Mastodawn

Every now and again, I'm reminded of that 6th grade physics class where we were learning about units of measurement and decided to measure a box of milk. We got a slightly higher volume for the liquid it can hold than for the box itself, and when the teacher asked if anyone had an idea why, a kid mentioned the slight outward bulge of the box when it's filled. The teacher just said "you're right, I didn't even think of that" and to this day, I don't know what the expected answer would have been.

deltarays Mar 6

tomate 🍅Mar 3

When someone says „Scientists do not want you to know“ you can dismiss everything from there on. Scientists want you to know. They are desperate that you know. They can’t shut up about what they found out and want you to know.

deltarays Jul 8, 2025

Turns out my old laptop still boots...

deltarays Jun 22, 2025

Emeritus Prof Christopher May Jun 22, 2025

Lets be clear; changes to tax laws do not 'force' the wealthy to leave the country.

The wealthy are choosing not to increase their contribution to the country they are (currently at least) living in.

Sure that is a choice they are free to make, but its their choice; no-one is forcing them into anything.

They already have enough money, so refusing to pay higher taxes is a choice about what they wish to support in their (for now) home country!

They are not victims!

#taxes #politics

deltarays Jun 16, 2025

Rebecca Sear Jun 16, 2025

“Historically, no one lived past age 35” "I’ve heard *so* many versions of this claim, including recently from a menopause doctor (implying menopause is not “natural” because noone lived long enough to go through it). Every time someone states this “fact,” a demographer loses a piece of their soul"

There Were Still Old People Wh...

There Were Still Old People When Life Expectancy Was 35.

A demography myth that won't die

Data for Health

deltarays Jun 14, 2025

Niléane Jun 14, 2025

This. So fucking this.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdA33wRd/

#FreeGaza

deltarays Jun 11, 2025

Izzy

Jun 10, 2025

if linux is so good where is linux 2?
...
oh. oh no. it's in my router. external hard drives. every other android device. the cheap weather station my grandad bought. the dishwasher-

deltarays May 11, 2025

Die Linke May 11, 2025

Heute wäre Lorenz 22 Jahre alt geworden. Doch am 20. April wurde er von hinten durch drei Schüsse eines Polizisten getötet. Wir fordern Gerechtigkeit für Lorenz! Es braucht eine unabhängige Aufklärung und eine konsequente Kontrolle der Polizei! Mehr dazu auf https://www.die-linke.de/lorenz

Gerechtigkeit für Lorenz A.! - Aufklärung fordern, Polizeigewalt bekämpfen! - Solidarität mit den Angehörigen.: Die Linke

Die Linke

deltarays Apr 17, 2025

CosmicRami Apr 17, 2025

You may have seen headlines today - such as in The New York Times - suggesting the possible detection of a biosignature on an exoplanet. It’s an exciting prospect, no doubt. But it’s also an extraordinary claim, and as the saying goes, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" (Carl Sagan).

While the molecule in question is associated with biological processes, it’s important to note that non-biological (abiotic) pathways for its formation exist as well (see: Reed et al. 2024 ApJL; Sanz-Novo et al. 2025 ApJL). These results are interesting, but far from conclusive.

Scientists work within a robust framework to test such claims. This includes:

- Peer review and replication
- Community feedback and critique
- Cross-validation through multiple instruments and techniques
- Avoiding sensationalism in science communication
- Building consensus through sustained investigation

I am looking forward to hearing more from the exoplanet and astrobiology communities on these findings before drawing conclusions.

In the meantime, the ripple effect of bold headlines - like "Possible Signs of Extraterrestrial Life" - has already begun. A friend at the dentist this morning spotted a very misleading headline about this on Channel 9 News!

This is where science communication becomes critical: managing public interest and excitement without compromising scientific accuracy.

We should use moments like these to show the process - how scientific ideas are proposed, tested, debated, and refined - to broader audiences. Whether we’re talking about space, climate change, or pandemics, this transparency is essential to building trust in science.

Aliens make for a great headline, but the real story is in how we do the science.

#JWST #Astronomy #Astrobiology #Astrodon #Science #ScienceCommunication

deltarays Mar 23, 2025

Project Gutenberg Mar 23, 2025

"My methods are really methods of working and thinking; this is why they have crept in everywhere anonymously."

Happy Birthday Emmy Noether!!

She made many important contributions to abstract algebra. She proved Noether's 1st and 2nd theorems, which are fundamental in mathematical physics. She developed theories of rings, fields, & algebras. In physics, Noether's theorem explains the connection between symmetry & conservation laws.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmy_Noether

#mathematics #physics #womeninStem