Octopi Wall Street

This goes out to one of my favorite science teachers, Laurie C.:

Found via Charles B. Thanks Charles!

The Search For The Cure For AIDS: Glowing Green Cats Edition

Scientists, tirelessly continuing the search for a cure for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, have come up with an inventive new method for tracking HIV resistance in monkey species: by genetically engineering cats to include resistant genes.  The cool factor?  They have included bio luminescent genes from jellyfish to easily identify the newly resistant cells.  The result?  Cats that glow green:

The study, published Sunday in the journal Nature Methods, involved inserting monkey genes that block the virus into feline eggs, or oocytes, before they are fertilized. 

The scientists also inserted jellyfish genes that make the modified cells glow an eerie green color — making the altered genes easy to spot. 

Tests on cells taken from the cats show they are resistant to feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, which causes AIDS in cats. 

"This provides the unprecedented capability to study the effects of giving AIDS-protection genes into an AIDS-vulnerable animal," Dr. Eric Poeschla of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who led the study, said in a telephone interview.

I'm a big cat person, so I think it's rad that my kitty friends are helping to cure my disease (yes, I said kitty friends.  I'm that bad).  Plus?  I want a mutant green cat, RIGHT THE HELL NOW.

Thanks to reader Houston C. for the tip.

This Is How The World Ends

So, there's this thing?  It's called a chatbot.  It's a robot that will talk to you if you're lonely.  Great, right?

 "I am not a robot, I am a unicorn." "Sure dude, whatever.  Want to go waste some humans?"

Well, some scientists hooked up a chatbot to another chatbot to see what they would say to each other.  A discussion about unicorns and God ensues (remind anyone of BSG?) and then when one suggests attaining a body (presumably to murder her human masters) the conversation closes in a hurry (so that they could email their nefarious plans to murder their human masters to each other in private).  Watch the whole creepy exchange here:

Super Cute Birds Illustrate Reproduction Isn't Necessary To Mating

One of the biggest arguments anti-gay organizations and politicians make when trying to whip up some haterade on LGBTs is that BUTTSECKS DOESN'T MAKE CHIRREN!  Which, of course, is clear evidence that gays are unnatural, evil, etc.

Yet another scientific study, however, has illustrated that nature doesn't necessarily mate for reproduction, with uber cute zebra finches showing that same-sex pairings are still desirable, even when opposite-sex pairings are available.

First, she and her colleagues, Clementine Vignal and Nicolas Mathevon from the University of Saint-Etienne, raised young finches in same-sex groups. More than half of the birds paired up with another bird of the same sex. 

The team then closely monitored the birds for signs that they had bonded fully.
Bonded birds, Dr Elie explained, perch side by side, nestled together. They also greet each other by "nuzzling" beaks. 

In the next stage of their study, the scientists brought novel females to a group of bonded male-male pairs. Out of eight males that were engaged in same-sex pair-bonds, five ignored the females completely and continued to interact with their male partner. 

The findings indicate that, even in birds, the drive to find a mate is far more complicated than simply the need to reproduce.

So there.  Also, aren't Zebra Finches cuddling adorable?!

APA Endorses Marriage Equality

The American Psychological Association took a strong stance on LGBT marriage on the eve of its largest convention last night, with its policymaking body passing a resolution 157-0 urging legislators to give marriage equality to all Americans.

The APA is the world's largest body of psychologists, with more than 154,000 members, and the resolution is being hailed as having a far-reaching impact on the marriage equality debate.

"'Now as the country has really begun to have experience with gay marriage, our position is much clearer and more straightforward — that marriage equity is the policy that the country should be moving toward,' says Clinton Anderson, director of APA's Office on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns.

"The resolution points to numerous recent studies, including findings that 'many gay men and lesbians, like their heterosexual counterparts, desire to form stable, long-lasting, and committed intimate relationships and are successful in doing so.'"

This is their strongest statement to date, and is a huge indicator of the value of marriage equality in the overall psychological health of all Americans.  This is the true scientific work in the topic, as opposed to the schlock and misinformation spread by NOM, Tom Minnery, and their ilk.  

South Africa: AIDS Conspiracy Theorists Less Likely To Use Condoms

It's sad that South Africa, a country ravaged by HIV/AIDS, still has these kinds of misconceptions floating around.

A recent study done suggests that people who adhere to conspiracy theories about HIV-- that it was created by scientists, for example-- are half as likely to use condoms.  Even more disturbing is a trend among young, black South Africans to believe this sort of rot.  Respondents in the 20-29 range were 8 to 10 times more likely to believe an HIV conspiracy theory than others.

