Why Have Sex? - About Evolution

Here is a demonstration of a simple evolutionary model driven by selection and mutation, no sex. If a creature is killed, it is replaced by a slightly mutated version of its killer. Created by Jeffrey S. Rosenthal, University of Toronto.

Evolution Applet

Marbled crayfish, an asexual species of crayfish, are doing very well around Madagascar as discovered by Dr. Julia Jones. Reproduction without sex can be more efficient in the short term, while endangering the species in the long term (from Economist ).

Early this year, biologists working in Madagascar were shocked to discover that Procambarus 'Marmorkrebs', the world's only known parthenogenetic decapod, had become established in brick pits and rice fields around the capital. I am working with colleagues at the University of Antananarivo (Jeanne Rasamy and Olga Ravoahangimalala) carrying out preliminary research on the rate of spread, the level of risk to biodiversity and agriculture and investigating possible ways of controlling the invasion.

Dr. Julia Jones

In 2005, Matthew Goddard from University of Auckland could report how his team had found evidence that sex speeds up evolution. They experimented with a sexual and asexual version of otherwise identical strains of yeast, monitoring their growth and survival across harsh and benign environments. It turned out that sex did not matter in benign environments, while the sexual strain did much better in the harsh environment.

National Geographic - Nature

Experience: Half Machine

Credits: mvejerslev

This week I visited the art collective Half Machine, who has a boat in Copenhagen. Cool. Reminded me of pictures from Burning Man festival.

Experiencing such generous creativity instills in me a sense of satisfaction and optimism.

Software Spots Key Community Participants

Researchers from Cornell and Microsoft did some interesting research on detecting key players in online communities.

Welser's group found that the most informative individuals – dubbed "answer people" – are also relatively taciturn, rarely participating in discussions heavily. They also tend to shy away from the "discussion artists" who dominate most threads.

Link (New Scientist)

National Geographic: Swarm Behavior

The classic magazine National Geographic is hosting an article about swarm behavior, ants in particular, and describe applications of swarm theory to human problems, such as that of business optimization.

Link

Jesus Action Figures

Got to love this: Jesus action figures. Hallelujah.

If you work in a cubicle office environment, you are going to love the cubicle actions figures - "The Cubes(TM) - In this office, you're the boss!".

Link: Jesus (From Digg)

Link: The Cubes (Thank you, Damien)