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Post by pinky on Oct 18, 2007 18:46:10 GMT -4
Ok, I'm going to be contrary here and say that the winner didn't do much for me--but neither does any cat. I don't think cats are cute--sorry! I get along with them, will pet and play with them, etc., but I would never own one.
I await the arrows. . .
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Post by pinky on Oct 24, 2007 0:34:12 GMT -4
Katie says she is located in Wild Space, so naturally she was seen by that earth-dwelling cat as an invader! ;D
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Post by pinky on Oct 4, 2007 23:27:00 GMT -4
If it was much much better. I would want to take a ride on the it! weee But could you? The two halves would want to go in opposite directions! ;D
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Post by pinky on Oct 9, 2007 23:22:09 GMT -4
Pigeon feces are very acidic. I guess parrot feces are less so.
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Post by pinky on Oct 9, 2007 20:00:48 GMT -4
The chemist liked this excerpt from Wikipedia! <In addition they have found a home within Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York after an accidental release decades ago[5]. While the grounds crew initially tried to destroy the unsightly nests at the entrance gate, they no longer do so, because the presence of the parrots has reduced the number of pigeons nesting within it. The management's decision was based on a comparative chemical analysis of pigeon feces (which destroy brownstone structures) and Monk Parakeet feces (which have no ill effect). Oddly then, the Monk Parakeets are in effect preserving this historic structure.>
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Post by pinky on Sept 30, 2007 19:44:56 GMT -4
we're just getting the "low-down" on it. (or is it load-down? Dang) You had it right the first time! Low-down!
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Post by pinky on Sept 29, 2007 13:23:24 GMT -4
I wonder if that reporter was a science writer. . . . yes, the clarity left something to be desired.
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Post by pinky on Sept 28, 2007 18:26:07 GMT -4
>> The transparent frogs can also reproduce, with their offspring inheriting their parents' traits, but their grandchildren die shortly after birth. "As they have two sets of recessive genes, something wrong must kick in and kill them," Sumida said. While the researchers relied on artificial insemination, they said that genetic engineering could also produce transparent and even illuminating frogs. Sumida said researchers could also inject into the transparent frogs an illuminating protein attached to a gene, which would light up the gene once it manifests -- for example, showing at what stage cancer starts. << So they are breeding genetically engineered frogs that will die soon after being born? Do they reach tadpole stage? I am not clear on this. Whatever it is it seems better than dissection of normal frogs: It's not that easy being green; Having to spend each day the color of the leaves. When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold... or something much more colorful like that. It's not easy being green. It seems you blend in with so many other ord'nary things. And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water or stars in the sky. But green's the color of Spring. And green can be cool and friendly-like. And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree. When green is all there is to be It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why? Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful! And I think it's what I want to be. I read it that if the transparent frogs that were initially created mated, the first generation would be similar, but that it was the second generation that died quickly. I didn't get the impression that the original transparent frogs had short lives. And what is "birth" when you are a frog? You are not ever "born"!
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Post by pinky on Sept 27, 2007 22:36:22 GMT -4
Interesting! I can see avoiding dissection at the grade- or high-school level, or in intro to biology courses in college, but when it comes to upper-level college biology classes the training needs to be hands-on. Simulations only do so much for you.
As for the frogs, the breeding of these mutants seems to be ok. What you're probably uncomfortable with, Katie, is the genetic engineering part. But like it or not, genetic engineering is everywhere. If you ate corn chips today, you ate a genetically engineered crop. And the list goes on.
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Post by pinky on Sept 11, 2007 23:13:41 GMT -4
I knew about him. Amazing. But he died too young.
So why do the two sources quote his last words differently? The NYTimes prints them as the first source does.
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Post by pinky on Sept 1, 2007 23:07:58 GMT -4
That's just amazing. In the NYTimes article it mentioned those who are repulsed by the sight and those fascinated by it. I'd be in the latter camp, but DF, you don't like spiders, right?
The article says that the web makes noise because of all the insects trapped in it.
I hope no one goes in and wrecks it now that it's getting all this publicity.
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Post by pinky on Aug 18, 2007 18:57:21 GMT -4
Better--thanks.
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Post by pinky on Aug 18, 2007 18:12:38 GMT -4
Were we supposed to read the article from the photo? My eyes can't do it!
What a tragedy. Idiot people.
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Post by pinky on Aug 18, 2007 18:16:53 GMT -4
This is so cool!
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Post by pinky on Jul 25, 2007 23:50:03 GMT -4
Drat, DF--had I known that that was on I would have watched it tonight!! You were supposed to tell the bird nut about this! ;D
But it is on again Sunday at 2--I will try to catch it then.
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