Great News, 09 Jan 2011

Here is the official Great News episode #2 for 2011. Already a whole week of the new year has flown by and I am amazed at all of the great things that are happening.

1. Who doesn't love to see baby animals? Take a look at this pair Golden Lion Tamarin monkeys born at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on 27 December 2010: Zoo Babies.
2. A good friend gave me a gift that just keeps on giving for Christmas. I don't mean to brag - but I thought that I would share it with you too. I have a subscription to Scientific American! I have glanced over the website before, but here is a link to it just for you: Scientific American.
3. Score big for curiosity! Eight ten year olds at Blackawton School in Devon, UK conducted a study about how bees see colour and patterns. Their findings are published in the peer-reviewed Royal Society journal, Biology Letters. BlackawtonBees.

And now you should go make some great news of your own. Do it. 

Great News, 01 Jan 2011

My apologies for the long delay since my last installment of Great News. It's not for a lack of Great News, it's just been a busy season in our household, and now that the boy is walking - well things are even busier. Here goes the first Great News of 2011:

1. This probably isn't new News for people in the area, but for the rest of the world what could be better than a burger off the periodic table? The Miracle Of Science Bar + Grill in Cambridge, MA serves it all up geek-chic: Miracle of Science Bar + Grill.
2. Well, leave it to the microorganisms... how cool is this? Rock paintings in Australia are still colourful works of art not because of the paint the ancient artists used, but because of a black fungus and possibly a red-pigment producing bacteria: Ancient Rock Paint BBC News.
3. The top ten finalists for the illusion of the year award 2010 were announced, and the winner is - well take a look for yourself and while you are at it take a look at the other 9 finalists: Illusion Contest 2010.

Well, that's all I've got for this episode. As a friend pointed out today's date is 11-01-01, which is pretty cool and hopefully marks the beginning of a fantastic year for you. 

Great News, 05 November 2010

Where does a whole week go? I swear when I got to my desk this morning that it was Wednesday. Now that I am back from our traditional Friday lunch, I have realized that I am a couple days short of a week. Here is great some news for the week:

1. So, this isn't exactly Great News, but the final mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery has been postponed until November 30th (the launch was delayed because of a leak in the hydrogen tank). This mission will be taking the Robonaut 2 into orbit:  http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/discovery_final_flight.html
2. Is it even possible? In an article published this week in Nature, scientists at Laval University have discovered that they can immunize bacteria, essentially preventing them from building resistance to antibiotics: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/11/05/antibiotic-resistance-bacteria.html
3. Using a new drug-engineering technology used at Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, researchers have developed a nanobioconjugate to treat a notoriously difficult form of brain cancer, Glioblastoma multiforme: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-11/cmc-ch110410.php.

Have a terrific weekend everyone, and as always - let me know what's on your mind. 

Great news, 24 September 2010

I have to admit that this was a bit of a slow week for me, but here is some great news to take with you into the weekend:

1. Scientists have located the off switch in our brains (for sleep that is), this is great news for insomniacs and it all comes down to ATP: U.S. scientist finds the sleep switch in our brain.
2. Todd Reichert from the University of Toronto built a human-powered flying machine based on drawing from Leonardo daVinci; watch the video - it is cool: Human-powered flying machine makes history, says Toronto university.
3. And here is a video of baby seahorses that were born at the London Zoo's aquarium:  Short Sharp Science: What's not to love about baby seahorses?

Have a great weekend.

Friday, September 10, 2010

It's Friday and time for some Great News:

1. Move that body, baby. Seriously, and nod your head. Check out the videos, mostly because they made me giggle: These Dance Moves Are Irresistible - ScienceNOW
2. What did your mom always tell you? Well, turns out she was wrong. Kind of: Money can buy you happiness – up to a point - life - 07 September 2010 - New Scientist
3. Superbugs be gone: Locust brains could thwart superbug plagues - health - 06 September 2010 - New Scientist

Happy Friday everyone!

Great News, 03 September 2010

...and now for some great news. 

1. Chris Hadfield was assigned to an expedition to the International Space Station, and will be the first Canadian to command a spaceship when he becomes Commander of the International Space Station in March 2013.
2. Muscles remember! After my hiatus from the gym, it won't take long for this old body to get back into it's pre... well - pre-everything shape. 
3. Oh Canada! Leave it to us to even think of trying to build a car from cannabis. I am sure that you can use that plant for something else... 

Yay, I love Fridays.