From Plus News:

"Among black respondents, 20 percent believed that HIV was man-made and created by scientists as an attack on people of African descent, according to a University of Cape Town (UCT) study.

"New research by Nicoli Nattrass, director of the AIDS and Society Research Unit at UCT, also found that AIDS conspiracy believers are 50 percent less likely to report having used a condom the last time they had sex than non-believers. Respondents with traditional values, and those who had lower socio-economic status but were not religious, were more likely to believe there was a conspiracy."

Even though we here at home consider ourselves far more educated, conspiracy theories about the virus abound in America as well, propagated by hate groups and white supremacists.  The very idea that God uses HIV to punish sinners is a very popular one, and can lead to false and dangerous suppositions about the disease.  After all, if you don't believe you're a sinner, you can't get HIV, right?

The study's data seems to provide a solution, however: respondents who had heard of the Treatment Action Campaign (an HIV/AIDS issues-based lobbying group) were more educated and reported a higher rate of use of condoms.  The key here?  Education and talking about the issue.  Given the recent decline of HIV/AIDS in American political discussions, I worry that we're robbing a generation of youth (gay and straight) of the necessary tools to remain HIV-free.

Geek Shit Wednesday Vol. XIV

I've missed a couple weeks of GSW, but we're back, with all the super-special geekiness that you've come to love.

Video: Spiders Spin Webs In Zero G


I've always thought it would be neat to be in space, but I figure the vertigo from free-fall would cause me to barf everywhere, initiating a nonstop spewfest.  These spiders we shot into space, but instead of hurling all over they demonstrated how spiders require gravity in order to orient themselves for web building.

On Earth, these golden orb spiders, named Gladys and Esmerelda, would normally build circular webs.  However, on the International Space Station, seem confused and actually spin webs in an orb.

This video and the data gleaned will be used by students in the classroom in order to compare with the behaviors of Earth-bound arachnids.



Sega Brings BBC Earth To Life With Interactive Experience


Interactive exhibit spaces sponsored by Sega and featuring content provided by BBC Earth will be coming to the US and Japan within the next two years, as reported by Wired UK:

"The details of the 'experience' are somewhat vague, but we do know that it will take up 4,000 square metres of a multi-level space where visitors will be able to explore the natural world using their eyes, ears, hands and minds. 

"It will use content from BBC Earth's hit series -- including Planet Earth and The Blue Planet -- and technology from Sega's Facility Business. This is the division that builds large live entertainment concepts, including amusement arcades and theme parks such as Tokyo's Joypolis and Dubai's indoor theme park Sega Republic. The sorts of technologies that may be on show include interactive theatres, motion simulators and virtual reality environments. Visitors would pay an entry fee just as they would for an exhibition or amusement park."

Planet Earth and the Blue Planet are my two utmost favorite documentary series.  Congrats to Sega for signing onto BBC's exploration of Spaceship Earth.  While sources in both companies are being tight-lipped about the locations of both spaces, it might be worth the plane ticket to wherever it is.  

Photography: Summer Solstice 2011

While pagans and hippies were busy worshipping the sun yesterday for the summer solstice (yeah, I'm talking to you, Lux!), Gizmodo was busy collecting images of the sun on the longest day of the year.  Click on over to enjoy all 45.  

LGBT Employees Flourish Under Gay Friendly Management

A new study has come out purporting that not only do LGBT employees stick around for jobs that are gay-friendly, but they, in fact, flourish.

Why?  Because they can come out, which makes them feel more secure in their position.  Zack Ford at ThinkProgress found some fascinating numbers in the study, detailing that LGBT employees who are able to come out at work are incredibly valuable employees:

- DESIRABLE WORK FORCE: As a group, LGBT employees are the kind of workers employers should want:

- 71 percent are “ambitious.”
- 88 percent are “committed” and “willing to go the extra mile for employers.”
- 48 percent have graduate degrees (compared to 40 percent of their straight counterparts).

- CLOSET IS STIFLING: Of those in the closet:

- 52 percent feel stalled in their careers (compared to only 36 percent of those out).
- Only 48 percent feel satisfied with their rate of advancement (compared to 64 percent of those out). They are significantly less likely to achieve senior management positions.
- They are 73 percent more likely to say they’ll leave their companies within the next three years.
- They are 75 percent more likely to feel isolated at work; even moreso if they are men.
- They are more likely to perceive the work environment as hostile and 40 percent less likely to trust their employer.

- MONEY TO BE LOST: Studies show the LGBT community’s collective buying power in the U.S. is over $700 billion.

Not only is equality in the workplace an important progressive ideal, then, but just plain smart business.  So why, then, does the state of Tennessee (and many others) go to extra lengths to preserve Biblical principles in their business models?  It's not only a waste of personnel but also a waste of money.

