Monthly Archives: August 2006

New Way to See Dinosaurs

A new scanning technique has the potential to provide a much better look at dinosaurs. Paleontologists say that research into dinosaur eggs will allow them to look at the evolution of dinosaurs in an entirely new way.

“We are looking at the dawn of life,” said lead researcher Phil Donoghue, a paleontologist at Bristol University in England. “Because of their tiny size and precarious preservation, embryos are the rarest of all fossils. But these fossils are the most precious of all because they contain information about the evolutionary changes that have occurred in embryos over the past 500 million years.”

Next step: Jurassic Park!

ER for Violence Prevention

CIIAN LogoThe Canadian International Institute of Applied Negotiation (CIIAN) has create a new fast-reacting Early Response Unit (ERU). Essentially the ERU takes a holistic approach to analyzing potential conflicts to look for solutions before violence breaks out. This is a really good idea. They follow the thinking that even a little bit of prevention can go a long way to preventing conflict.

CIIAN’s President and the Director of the ER Unit, Dr. Ben Hoffman, states “I believe the new ER Unit is greatly needed in our world of increasingly volatile environments. Ethnic and religious strife, land occupations, labor strikes, dysfunctional workplaces, and troubled schools can become violent unless timely action is taken. We have the expertise to recognize early warning signs that these environments may become violent and the experience to deliver an appropriate response aimed at prevention and stabilization.”

Thanks, Evan!

Toronto Hosts 16th Annual Aids Conference

aidsstatue.jpgThis year Toronto is the proud host of the largest HIV/AIDS conference in the world. Beginning this Sunday, the event will have an estimated 20,000 participants and wil include such keynote speakers as Bill Clinton and Bill and Melinda Gates (who recently donated $500 Million dollars to the global fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria).

People venture from all over the world to attend the conference which includes a film festival of HIV/AIDS-themed movies, related visual art and photography exhibitions, poetry and prose readings, theatrical performances, author sessions and panel discussions. There will also be art events in galleries and museums all around the city and live performances by Alicia Keys, Barenaked Ladies, Blue Man Group and many others. It is awesome to have this event happening in our own city and may not be back in Toronto again for a long time. So go on out this week and share in the awareness.

Alley Jaunt

garageThis weekend in Toronto Alley Jaunt is happening. It’s an event that looks at local art in local garages and a chance to go down laneways and alleys that you might normally ignore. Run by some local artists, the event wants to bring the community of Trinty Bellwoods and artists together.

“Follow the path of chalk drawings and flags to guide you to the participating garages and join the local community in turning these private spaces into public gatherings!”

Be sure to check the pictures from last year. (I can’t link to it because their site uses frames.)

MIT Goes Crazy for Green Energy

MIT researchers are looking into perhaps the most ambitious energy programs. Right now they would like you to use solar panels that are so green they use spinach. Why use an alternator in your car when light is more efficient?

Wired news has more information on MIT’s green electricity project.

“David Jhirad, a former deputy assistant secretary of energy and current VP for science and research at the World Resources Institute, said no other institution or government anywhere has taken on such an intensive, creative, broad-based, and wide-ranging energy research initiative.”