Being a Scientist: Synthetic Biologist

Honestly, I’m not sure I know what a “synthetic biologist” is. I think the term is something that the people doing it make up as they go along – like their organisms.

You can get your own “Being a Scientist” template here and create your own, you crafty bastards you.

Cancer quote of the day

or maybe of the year:

More than half of the cancer occurring today is preventable by applying knowledge that we already have. Tobacco, obesity, and physical inactivity are the modifiable causes of cancer that generate the most disease. Cancer burden can be reduced by alterations in individual and population behaviors and by public health efforts as long as these changes are driven by sound scientific knowledge and social commitment to change. The obstacles to these efforts are societal and arise from the organization of institutions, including academia, and in the habits of daily life.

Applying What We Know to Accelerate Cancer Prevention
Graham A. Colditz, Kathleen Y. Wolin and Sarah Gehlert
Sci Transl Med 28 March 2012

Song of the Week: OK Go -This Too Shall Pass (the one with the Rube Goldberg machine)


We are giving usual DJ Marie-Claire Shanahan the week off due to the inclement Albertan weather. So, this week is going to be a bit different, as I should not, repeat not, being writing about music for Rolling Stone; but we do like to keep the Song of the Week inspiring.

Do you know what inspires me? Fun! And, Rube Goldberg machines. And, blowing bubbles.

That is all.

Wait, there is more – puppies (bonus track).


Also, my wife and kids. Love you guys.

Wait. Rube Goldberg machines are science-y, right? Hello, science inspired music theme, what is that on your back? Oh, it’s me, sticking to you.

Stochastic gene expression and Prussian cavalry kicked by horses

Now this is morbidly entertaining. Apparently our understanding of Poisson processes, such as many of the events involved in gene expression, are derived from a study of fatal encounters with horses in the Prussian cavalry:

“Effects of Molecular Memory and Bursting on Fluctuations in Gene Expression”, Juan M. Pedraza and Johan Paulsson:

Similar Poisson statistics have been observed in a wide range of physical systems, starting with Bortkewitsch’s classic study on the number of Prussian cavalry officers kicked to death by horses (12).

Continue reading “Stochastic gene expression and Prussian cavalry kicked by horses”

Fibonacci of FIRE!

On Monday, photographer par excellence Russ Creech tweeted a photo of Katy Chalmers making a Fibonacci spiral of FIRE!

For some, words like “Fibonacci” and “fire” are enough to set the little reward bells jingling in your nerd/pyro synapses. I, however, am made of more quantitative stuff1. How “rough” was Katy’s rough Fibonacci spiral (of FIRE!)? Continue reading “Fibonacci of FIRE!”