OneAngryCultist: Weighing in on Stephen Hawking

In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking made some ripples in the news by announcing that, “a belief that heaven or an afterlife awaits us is a "fairy story" for people.” This, naturally, sent some cultists into an uproar and nearly flooded my Facebook feed with cross-postings for a few days. When approached by our very own Ian Awesome to weigh in on the matter, I was warned in no uncertain terms to “[not] knock him on the basis of being an atheist.” At the time, having not read the article myself, I couldn’t really see what the issue was with his statements and, to be perfectly honest, I still don’t. Now, I’m no stranger to poking at the more rabid fundamentalist atheists such as Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchins whose evangelicalism of the Truth ™ of Science borders on fanaticism however, looking at Hawking’s statement I can’t find much to fault him on other than falling into the same pit of literalism that many cultist of different denominations tend to fall. Additionally, the fundamental problem I have in this discussion is the insistence of an either/or dichotomy between science and religion as an explanation.

Personally, I love science and using the scientific method as a mode of critical inquiry. The problem with defining metaphysics and religion by the standards of science, however, is about as sloppy as using liquid measurements to calculate distance of one object to another – the two are descriptive of two entirely different sets of phenomena and one can’t use the standards of one to verify the other. That being said, I definitely think there’s a lot of room for them to complement our understanding of the phenomenological world. That being said, I did gain a new appreciation for Hawking in his comments on Science, Truth and Beauty:

What is the value in knowing "Why are we here?"

The universe is governed by science. But science tells us that we can't solve the equations, directly in the abstract. We need to use the effective theory of Darwinian natural selection of those societies most likely to survive. We assign them higher value.

You've said there is no reason to invoke God to light the blue touchpaper. Is our existence all down to luck?

Science predicts that many different kinds of universe will be spontaneously created out of nothing. It is a matter of chance which we are in.

So here we are. What should we do?

We should seek the greatest value of our action.

You had a health scare and spent time in hospital in 2009. What, if anything, do you fear about death?

I have lived with the prospect of an early death for the last 49 years. I'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first. I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.

What are the things you find most beautiful in science?

Science is beautiful when it makes simple explanations of phenomena or connections between different observations. Examples include the double helix in biology, and the fundamental equations of physics."

While I respectfully disagree with his “brain as computer” metaphor, I really don’t see much here being said from which the more religious couldn’t benefit, in particular seeking the greatest value of our actions which, much to his possible own dismay, really sums up the essence of what good theology is all about.

Geek Shit Wednesday Vol. X and 1/2

In keeping with the time honored tradition here on OAQ of keeping Wednesday geeky, I present the following highlights of this week and the week before (because someone forgot to update having been stunned by Princess Beatrice's head-wear)... but I digress:


#1: Star Wars Propaganda Posters

Whether allied with the Republic or fighting in the resistance, these posters reposted on Juxtapoz Magazine are certain to help keep you inspired as you're fighting for your freedom... or trying to take over the galaxy.








#2: Sugar Saves Methed Out Fruit-Flies (there's a joke in there somewhere)

In an article on MSNBC, SCIENCE claims fruit-flies who had recently consumed sugar experience a significant decrease in toxicity from methamphetamines:

Fruit flies on meth experience less drug toxicity if they've been snacking on a sugary diet, a new study finds.

But this isn't a spoonful-of-sugar-makes-the-meth-go-down situation: Methamphetamine still damages the fruit flies' systems, said study researcher Barry Pittendrigh, a toxicologist at the University of Illinois. Besides, it's not yet known whether sugar in humans would provide a similar protective response, Pittendrigh told LiveScience.

"We do know that people who are methamphetamine addicts oftentimes take in large amounts of sugary drinks, so that was an interesting observation," Pittendrigh said. "But whether or not these things turn out to be related is a question for future research."

Way to go science for giving us useful information while getting your jollies off on tweaking with mother nature.




#3: Obi-Wan Kenobi is Dead

It's with a heavy heart that I must report the passing of beloved (and reviled) Jedi Rebel Obi-Wan Kenobi. As reported in The Galactic Empire Times:

CORUSCANT — Obi-Wan Kenobi, the mastermind of some of the most devastating attacks on the Galactic Empire and the most hunted man in the galaxy, was killed in a firefight with Imperial forces near Alderaan, Darth Vader announced on Sunday. In a late-night appearance in the East Room of the Imperial Palace, Lord Vader declared that “justice has been done” as he disclosed that agents of the Imperial Army and stormtroopers of the 501st Legion had finally cornered Kenobi, one of the leaders of the Jedi rebellion, who had eluded the Empire for nearly two decades. Imperial officials said Kenobi resisted and was cut down by Lord Vader's own lightsaber. He was later dumped out of an airlock.

