The Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Biology on Friday will offer its second annual Darwin Day program. The program includes a seminar by Charles Pence, assistant professor of philosophy and religious studies at Louisiana State University, titled "Evolution and Chance: From Darwin to the Pioneers of Statistics in Biology." Darwin Day is an annual celebration that takes place on or about Feb. 12, the anniversary of Charles Darwin's birthday. The day celebrates the contributions Darwin made to the field of biology as well as science, reason, exploration and intellectual bravery in general. The goal is to recognize science as a universal language capable of transcending border and culture. Pence's seminar will focus on the history of chance, probability and statistical tools that modern biologists use when discussing evolution and how Charles Darwin managed to refine his theory without those tools. Pence's seminar is from noon to 1 p.m. Friday in the Kennedy Auditorium on SFA's campus. This event is free and open to the public. View original post here: SFA biology to host Darwin Day lecture - Longview News-Journal … Continue reading →

Gilford School Board delays transgender policy By GAIL OBER, LACONIA DAILY SUN GILFORD The School Board walked back its attempt to pass a transgendered student policy after hearing from several parents who oppose it. Isaac Brake led the anti-policy discussion by saying his daughter is terrified about it and what terrifies her terrifies him. "I'm distraught about boys sharing facilities with her," he said, adding that he and Superintendent Kirk Beitler had spoken at length about it and that none of his concerns were assuaged. Brake said he was disappointed the school district didn't see fit to notify parents that it was considering the policy and that the policy was disingenuous because it leads people who read it to think that it is mandated by state and federal law. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case on the bill in March and is expected to determine if it is consistent with Title IX, which is a 1972 law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex for any publicly funded school. The policy as written would have allowed a transgender student or one who identifies as a different gender than they were "assigned" at birth to use the … Continue reading →

According to a UNM newsroom press release, the Dr. William Jones & Dr. Siu Wong Biology Urgent Needs Endowed Fund, established by two local optometrists, will provide a scholarship for a full or part-time graduate or undergraduate biology student. Additionally, the endowment will help support student publication expenses, student presentation seminars, the departments annual Research Day Lecture and may also help defray the cost of purchasing lab or classroom equipment as well as building repairs, according to the press release. This endowment will make a big impact on the department, William Pockman, chair of the Department of Biology, is quoted as saying in the press release. It really will help make our programs stronger and create a variety of opportunities for our students. Dr. William Jones and his wife Dr. Siu Wong, both accomplished optometrists, established the endowment, according to the press release. "My husband and I are very proud to sponsor the Dr. William Jones & Dr. Siu Wong Biology Urgent Needs Endowed Fund, Wong was quoted as saying in the press release. We believe strongly that education is the key for a better life and society. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to support your work and … Continue reading →

Receding water levels at Lake Mead have exposed 60,000 acres of land, creating a petri dish the size of Denver for UNLV biology students and others to study how to restore wildlife habitat. Students Matthew Rader and Vivian Sam were joined by 10 volunteers for eight hours on a recent Saturday morning in an effort to bring life to 4 acres affected by the receding water. Armed with shovels, the group turned enough dirt to plant 630 trees and grasses along the Las Vegas Wash, an area that was once submerged and served as a docking area for boats. This area was 50 feet below Lake Mead, said Dr. Scott Abella, assistant professor in the School of Life Sciences at UNLV. And with the drought and all the water issues, its exposed now and probably will be for the foreseeable future. Its really alarming from a water storage standpoint, but from a land habitat standpoint, Im thrilled. Nothing can be better for wildlife and the native ecosystem than having this happen. Under Abellas direction, Rader and Sam led the effort to establish native plants for wildlife habitat and watershed protection on the now-exposed shoreline. Their 4-acre classroom represented a tiny … Continue reading →

MANGILAO Two biology majors from the University of Guam traveled to New York last summer to conduct research at the University of Rochester (UR) with their mentor Dr. Naushadalli Suleman, UOG chemistry professor. Ana Capati and Aubriana Perez participated in 10-week fellowships, working with a team of graduate students from UR led by organic photochemist Dr. Joseph Dinnocenzo. Their research investigated how and why certain bonds between carbon and tin atoms break during certain chemical reactions. "It is expected that the insights gained from these studies will be helpful in designing and synthesizing new materials," Suleman said. The cost of the fellowships was covered by the partnership between UOG, the Rotary Club of Guam and South Pacific Petroleum Corporation to raise over $13,000. Were so thankful to Dr. Suleman, UOG and all our sponsors for making it possible for us to be a part of this research project, Capati said. Perez: It was an eye-opening experience According to Suleman, the students are able to gain valuable professional experience through their participation in these research fellowships. Capati and Perez received such experience through working with sophisticated and expensive lab equipment, valued at millions of dollars. It was an eye-opening experience, said … Continue reading →

Washington Post Punxsutawney presents: Drunk biology Washington Post February 2, 2017 7:31 AM EST - The people of Punxsutawney, Pa., celebrate Groundhog Day by singing, dancing and drinking through the night. The Post visited Punxsutawney Phil's hometown on the eve of his prediction to quiz revelers on how much they ... Continued here: Punxsutawney presents: Drunk biology - Washington Post … Continue reading →