Dependence on fossil fuels, increasing global energy demand and concerns of greenhouse gas emissions have led to an interest in alternative fuels produced from domestic renewable sources. In recent year, interest in bio-butanol has increased due to its perceived advantages over the traditional gasoline substitute, bio-ethanol. Here I will discuss the current state of bio-butanol [...]
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Joe Chemler
Over six months have passed since the world was introduced to GFAJ-1, a bacterium reportedly capable of incorporating arsenic (As) into biomolecules as a substitute for phosphorus (P). I previously summarized the paper and some of the initial peer-reviewed responses. Since then, scientists have voiced their concerns, primarily focusing on the quality and type of [...]
The conditions are set for a bumper crop of mosquitoes this summer in Michigan. Mosquito populations come in waves, and as the spring mosquitoes are dying off, the summer mosquitoes are set to emerge followed by another peak in the population early July. Summer mosquitoes thrive in warm weather and breed in stagnant waters. Following [...]
I have wanted to post a commentary ever since I’ve been seeing ads in the Ann Arbor Observer advertising acupuncture for pets by non-veterinarians. Recently, AnnArbor.com has hosted a couple pieces on acupuncture for pets including one from Lorrie Shaw and Dr. Taryn Clark and Dr. Jessica Franklin, two local veterinarians. The piece by Dr. Clark and Dr. Franklin will do nicely for deconstruction and a game of name that logical fallacy.
UFO Sighters Do Not Believe USAF Experts Fort Scott Tribute (Kansas): March 26, 1966. DETROIT, Mich. (AP)- An expert’s opinion that some of objects- UFO- probably were swamp gases may have convinced the Air Force but not the people who saw them. “I’m no professor, and I’m not as educated as him, but I think [...]
The Dexter Leader: March 24, 1966.
Though descriptions vary, it is certain some kind of unidentified objects were sighted in the Dexter area again Sunday night between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. …
The Saucers Take a Night Off
The Detroit News: By Morgan O’Leary
DEXTER, Mich., March 22- A violinist tried music and a scientist used an intellectual approach, but nothing could entice Michigan’s mysterious “phantom airships” down to earth last night. …
Washtenaw ‘Spaceships’ Elude Pursuers The Detroit News: By Jerome Aumente After sightings, the witnesses put together this composite drawing at the Washtenaw County sheriff’s headquarters, showing the lights, surface and antenna. DEXTER, Michigan, March 21.- Mysterious flying objects emitting strange sounds and lights were pursued by police and civilians last night, including a man who [...]
In preparation of the upcoming Michigan Skeptic Meetup on March 12th where we will have a presentation on the UFO sighting in Michigan 45 years ago, over the next week I’ll be posting actual newspaper articles that chronicle the events that took place in March, 1966. I dug up these articles after visiting the Dexter [...]
Figure 1: Metabolism of arsenic compounds in bacteria Arsenic (As) is widely distributed in the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Discovered in 1250 by Albertus Magnus, it has since become synonymous with poison. As, the 33 element on the periodic table, falls just below phosphorus (P), meaning that As shares physicochemical properties with that of P, [...]