Mel's blog

Happy Easter!

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:58:56 +0000

It's amazing what folks can do with a few stale marshmallows (don't get me wrong I love my Peeps!), check out the annual diorama contest - Washington Post.

Science, Technology, and Art - what more can you wish for?

Sat, 04 Nov 2006 15:58:58 +0000

Most students just don't realize that the inner life of the cell is like a an exciting telenovela! Casting aside the stuffy 1516 page cell biology text book is (you guessed it) Harvard! Using 3-D animation they illustrate the life of the white blood cell. It's not exactly the Incredibles, but I think you will enjoy it. The animators were good enough to share the film on their website. "Ugly Basophil" coming to network TV soon.

Nintendo! It's a cereal... and a wedding cake?

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 19:25:41 +0000

All gamers should appreciate this wedding day tribute. One of the guests told me about this fabulous cake and said it was amazing in person. Word is, the Goomba's were not invited. I hope that the bride and groom live happily ever after in their Mushroom Kingdom!

Adventures in the heartland, a pirates bounty... in a Kansas cornfield??

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 02:39:46 +0000

It is not often that I believe someone who says they ate a 150 year old pickle, but seeing is believing! The Arabia Steamboat Museum is definitely its own secret treasure - not well known outside of Kansas City, but by far one of the greatest collections recovered from a shipwreck of all time. The Arabia traveled down the Missouri River in 1856 carrying 200 tons of everyday items to sell in general stores along the frontier. Along the way, this steamboat encountered a 'snag'in its travels. So finally I come across the origin of this euphemism, a 'snag' was an tree trunk under the surface of the river. According to our excellent guide, over 300 steamboats were snagged!

Who needs fertility charting?

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 15:16:51 +0000

In an effort to help me post more often, I hope to share some of the more 'unusual' research that I see at UMN around me (as well as some of my own). So, thinking that some of you ladies might be interested in this- particularly those who are thinking about baby OR those who are trying to assess if they are with Mr. Right - I give you the following...

University of Minnesota psychology professor Jeff Simpson, along with colleague and U grad Steve Gangestad of the University of New Mexico, conducted a detailed study in which 76 men were videotaped trying to "win" a date with an attractive woman.

Privacy, not just for nerds

Fri, 15 Jul 2005 05:16:08 +0000

Privacy issues are getting top billing lately with increasing cases of identity theft, corporate mishandling of sensitive data, and legislature like the Patriot Act. Still most Americans are blissfully unaware of laws that protect sensitive health information. Many of us remember inappropriate HIV disclosure cases, but that was simply the tip of the iceberg.

Check out examples of privacy abuses that will make you cringe. How about the banker who also served on his county's health board cross-referenced customer accounts with patient information - then called due the mortgages of anyone suffering from cancer (1). That's a 10 on the smarmy index.

Nonprofits behaving badly

Wed, 13 Jul 2005 22:08:02 +0000

Recent intense scrutiny of compensation for top executives in the profit and nonprofit sector has uncovered financial improprieties both large and small. Money is at the heart of the issue, inciting angry protest regarding justice and fairness. How important is the issue of on the job perks and compensation packages? Just ask Michael Moore, who became a household name after his documentary “Roger and Me�?. This editorial documentary became ubiquitous among America’s working class as an example of both corporate greed and the lavish lifestyle corporative executives lead at the expense of blue-collar folks. Film excerpt: “[after massive layoffs] the more fortunate in Flint were holding their annual Great Gatsby party at the home of one of GM's founding families.�?

Tools little people can use!

Fri, 01 Jul 2005 01:06:11 +0000

After reading the dismal outcome of CMFL vs. Lion, it was clear the CMFL team was not geared appropriately for battle. Had Yang Sihamon, leader of the CMFL dojo, met the creator of the "bottom wiper" and the "beta tester" sooner - things may have been different. You will find these innovative products for little people helpful and hygienic. These products extend reach by as much as 16 inches! Watch out carnivores, next time they'll be armed.