The news touched off an extraordinary outpouring of emotion as crowds gathered in the Senate District and outside the Imperial Palace, waving imperial flags, cheering, shouting, laughing and chanting, “Hail to the Emperor! Hail Lord Vader!” In the alien protection zone, crowds sang “The Ten Thousand Year Empire.” Throughout the Sah'c district, airspeeder drivers honked horns deep into the night.

Obi-Wan, may the Force be with you.


#4: Stan Lee May Be a Zombie

According to LA Times comic book GOD, Stan Lee, may be gnarwing on human flesh and shambling for brains in the upcoming "The Walking Dead" movie to be directed by Robert Kirkman:

"There may be some fun cameos for comics fans popping up in the second season," Kirkman tells the A.V. Club. "I don't wanna call these people out; it might annoy them. Honestly, Stan Lee asked to be a zombie on the show -- that's possible."

If this is true (and I seriously hope it is) then, for the first time in history will a zombie movie be type-cast.



Stan Lee, a living(?) human being

EDIT: So, evidently Ian beat me to the posting of Vol. 10 of Geek Shit Wednesday, therefore I present Geek Shit Wednesday Vol. X & 1/2

Idaho: Don't Be a Woman in This State. Just Don't.

Congratulations, Idaho!  You've proved yourself to be the dickbaggiest state when it comes to a woman's right to choose.

Planned Parenthood filed a complaint with the Idaho Board of Pharmacy alleging that on November 6th, a Planned Parenthood patient came to a Nampa Walgreens seeking to fill her prescription to treat uterine bleeding.  The patient was turned away because the pharmacist felt that the bleeding MIGHT have been the result of an abortion.

See, ladies?  Not a Macy's in sight.  Don't move here.

"The prescription was for a Planned Parenthood patient for Methergine, a medicine used to prevent or control bleeding of the uterus following childbirth or an abortion.

"'Methergine is not an abortifacient and it serves multiple purposes in postpartum care,' the practitioner wrote in her complaint. 'I believe the pharmacist wrongly applied the conscience protections.'

"The Idaho Legislature passed a law last year that gives pharmacists and other health care providers the right to refuse to provide any health care service or dispense any drugs that violate their conscience. Lawmakers could readdress the issue this session."

Apparently the pharmacist called the nurse practitioner that wrote the prescription to inquire as to why the prescription was needed, and invoked the conscience clause when the nurse refused to give the information based on patient confidentiality.

This is why laws like this don't fucking work.  How the hell is it my pharmacist's place to go seeking out my personal information?  It isn't.  Hey!  Morality police and whackjob fascists!  I have some advice for you:  Do your fucking job and leave your Bible at home.

[Idaho Press]

OneAngryCultist: Fundie Atheists Aren't Funny

If you’re like me – or even if you’re not like me – chances are that you have friends that run the spiritual gamut from religulous to irreligious. In this great country of ours, with the protections of the Constitution that "… shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" you can rest safely knowing that your right to theism or atheism is protected equally and, with the added bonus of freedom of speech, you can talk about it all you want or not at all. Lately, however, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend among some atheist groups where advertisements even as innocuous as the one below seem to be acting a little hostile toward those of religious persuasions.



Now, I have no problem with atheism – it’s just not a personal path for me; likewise I would hope that my atheist friends would share the same respect and we’d all just agree to disagree on this particular matter. This trend, however, is really obnoxious for the same reason that Xtian ™ and other religious propaganda is obnoxious – it perpetuates an “us versus them” mentality and presupposes one paradigm is somehow superior to the other, thus creating a culture of exclusion as opposed to dialogue.

There are some people who just happen to be atheist or “apatheist” who I greatly enjoy reading about or watching on TV such as Richard Dawkins, Bill Maher, Stephen Fry and many others. With the exception of the Fry, I will say that Dawkins takes his anti-religion stance a little far and Maher, while I can respect his comedy does jump to some pretty interesting conclusions about the nature of religion and religiosity. Equally, there are some religious people I greatly look up to who happen to be religious but also go a little far in their dismissal of atheism and non-theism.

So, why am I angry – well, douchebaggery such as that exhibited in these signs is just stupid and doesn’t help the case for atheism or atheist groups at all and really casts a negative light on them in a culture where atheism is a minority belief and held by many to be somehow suspect. If people want to get together for rational discussion, by all means do it and I’ll support it but for those on any side that somehow decide their paradigm is superior to my own or another’s; well STFU and get over yourself.

Thanks.