Interesting Elephant Fact...

Apparently elephants don't like climbing hills! Not that I'd ever thought about it before, but now that I know it's kind of interesting. I guess being that big would make it rather difficult... the ol' Work=(mg)h ... next time I'm feeling to lazy to take the stairs I'll just have to remind myself that at least I'm not an elephant! Check it out...

ScienceNOW: Ain't No Mountain Low Enough

PhD comic: Lab Hazard Rating System

Ok, so pretty much anyone who has worked in a lab has seen a sign like this... well, sort of like this. I think it's probably extra funny to us since we recently underwent a safety inspection - that's another story that's probably blog-worthy.

PhD comic: Lab Hazard Safety Rating

I'd say we're a: 2-0-2-VOR, sometimes we're a: 2-0-0-VOR. Fortunately nobody really smells... except maybe after hockey class in the winter... hmm... Definitely we rate a "0" for Air Conditioning Hazard... it is freaking cold down here! I like to go outside in the sun just to warm up! Makes 30C and 95% humidity feel damn good!

Commander Data? Is that you?

Ok, so no, we're not talking super strong something-ium alloy, super smart positronic net, futuristic Star Trek androids, but this is pretty incredible! I had no idea this was possible... I can't do it justice, so just check it out for yourself:

Wired: Meet the Remote-Control Self

... don't miss the gallery too!

so, now to find out if anyone reads this...

So, I've finally added a counter to my blog. I meant to do it a long time ago, but since I'm pretty sure nobody reads this, I kept not bothering. One of these days I will actually email my friends and let them know that I've started a blog... that was kind of the point afterall. Maybe I'll do that now... well... in a little while. Maybe after I go get a chocolate bar...

Nano-naysayers?

There seems to be an ever increasing amount of press about potential safety concerns of nanotechnology. Much of nanotechnology is still in the "dream phase" and a lot of people buying into the hype of "nano" will say it can enable and fix anything we need it to in the future... in the future... in the future.... I tend to think that is wishful thinking and that a lot of the "fears" about nanotechnology are unfounded primarily because they aren't anywhere near technologies yet.

However, there are a lot of nanoparticles making their way into the market these days in the form of nanomaterials, eg: Nanopants which caused a bit of a stir, and a lot of cosmetics products; L'Oreal is the single largest holder of "Nano"-patents... no small feat for sure. So, if we are wearing nanotechnology, and especially plastering it on our skin, it becomes a very valid question to ask about the environmental and health risks of these products in their use and manufacturing.

Moreover, with all of the increasing press "Nano" is getting, especially on the negative side, it will be crucial to the field of nanotechnology and nanoscience (I'm considering the -science as less applied work not likely to directly lead to commercialization) to provide information on the heath and safety of products coming to market. Otherwise, public paranoia is likely to develop which could shut down perfectly safe and viable technologies before they ever get a chance to mature. Misinformation, or worse, lack of information is a difficult foe to fight.

So, on that note, although I don't necessarily agree with everything put forward here, it is interesting to see that there is some movement toward a coherent plan to study environmental and health effects of nano. Next step: informing the public.

ScienceNOW: Tiny yes, but are they safe?