Until recently, most scientists thought that the difference between species was fairly clear cut and typically involved the inability for cross species mating. Thanks to modern technology however, that distinction has become much less clear. In a comparison of different crow species, it was discovered that only an incredibly small difference in DNA separated two species. While the crows in question were still able to cross-breed, there were very few examples of it actually happening. Scientists are currently working on various theories as to why these two compatible species might not prefer to mate with one another.
This might not be the type of crow they were referring to…
New information like this will make it more difficult to classify different species, though it has significantly improved our understanding of those things that make us different.
Like most people my age, I rarely use cash, instead relying on one of several credit or debit cards in my wallet. While they are convenient, they are still pretty low tech. Cards are really only a piece of molded plastic with a magnetic strip on the back encoded with some information encoded. One company, Coin, is working to take credit cards into the 21st century. The Coin is a digital credit card that can actually replace several different cards. All one has to do is swipe an existing debit or credit card using a reader and phone app and then upload it to the device, which allows you to select any card uploaded to it, and then use Coin like a normal credit card. Although the device is still in beta testing, it shows great promise to at least do what it says it will.
Whether it will become more than a novelty is still up for debate, though.
It is with some sadness that I read that Kari, Grant and Tory will be departing Mythbusters. Over the years I’ve really enjoyed the show and have come to appreciate the entire cast. While their methods were not always perfectly scientific (and they have on occasion had to revisit myths) as a whole, they’ve done a great job of digging up urban myths, breaking them down, and seeing whether there was actually anything to them, or if they were full of hot air. I was always a big fan of the sheer joy and excitement these three put into their jobs, as science doesn’t always provoke these responses from people.
I’m also more than a little jealous of how many things they got to smash and blow up without being arrested.
Therefore I Geek 