I *Really* Love Science!

[Arragonis]

I mentioned this in the Minimal computing thread - the Raspberry pi in space by kids

BBC: Cracking the Code | Raspberry Pi

(you may also need a proxy too)

And a girl (13) who has programmed one and done a TED style presentation.

EDIT - Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...v=a35XINnYFtA#!

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi folks,

I found these articles just today on the Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes:

German researchers publish full Neanderthal genome

Entire genome of extinct human decoded from fossil

DNA scan sheds new light on mankind's mysterious cousins (Update)

Fossil finger bone yields genome of a previously unknown human relative (w/ Video)

Complex picture of evolution In the light of the Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes, a new, more complex picture is emerging of the evolutionary history of modern humans and our extinct relatives. According to Green, there was probably an ancestral group that left Africa between 300,000 and 400,000 years ago and quickly diverged, with one branch becoming the Neanderthals who spread into Europe and the other branch moving east and becoming Denisovans. When modern humans left Africa about 70,000 to 80,000 years ago, they first encountered the Neanderthals, an interaction that left traces of Neanderthal DNA scattered through the genomes of all non-Africans. One group of humans later came in contact with Denisovans, leaving traces of Denisovan DNA in the genomes of humans who settled in Melanesia.

Read more at: Fossil finger bone yields genome of a previously unknown human relative (w/ Video)

So, some more information will be available on both genomes.

Science is so cool!

[NeilBlanchard]

You can watch the latest NOVA a learn more about the latest meteor to hit the earth:

Video: Meteor Strike | Watch NOVA Online | PBS Video

I think we need to invest in the infrared sensing satellite to look for these smaller and medium sized meteors, as well as the really huge ones that we can see fairly well already.

[Arragonis]

BBC did this on 7th March

BBC iPlayer - Horizon: 2013-2014: The Truth About Meteors: A Horizon Special

Ah well, nice to see NOVA keeping up. We (BBC science watchers) are already looking for the next one, and not seeing any have decided to look more at Pompei.

A Junior is going there with his school next year, if we can afford it...

[Arragonis]

Double post - (Sir) Terry Pratchett looks at the extinction of some animals

BBC iPlayer - Terry Pratchett: Facing Extinction

Author Sir Terry Pratchett finds out what the future holds for orangutans, and discovers a new threat to their habitat that could push them to the brink of extinction.

A superb program for nature lovers, if you can get a proxy go for it.

[NeilBlanchard]

This is not for the squeamish - but you will be surprised with the elegance of design that evolution as wrought:

Video: Camel | Watch Inside Nature's Giants Online | PBS Video

[Arragonis]

BBC Radio is doing a series called Medical Detectives - doctors trying to work out how and why people get sick.

BBC iPlayer - The Medical Detectives: Death in the Parish

EDIT - I meant to add, these are historical plays about how doctors and scientists worked out how illness happened.

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's a brilliant young scientist:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROW9F...layer_embedded

[NeilBlanchard]

Who built the first computer?

Video: Ancient Computer | Watch NOVA Online | PBS Video

The ancient Greeks...

[NeilBlanchard]

If you watch the NOVA program I linked to above, I think you will be blown away.

Incredible stuff. Truly.