Weird science-y question! Is there any kind of (nontoxic, readily available) liquid that behaves in some ways like smoke?
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posted by Ms. Toad
on Feb 9, 2012 -
9 answers
I need to make a small, high-pressure chamber. Pressure cookers only go up to 15 PSI, I'm looking for more like 50+. Can I just swap the valve out?
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posted by soma lkzx
on Feb 3, 2012 -
32 answers
What's some great new bioscience themed art? The more hands-on and interactive the better. Mapping genetic sequences to procedurally generated pictured is all good and well, but does seem a bit trite and decorative these days. What's out there these days saying something in the intersection between wet labs and the gallery?
posted by nicolas léonard sadi carnot
on Feb 2, 2012 -
3 answers
This weekend I have to present a very brief (2-3 minute) lesson, aimed at fifth graders, on a science/engineering concept of my choosing. What should I choose?
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posted by btfreek
on Jan 23, 2012 -
17 answers
Looking for an awesome primer on genetics! It should start somewhere around the highschool level, and continue through to some college-level material. Bonus points if it touches on some recent developments and research. Oh! And readability is key.
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posted by Afroblanco
on Jan 13, 2012 -
5 answers
We are a group of mid-20s to mid-30s life-science phd students that have started a book club. Our first book was The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and was a great fit for us. Please recommend others that you think might appeal to such a group. Thanks!
posted by sickinthehead
on Jan 12, 2012 -
38 answers
How do I change from worst student ever to world-class adult learner + scientist? What habits can I put into practice that will help me succeed at school, work, and personal endeavors?
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posted by Giggilituffin
on Jan 12, 2012 -
17 answers
If personality isn't supposed to be genetic, then how are pet breeds able to be differentiated by personality?
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posted by divabat
on Jan 5, 2012 -
15 answers
Biologists, biochemists, and microbiologists: how did you choose your field? I'm coming to the end of my undergraduate research year, and hope to apply for doctoral study for 2013, but am finding it very hard to settle definitively on a field and a lab to target. If you were a bright young thing about to start your research career in earnest, where would you hope to end up?
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posted by nicolas léonard sadi carnot
on Jan 4, 2012 -
8 answers
Can you help me figure out number of papers per year for a few top journals?
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posted by Buckt
on Dec 30, 2011 -
6 answers
I've been asked to research the viability of the launch of a new top-level domain (TLD) parallel to dot-com. Assuming the prospective domain owner wishes not to reduplicate the internet as it exists now merely with another extension, I'd like to ask: Let's say you could take what you know about how the internet works (indexing, monetization, traffic, web-mastering but also crowdsourcing, social networking, political organizing, personal publishing, microfunding, etc.) and for reasons purely fictional, the existing system was scrapped and being re-built from scratch, what would you do with that opportunity if you had it?
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posted by brynnwood
on Dec 26, 2011 -
9 answers
Two actuarial exams passed, writing resume and CV, need to learn Excel fairly well, for basic entry-level actuarial work. Any book recommendations? Or other learning modules? What's the best approach?
I'm fairly competent at learning technical things.
posted by brighteyes7
on Dec 21, 2011 -
6 answers
The great news is I got a teaching job high school. The not-so-great news is that I'm biology and physical science, subjects I can barely fake my way through (I got hired because I have a background in special education and working with this population). What are some great books and online resources that will help me with super-interesting lessons? Bonus points for online games and experiments that don't involve flames or heat.
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posted by kinetic
on Dec 17, 2011 -
16 answers
When a drug company is trying to get the FDA to approve a new drug, my understanding is that they have to demonstrate that it's clinically effective and not acutely toxic for a finite period of time (weeks or months). But how long?
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posted by toomuchkatherine
on Dec 15, 2011 -
11 answers
Is there any scholarship out there about penis size and relative [success/happiness/confidence/etc]?
