Science on Saturdays

General science nonsense from your favorite blue haired undergraduate researcher!

[cool-science-junk]

Ctenoid Fish Scale

Ctenoid (toothed) scales have small teeth along their outer edges. They are usually found on fishes with spiny fin rays, such as the perch-like fishes. The scales have a rough texture with a toothed outer or posterior edge featuring tiny teeth called ctenii. As the fish grow, scales are added in concentric layers. The scales are arranged so as to overlap in a head-to-tail configuration, like roof tiles, allowing a smoother flow of water over the body and thereby reducing drag.

Take a look at this cool infographic on scale types.

[the-future-now-deactivated20170]

A total solar eclipse will cross the U.S. on August 21

On Monday, Aug. 21, a rare total solar eclipse will take place in an event NASA dubbed the Eclipse Across America.

This special eclipse will be visible in the daytime across North America from Salem, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina.

An eclipse iswhat happens when “one heavenly body, such as a moon or planet, moves into the shadow of another heavenly body.”

While big cities like New York and Chicago will get a glimpse of the partial eclipse, the total eclipse will only be viewable in cities and towns along a diagonal slash from the West Coast through St. Louis and down to South Carolina. Read more (7/19/17)

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[doowhoopsanddaisys]

Reading Stephen Hawkings “A Brief History of Time” by the pool. So far it is a great read! Well written and fairly easy to understand (even if you have a minute science background.) 10/10 would recommend! I particularly liked the opening sentence of the Introduction, which was written by Carl Sagan, of Cornell University; it goes, “We go about our daily lives understanding almost nothing of the world.”

[importantwomensbirthdays]

Patricia Goldman-Rakic

Patricia Goldman-Rakic was born on April 22, 1937 in Salem, Massachusetts. Goldman-Rakic is regarded as a trailblazer in the study of memory function. She performed groundbreaking research on the prefrontal cortex and helped unlock key processes behind working memory. Her research laid the groundwork for understanding the neurobiological basis of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia.

Patricia Goldman-Rakic died in 2003 at the age of 66.

(image source)

[marineexplorer]

Cuttlefish - how do you hover so? Sepia apama #marineexplorer by John Turnbull Via Flickr: A unique characteristic of cuttlefish is their internal porous shell which makes up most of the body behind the head. This is filled with a mixture of gas and water, allowing the animal to control buoyancy like a fish with a swim bladder. “Cuttlebones” are often found washed up on the beach. Shelly Beach

[scienceonsaturdaze]

I found the most amazing looking spider residing on a rose in Mississippi

[allmyfriendshavefish]

Comb jellies

[scienceonsaturdaze]

Happy Mothers Day! Especially to this pretty lady I found on the ceiling

[scienceonsaturdaze]

Took the tortoise on a walk today! He ate every clover in the courtyard!!

[scienceonsaturdaze]

Found a nest in the garage with what looks like a beautiful baby brown finch inside!

[scienceonsaturdaze]

Thank goodness finals week is over! If you haven't read this book, 'Seven Brief Lessons on Physics' by Carlo Rovelli, I strongly suggest that you do! It's a great read

[giflounge]

The orbit of Jupiter protects the Earth from asteroids.

[tsunamiwavesurfing]

a silent guardian, a watchful protector

[funnylime]

lol look at mercury go that wild bastard

[science]

[scienceonsaturdaze]

A ribbon eel! So beautiful!

[cool-critters]

Nemoptera bipennis

Nemoptera bipennis is a species of slow flying insect in the family Nemopteridae or spoonwings. It is found in Spain, Portugal and France. Nemoptera bipennis lives in calcareous areas with low vegetation.

photo credits: Tino García de la Cruz

[scienceonsaturdaze]

We had a great time at the march for science!!

[scienceonsaturdaze]

Releasing lady bugs for earth day!

[scienceonsaturdaze]

Is anyone else going to the Science March? I'll be at the Philadelphia one!! Hope to see you there!