"Arizona's earliest residents grew teparies for thousands of years, but in recent history, the beans were at risk of shriveling into obscurity." A story about why biodiversity is important without actually saying biodiversity.
"Our findings indicate that e-cigarettes are a potential source of exposure to toxic metals (Cr, Ni, and Pb), and to metals that are toxic when inhaled (Mn and Zn). Markedly higher concentrations in the aerosol and tank samples versus the dispenser demonstrate that coil contact induced e-liquid contamination." No, vaping isn't more healthy for you.
"Cybercrime is expanding beyond computers and cellphones. Cars, washers and dryers, and even toasters are going online — an evolution of technology called the Internet of things… Samy Kamkar, a felon who knows how to hack these things, may be the best person to help us understand all the possibilities for crime as we move toward a fully connected world." Which is why I try to avoid buying "connected" devices that really don't need to be connected.
"Tens of thousands of years ago, the first artists painted images on the walls of caves. They collected, painted and ground holes in shells, presumably to wear. It was the very first art, created by what we call 'modern humans,' or Homo sapiens… Except, it turns out that some of that cave art may have been created by Neanderthals — our ancient and, by evolutionary standards, failed cousins. At least, that's what a team of scientists is now claiming." Turns out Neanderthals weren't so brutish after all. Paintings, jewelry, game pieces, hunting technology, advanced stone tool making, and evidence of funerary practices have all come to light in the past 10 years.
"On the afternoon of Feb. 20, detectives investigated a report of terroristic threats at the school, where they learned that a student had been completing a math problem that required drawing the square-root sign… Authorities also wrote there was no evidence the student had any intent to commit harm… 'The student used extremely poor judgment in making the comment, but in light of the actual circumstances, there was clearly no evidence to support criminal charges,' the (Police) department wrote, adding that the school board had been contacted to determine any disciplinary action for the student." So a big ado about nothing, but hey, let's discipline the kid anyway. (Grokked from Kelly Link)
"When the Trump administration released its latest budget proposal on Feb. 11, fans of human space exploration were dismayed to learn that it included plans to end America’s involvement in the International Space Station." Remember when people were all happy about Trump's plan to expand human exploration and go back to the Moon? Yeah, would you like tires with that used car?
"An extremely rare cardinal has birders and biologists flocking to Shelby County, Alabama this week, as images of a yellow cardinal have circulated around social media." Keeps from making "canary in a coal mine" joke. "'Songbirds like cardinals almost never consume red pigments; rather they consume abundant yellow pigments,' Hill said. 'So, to be red, cardinals have to biochemically convert yellow pigments to red.'" The world is weirder than you thought (oh, and venous blood isn't blue, that's from the light refraction of your skin). (Grokked from John)
"The only armed sheriff’s deputy at a Florida high school where 17 people were killed took cover outside rather than charging into the building when the massacre began, the Broward County sheriff said on Thursday. The sheriff also acknowledged that his office received 23 calls related to the suspect going back a decade, including one last year that said he was collecting knives and guns, but may not have adequately followed up." Because taking cover is an appropriate response. Also, you'd probably be surprised by how many "tips" law enforcement receives on a number of issues. As the saying goes, for prevention of terrorism the government needs to be lucky every single time, the terrorist only needs to be lucky once.
"State legislators in Florida came together on Wednesday — the same day student activists gathered outside the House chamber in Tallahassee to demand stricter gun laws, one week after the school massacre in Parkland — to pass a measure related to schools, but not guns. HB 839 would require every public school in Florida to display 'in a conspicuous place' the state motto, 'In God We Trust.'" I'm sure that will help. Next up, kevlar-vests are too expensive I suggest we give police officers "spiritual armor." That should work just as well. Also pointed to demonstrate that while one party seems to have a lock on stupidity, it's not a complete cornering of the market and there is idiocy on both sides. "'Daniels said she had a vision earlier in the week, "I believe it was God, and I heard a voice say, "Do not politicize what has happened in Florida and do not make this a thing of division."'" I'm sure God would have something different to say about children being killed. Are you sure you weren't on the phone to the NRA, Rep. Daniels? (Grokked from Laura J. Mixon)
Tweet of my heart: @MrFilmkritik You know, when I said I wanted the real world to be more like Harry Potter I just meant the teleportation and the magic stuff, not the entire plot of book 5 where the government refuses to do anything about a deadly threat so the teenagers have to rise up and fight back. (Grokked from Mary Robinette Kowal)
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