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posted by AgentRocket
on Dec 13, 2011 -
5 answers
Why does banging two pebbles together make a weird smell? I remember reading about this in a book of eclectic scientific essays. Apparently, when you bang two rocks together it makes a smoky odor ONLY if you have touched the surface with your skin.
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posted by gray17
on Dec 6, 2011 -
3 answers
This article says that there is more variety in Asian dogs than in western dogs and that there are some dog types and characteristics that are unique to Asia. What are they? The article talks about DNA diversity, but doesn't talk very much about how the differences are actually expressed.
posted by empath
on Dec 5, 2011 -
3 answers
If I've gotten the right impression, much of our currently visible universe will eventually be expanded away from us, never to be seen again. Do we already know how much and what parts of our present neighborhood we'll be left huddling with?
posted by Anything
on Dec 4, 2011 -
12 answers
For Christmas, I want to give my Dad a collection of thought-provoking, idea-filled things to read or listen to - things that inspire discussion, reflection, imagination, and curiosity. His specific preferences and a few ideas I've had already are inside.
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posted by Cygnet
on Dec 4, 2011 -
18 answers
How can you tell where water came from? Lets say I give you a bucket of water taken from a local water source (river, lake, etc). There's some plants and maybe a fish in it as well. What could you tell me about where this water came from, could you pinpoint which body it came from, and how would you come to this conclusion?
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posted by The Whelk
on Dec 1, 2011 -
21 answers
I am interested in hearing some historical and educational audiobooks/audiocasts. Anyone have any suggestions?
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posted by cloeburner
on Nov 23, 2011 -
13 answers
What are the most reasonable, well-informed, and totally incorrect scientific papers?
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posted by Knigel
on Nov 19, 2011 -
26 answers
How can my kid best test an experiment regarding roofing materials and their ability to block heat?
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posted by Fairchild
on Nov 8, 2011 -
10 answers
Can anyone give me some straight talk on Sciences Po, otherwise known as l'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris? It's quite expensive and I don't know that I could get in, but on the other hand, it could be an awesome opportunity.
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posted by peakes
on Nov 7, 2011 -
8 answers
Help, scientists! I'm looking for a cover image for my forthcoming book of poetry. I would like to use a visually striking image (photo, diagram, etc.) from a scientific publication.
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posted by sleevener
on Nov 3, 2011 -
14 answers
After a few months of looking, I've found another research-related job at my university. Tell me what doors it will open to me that weren't open already.
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posted by Nomyte
on Oct 30, 2011 -
1 answer
Recent bioscience graduate is unsure what to do with his life. Science writing a possibility. Suggestions?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 29, 2011 -
4 answers
What skills should I be developing while in university as to work as an ecologist, environmental scientist, something similar in the future?
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posted by snowysoul
on Oct 27, 2011 -
18 answers
Why do snowstorms last so long? We live in the Denver area and it snowed for 18 hours, from 9 PM last night to 3 PM this afternoon. My wife asked me why it never rains for that length of time. I muttered something about convection in the summer, then stopped when I realized I didn't know what I was talking about.
posted by lukemeister
on Oct 26, 2011 -
11 answers
How do I find a masters degree program in the environmental/biological sciences that doesn't require a BS and will match my interests?
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posted by abirdinthehand
on Oct 25, 2011 -
6 answers
What do you think should be on a university science department's website? If you were a student researching/applying for an UG or Masters program, or someone generally interested in the dept, what would you like to see and where? Alternatively, what are good examples of science dept. websites that you have seen?
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posted by lalochezia
on Oct 18, 2011 -
22 answers
Are there any Great Scientists who are also Great Artists? If not right now, who was the last person who comfortably fit in both categories?
For the purpose of this discussion, a Great Artist has produced museum quality work (or a great novel, or similar), and a Great Scientist has made at least one 'important' discovery or invention, however you want to define that.
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posted by empath
on Sep 29, 2011 -
49 answers
