Sunspots 282

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to someone else:

Science: Wired reports on a fossil penguin, which stood about 5 feet (1.6 meters) in height. I was surprised to find out that there is evidence of the color of the feathers, and at least some of the bird's feathers were red.

Wired also reports on experiments in group behavior. Groups that did better on the tests administered did not have the most intelligent individuals, but the most socially aware individuals -- and women are more socially aware than men.

National Public Radio has a conversation with a behavioral scientist who has studied how we interact with dentists. It turns out that, the more we trust our dentists, the more they are likely to administer expensive, or unnecessary, treatments.

Image source (public domain)

Sunspots 181

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to someone else:

Science:
Wired has a report on virgin birth (really!) in sharks.

Also from Wired: an ecosystem consisting of a single species.

A man who has had a new hand transplanted onto his arm has some feeling in it!

This is really about science -- psychology, to be exact -- not politics: Slate on why Senator McCain got booed at his own rally, for saying that Senator Obama was a decent person who disagreed with him.

Politics:
Jan has written a few haiku, describing the nationally televised political debates, and invites readers to add their own.

Computing:
A Reasonable Imagination says that the use of hyperlinks can contribute to stupidity. The post is here. Sorry!

Christianity:
He Lives on the significance of the Tree of Life.

Image source (public domain)