine of the Atmosphere And Space (1958) – Video

Posted on by


The Second International Symposium on the Physics and Medicine of the Atmosphere And Space (1958)
Program of Aero/Space Medicine Symposium, San Antonio, Nov. 10-12 "High Energy Radiations at Rocket and Satellite Altitudes"--DR. JAMESA. VAN ALLEN, Profess...

By: AIRBOYD

See more here:

The Second International Symposium on the Physics and Medicine of the Atmosphere And Space (1958) - Video