Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Science Links

Here are some science links for your reading pleasure.

First, from Sirius, a link to a story about a new type of sauropod. Here's an excerpt:
Scientists have identified a new dinosaur species that had one of the longest necks relative to body length ever measured.

A typical neck bone in this creature was about the size of two loaves of bread.

The species, Erketu ellisoni, belongs to the group of massive four-legged herbivorous dinosaurs called Sauropoda, the largest land animals ever to walk on Earth. This giant group also includes Brachiosaurus, Diplodocus, and the largest of them all, the 120-foot long Argentinasaurus.

The picture in the article is amazing, because this dinosaur's neck was over twice as long as its body. Here's the link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11928145/.

Oh, and thanks to you guys for sending me dinosaur links. I don't miss a single discovery, thanks to you. And I read every one to Eli 4.7.

Next, from Geoff Engelstein:
Here's a link to a (technical) paper about a new micron-scale bar coding technique these guys developed:

Basically they figured out how to create small particles (about 50 micrometers across) that contain several layered nano-scale diffraction gratings. When illuminated by a laser you can easily read a diffraction pattern. By changing the grating size they were able to create a library of 68,000 unique tags.

These can be etched onto tiny polymer particles and used as markers for experiments -- biological, chemical, or genetic, as well as embed them for security or traceability.


That's right--nano scale bar coding. Here's the link:
http://www.opticsexpress.org/ViewMedia.cfm?id=88048&seq=0.

From Brian Witte, a link to an interesting product: moldable plastic. That's right, and it's just as freaky as it sounds, and you can even buy some. Here's the link:
http://www.micsaund.com/2006/03/13/plastic-you-can-mold-in-your-home-for-diy-projects/.

Cliff Eyler sent me a link to a story about a new ocean forming in Africa. Here's an excerpt:
Normally new rivers, seas and mountains are born in slow motion. The Afar Triangle near the Horn of Africa is another story. A new ocean is forming there with staggering speed -- at least by geological standards. Africa will eventually lose its horn.

Remarkable, and here's the link:
http://tinyurl.com/ngzo7.

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