These days when we think of the words “scientific” and “sin”, we might conjure up an image of a stem cell scientist being called a sinner by extremist anti-stem cell activists. As you know, I think that is bogus. In this article that’s not the kind of scientific sin I’m talking about. Rather, I’m talking …
Seven sins of scientists: starting with failure to cite Read More »
Looking for some tomato tips? I do sometimes escape the lab into the outside world and once out of there I can often be found in my vegetable garden looking after my tomatoes. I’ve written many times here on The Niche about gardening including tomatoes and have an occasional series “Scientist in the Garden.” After …
I don’t study frogs, but they’ve sure been studying bugs in my garden this year. Every so often and more frequently in summer I post about experiences as a scientist in the garden. As long-time readers know, I’m a bit obsessed with growing tomatoes. You can see past posts on tomatoes and tips on how …
Who let the frogs out & why do they sit on my tomatoes? Read More »
What are human lab rats? And I don’t mean humans in a clinical trial. I’m one of those people who can accurately be called “lab rats” in the sense of a scientist loving being in the lab doing experiments, analyzing data, and so forth. Ever since I started as a lab technician in 1990, I …
One of my hobbies is gardening, which helps keeps one’s sanity amongst all the grant writing, etc. However, I have a tough time leaving the science behind when I go out into the garden so sometimes I give in and go all science nerd in the garden. I’ve been doing a series on my blog …
Giant black widow spider & ant come eye-to-eye: surprising result Read More »
In addition to being a scientist, I’m an amateur photographer and gardener who loves taking nature photos. I really like to get out into the world and capture it on film and some of this happens right in my own back yard. This isn’t so surprising since one of my favorite parts of science is …
I was walking my dog Elvis with my daughter Julie on Sunday and as we have in the past, we came across something very science-y. (note you might enjoy my Scientist in the Garden series.) At the dog park where Elvis likes to play and hunt for rodents in the nearby bushes, there were millions …
Jumping oak gall swarm surprises Davis neighborhood Read More »
I wish I was a field scientist sometimes so maybe after 20+ years I’d like to escape the lab at times to do science outdoors. However, occasionally science comes to you, giving you a surprising, fun experience. Note that you may enjoy my Scientist in the Garden series. That happened to me today. After walking …
The fun when science comes knocking at your door: a real Mothra Read More »
I have a Plumeria plant in my office in my lab and when I came in today (Monday), I found the Plumeria in bloom and giving off a very beautiful scent reminiscent of Hawaii. (update: note you may enjoy my “Scientist in the Garden” series). Wow! Holy cow, how did that happen? Ok, back up. …
My to-read list this weekend includes a range of papers along with various news & media including a report of two US research groups aiming to get CRISPR baby patents. More on that below. At long last a trip + fun thing to do in NYC Last week I took my first trip in more …
Weekly reads: escape to New York, CRISPR baby patents, ISSCR guidelines, pubs Read More »