Category Archives: science communication

Nibbled to Death by Ducks

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

One of my colleagues said working in university administration is like being nibbled to death by ducks. And this week a world leader said if you’re popular in your job, you’re probably not doing a good job. Result: some poor … Continue reading →

Posted in health, journalism, Native Science, science, science communication | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Science Ethics Redux

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Henrietta Lacks is back in the news. Lacks’ story captured headlines after Rebecca Skloot’s 2010 book revealed the dying mother had her cells removed for science—without her permission. Doctors at Johns Hopkins hospital had tried unsuccessfully to keep alive human … Continue reading →

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Maggots for Medicine

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Maggots—the offspring of flies—are making their way to the modern medicine chest, according to this month’s Scientific American. The wee young of flies—larvae—munch on dead skin, cleaning bacteria from wounds. Science writer Carrie Arnold notes the FDA approved medical use … Continue reading →

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Going Viral

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Interesting how our language has changed. Today going viral is a good thing. But imagine 30 years ago when a strange virus struck gay men in cities like San Francisco. Going viral meant something frightening.

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I Can’t Understand Your Story

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Telling your story has always been important. Imagine your elders camped by a fire telling stories. Indian Country holds stories dear.

Posted in american indian, framing, Native Science, science, science communication, social media, writing | Tagged | 2 Comments

Making Memories

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Exploring how we invent stories—and then stick to them—confounds journalists and scientists alike: how can we separate fictions from fact? I am keenly interested in how we make decisions—especially decisions built on information we gather from media that affect how … Continue reading →

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Not Quite, Sherlock

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

We teach students to be critical—to look beyond the obvious. Question assumptions. Just like Sherlock Holmes, whose exploits are finding new audiences in 2013, we should look beyond the surface.

Posted in cinema, neuroscience, science, science communication | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

I’m Not a Monkey

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

There’s a delicate balance between teaching and learning; between giving instruction and taking over the task. And it takes a nimble soul to figure out when to let someone falter or fail. A student sent an email recently to make … Continue reading →

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Revenge of the Machine

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

When I read about machines that can learn, my mind flew from science to science fiction. Can machines really learn? I always thought that’s what they meant by intelligent design–that machines were programmed to respond intelligently to new stimuli.

Posted in neuroscience, science, science communication, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Defining Race

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The conversation turned to race. My talk Wednesday at the Newberry focussed on Native and scientific perspectives, particularly over Kennewick Man–the 9300-year-old skeleton discovered in the Columbia River. During the question and answer session one guest asked if Kennewick Man … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, ethics, framing, human origin, Indian, journalism, Kennewick Man, native american, Native Science, news bias, repatriation, science, science communication, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment