Old Weblog Archive - June 2002

'Oldest' hard-shelled fossil #
Scientists have discovered the fossilised remains of a marine animal - perhaps a sponge or coral - which they say lived nearly 550 million years ago.
BBC: 28-Jun-02

15 Answers to Creationist Nonsense #
When Charles Darwin introduced the theory of evolution through natural selection 143 years ago, the scientists of the day argued over it fiercely, but the massing evidence from paleontology, genetics, zoology, molecular biology and other fields gradually established evolution's truth beyond reasonable doubt. Today that battle has been won everywhere--except in the [American] public imagination.
Scientific American: 17-Jun-02

Search for Norwegian 'Nessie' #
A team of Swedish scientists is exploring a lake in south-eastern Norway for evidence of an unidentified monster like Scotland's legendary "Nessie".
BBC: 13-Jun-02
It must be the Nowegian silly season.

To Boost Gene Pool, Lions Artificially Inseminated #
Wildlife experts in some smaller African reserves are experimenting with artificial insemination and vasectomies to boost lions' gene pools.
National Geographic: 12-Jun-02
I wonder what these people write on their CVs.

Dino heatwave recorded in leaves #
A new analysis of fossil leaves from 65 million years ago shows there was a sudden and dramatic rise in carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.
BBC: 11-Jun-02
They're at it again! Dino, indeed!

Dino family tree shows birds are related #
Scientists have produced the most detailed family tree of dinosaurs yet, showing how the great beasts were related to each other and how they evolved. This new look at dinosaur evolution clearly shows that birds are descended from dinosaurs, a matter of much debate in recent years.
BBC: 10-Jun-02
A matter of much debate - wonderful BBC understatement. But when was it exactly that dino became an acceptable abbreviation for dinosaur? I blame Dean Martin.

Marine iguanas hit by oil slick #
The unique marine iguanas of the Galapagos islands have been devastated by the aftermath of an oil spill, scientists say, losing almost two thirds of their number on one island since a tanker ran aground in January 2001.
Guardian: 06-Jun-02