Gully patterns document Martian climate cycles

Gullies carved into impact craters on Mars provide a window into climate change on the Red Planet. A new analysis suggests Mars has undergone several ice ages in the last several million years. The driver of these climate swings is likely the Red Planet's wobbly axis tilt.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sciencedaily/strange_science/~3/qLmx75acqNY/150128152205.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email

Long-necked 'dragon' discovered in China: Dinosaur's lightweight neck spanned half the length of its

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of a long-necked dinosaur from a skeleton found in China. The new species belongs to a group of dinosaurs called mamenchisaurids, known for their extremely long necks sometimes measuring up to half the length of their bodies. Most sauropods, or long-necked dinosaurs, have necks only about one third the length of their bodies.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sciencedaily/strange_science/~3/cJxkqXwUsow/150128160506.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email

Darwin Day at Duquesne 2/12 (Pittsburgh)

Dear Pittsburgh-area friends of NCSE,

I thought that you'd like to know that John Doebley of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, will be giving a Darwin Day talk on "Darwin, Wallace, and Domestication" at 7:00 p.m. on February 12, in the Power Center Ballroom on the campus of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Join Dr. John Doebley as he discusses the genetic basis for the change in form under domestication and whether any patterns are beginning to emerge. Dr. Doebley has spent the last 20 years examining the genetic similarities and differences between teosinte and maize, cloning the major genes that cause differences between the plants."

The talk and following reception is free and open to the public. For further information, visit:

http://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/natural-and-environmental-sciences/opportunities-and-activities/darwin-day

--

Sincerely,

Glenn Branch
Deputy Director
National Center for Science Education, Inc.

Myth Busting Scott Walker's Bogus "Outstanding Teacher of the Year" Got Fired Story

Atheist files suit after being fired from teaching position

National School Choice Week: PR for Privatizers

This month, a roomful of school children were herded into a congressional meeting room and made to sit through an hour and a half of speeches by House Speaker John Boehner, Sens. Ted Cruz and Tim Scott, and other conservative members of Congress in honor of National School Choice Week. Described by its organizers as an "independent public awareness campaign," National School Choice Week is really a PR campaign that uses the moral mantle of children to distract attention from the fact that its sponsors include many anti-public education, anti-union, anti-government ideologues.

Read More>>

http://site.pfaw.org/site/R?i=vWTGsRuPoba4Qh5AoFPqbA

Unbelievable Nerve -- Republicans Finally Discover Income Inequality

Progressives have long known that America has a major problem with income inequality. But judging from the many goofy "responses" to the president's State of the Union Address this month, the GOP has just recently caught on -- and they're alleging that it's somehow all the fault of President Obama and Democrats. Republicans from Ted Cruz and Joni Ernst to Marco Rubio and Mitt Romney are all finally acknowledging the crisis-level problems America faces with income inequality and wage stagnation, but only because they think they can somehow flip the blame onto their political opponents.

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http://site.pfaw.org/site/R?i=ksUX9QIK2hBZsuhTyQUYiA

Right Wing Watch Original Series: The Personhood Movement

This month marked the forty-second anniversary of Roe v Wade, and with
it the annual barrage of anti-choice protests. But the future of the
anti-choice movement is clouded by infighting between establishment
groups seeking mainstream political approval, and radical "personhood"
activists who are unwilling to compromise on their goal of eliminating
abortion entirely. Our new Right Wing Watch series features original
reporting on what the personhood movement means for the future of
abortion rights in America.

Read More>>

http://site.pfaw.org/site/R?i=u2-TqDN4KaiNyiX1jKTzZQ

WH v 'FauxNews' & conspiracy theorists

Senate Republicans brought an interesting lineup of witnesses into today's big confirmation hearing, to talk about every right-wing grievance against outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder. But as Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) pointed out, there was one thing they weren't actually discussing: The actual new nominee for Attorney General, Loretta Lynch! Watch Whitehouse rail at the committee for getting itself sidetracked — and even offer Republicans some advice on how to really get rid of Holder — then share the video!

NationalMemo:

http://www.nationalmemo.com/endorse-this-sheldon-whitehouse-vs-fox-news-conspiracy-theorists-everywhere/

Astrophysicists’ update on enormous and unexpected Fermi bubbles

The vast and mysterious Fermi bubbles radiate out from our galaxy's core.  

More from EarthSky:

http://tinyurl.com/qjafl3o