A Birthday Wish
On Sunday, I celebrated my 27 th birthday. But today is an even more special birthday: today, the entire Scientific American Blog Network celebrates its first birthday.
Stories by Christie Wilcox
Toxoplasma's Dark Side: The Link Between Parasite and Suicide
We human beings are very attached to our brains. We're proud of them - of their size and their complexity. We think our brains set us apart, make us special.
Social Media for Scientists Part 6: The Wiki
I just returned from a wonderful week in Washington DC, where I gave workshops on social networking to scientists at the Fourth Biennial National IDeA Symposium of Biomedical Research Excellence (NISBRE)...
Prettier tits (the bird!) get more help from their partners
After a long, cold winter, nothing says spring like the hopeful songs and dances of horny male birds looking for mates. Throughout Europe and western Asia, the blue tit is one of the most colorful birds to engage in this annual hormone-driven spectacle...
Mythbusting 101: bulking up with bull shark testosterone
This week, the startling image of a 1,000 pound bull shark has been circulating the internets. But what really caught my eye was the quote from the lead researcher, Neil Hammerschlag.
AI Takes Baby Steps: RoboBaby Learns Words
In 1998, a strange fad swept the nation. Standing a mere 5 inches tall, the gremlin-esque talking robots known as furbies became the season's must-have toys for kids (much to Hasbro's delight)...
Using cannabinoids to overcome fear in the brain
We all know exactly what fear feels like. Without our consent, our hearts begin to beat a little faster. The hairs on the back of our neck prickle. Our palms sweat through clenched fingers...
Time to Vote!
Nominations are over, and two of my posts are in the running, included among an impressive list of science blogs. Go peruse the nominees, get a feel for your favorites, then GO VOTE.
Parasitic flower pirates genes from its host
Rafflesia cantleyi , perhaps better known as the corpse flower for its pungent scent, steals everything from its host. Though each blossom can be in excess of three feet across, the massive buds cannot support themselves, and have no leaves, stalks or true roots...
The 3 Quarks Daily Science Blogging Prize Is Back!
Every year, the amazing crew over at 3 Quarks Daily offers a prize for great science writing online judged by an esteemed scientific mind. This year, the judge is Sean Carroll - previous 3QD winner, incredible science blogger, practicing scientist, and the author of great science books like From Eternity to Here ...
The Nose Knows: Telling Age Based On Scent
Our sense of smell is often overlooked. After all, our 20 million smell receptors pale in comparison to the 220 million found in the noses of man's best friends.
HIMB on the Radio
I'm a big fan of scientists talking to the community about their research, so of course, I'm an even bigger fan of scientists I work with reaching out.
Social Media For Scientists Part 5: It's Time To e-Volve
If you follow this blog closely, you know I have a strong opinion on the use of new media platforms for science communication. Well, in the most recent Biological Bulletin, I delve into exactly why I feel scientists need to take charge and embrace these tools...
Conservation is important - for the sake of our health
Growing up, I was one of those lucky kids who wasn't allergic to anything. I felt like I was invincible - while my friends were pestered by pollen or peanuts, I was able to eat and play with reckless abandon...
Playing in Tide Pools | Scientist in vivo
Here at Science Sushi, I often talk about the great work being done by other scientists, but I rarely turn the focus around and talk about my life as a scientist.
Parasite Insights: Using Lice to Map Socialization
Parasites give clues to lemurs' social lives
Mounting Evidence Suggests Sharks Are In Serious Trouble
Can you imagine oceans without sharks? We may soon have to, as new research suggests may already be 90% of the way there. Studying shark populations can be tricky.
Reflections On The Gulf Oil Spill: Conversations With My Grandpa | Observations
Two years ago, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil platform led to the spilling of almost five million barrels of oil in just a handful of months.
Reversing a heart attack: scientists reprogram scar tissue into working muscle
Cardiovascular disease is the world's leading cause of death. Approximately every 25 seconds, an American has a heart attack. One of the vessels to the heart gets blocked, cutting off blood flow to part of the heart...
Parasite Insights: Using Lice To Map Socialization
Weighing in at only 40 grams, brown mouse lemurs are one of the smallest species of primate in the world. Their diminutive size as well as their nocturnal, tree-dwelling lifestyle makes them difficult to track and observe...
