Author Archives: Ron Miksha

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About Ron Miksha

Ron Miksha is a bee ecologist working at the University of Calgary. He is also a geophysicist and does a bit of science writing and blogging. Ron has worked as a radio broadcaster, a beekeeper, and Earth scientist. (Ask him about seismic waves.) He's based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Human Kidney acquires a Woolly Mammoth Gene!

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Ron Miksha

In a fascinating scientific breakthrough, scientists have transplanted a gene (TRPV3) from a spare woolly mammoth rump into a human kidney. The mammoth – frozen for 35,372 years – was discovered in a freezer at Muckatuk’s Emporium, a popular eatery … Continue reading →

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Crater Lake

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Ron Miksha

During the 1849 California Gold Rush, the easy pickings around Sutter’s Mill were staked off and scooped up rather quickly. The ’49ers, as the first prospectors were called, put gold in the bank while the ’50ers had to look further … Continue reading →

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Infinitesimal

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Ron Miksha

I just finished Infinitesimal –  a book that describes how a peculiar new idea was undermined by religion. Careers were ruined; people were imprisoned for promoting this idea that ran counter to prevailing religious notions. This time, I’m not talking … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Culture, History, Religion | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Monkeys on Trial

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Ron Miksha

The monkey trial.  It was 90 years ago. We know the key players – the fabulously successful criminal trial lawyer who defended Scopes (but lost) and the 3-time Democrat presidential candidate (and erstwhile preacher) who attacked Scopes (and won). It … Continue reading →

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License Plate Tectonics

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Ron Miksha

I write about plate tectonics. I eagerly jumped from my news feed to the story: “License Plate Tectonics” after I read the headline. About time, I thought. We license everything else – hunting, fishing, driving, marriage. Why not license plate … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Plate Tectonics | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Another day, another dinosaur

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Ron Miksha

You have to wonder when all the dinosaurs will be found. When will nothing remain to be discovered? That day is apparently a long way off. New dinosaurs keep popping out of the ground. In my home province, Alberta, it’s … Continue reading →

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Finished Science

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Ron Miksha

I have been reading Jerry Coyne’s new book, Faith vs Fact, and the evolutionary biologist makes a clear point that scientific understanding evolves as much as biological entities. In his book (which is a solid testimony of what science is … Continue reading →

Posted in Exploration, Geology, Space | Tagged , | 8 Comments

The Mystery of The Worldwide Hum Phenomenon

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Ron Miksha

I am reblogging this because it is intriguing and I don’t know what to think about it. A worldwide hum? It is not quite worldwide as it seems to other the ears of the wealthy North Americans and Europeans more … Continue reading →

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USA and Vietnam may go to war again – as Allies

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Ron Miksha

I was a kid during the Vietnam War. I remember the nightly television scenes of boys not much older than I was, crawling through rice paddies while explosions ignited around them. Some of the young men were relatives, others were … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Exploration | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Global warming: Science-denying Senator tells scientist Pope to listen to scientists

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Originally posted on Primate's Progress:
Pope Francis’ Coat of Arms Well, perhaps not quite a scientist, but Pope Francis really does have, on his CV, a chemistry lab technician’s diploma and related work experience. And Rick Santorum is not…

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