19 January, 2012 – This Week in Science

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Serial Killer Math, Permafrost Problems, Happy Meals?, Snake Senses, Creepy Cold Fingers, Interview W/ Eugenie Scott From NCSE, And Much More…

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This week in science… coming up next…

The math of a serial killer
UCLA scientists have analyzed the behavior of a serial killer in the Ukraine – they believe that a pattern in neuron firing influenced the timing of his murders. When new serial killers are discovered, can we predict when they will murder again?

Permafrost Problems
Carbon Dioxide and Methane were found trapped in permafrost – as the polar ice caps melt, more greenhouse gasses will be released into the atmosphere.

happy meals

Blair’s Animal House
Two stories this week about animals! Energy Conservation tactics within extreme feeding adaptations in:
Snakes
Snakes can sense their prey’s heartbeat, so they can acquire their food with as little strength and time of constriction as possible.
And Aye-Ayes
Aye-Ayes can restrict blood flow to those creepy extra-long middle fingers when not in use, so as to reduce heat loss through the large surface area of the digit.

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Are you reading along with the TWIS Bookclub? This month, check out ‘Fool Me Twice’ by Shawn Lawrence Otto.

Interview with Eugenie C. Scott, Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education
NCSE tackles Climate Change
NCSE is known for its defense of evolution-inclusive science curricula, but recently announced that they are expanding their assistance to cover climate change. NCSE hired some climate scientists to help them in their quest to spread “good science,” and they hope to bring scientific literacy to youth in the US. Unfortunately, there are people who would like to push forward bills that would prohibit or inhibit the instruction of climate change in schools. Science alone cannot stop climate change, so we need more people to believe and understand the issue in order for them to help initiate change. Best of luck to NCSE!

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I'm the host of this little science show.