PLEASE FORWARD/POST AS APPROPRIATE ================================================================ The mini-Annals of Improbable Research ("mini-AIR") Issue Number 2003-11 November, 2003 ISSN 1076-500X Key words: improbable research, science humor, Ig Nobel, AIR, the ---------------------------------------------------------------- A free newsletter of tidbits too tiny to fit in the Annals of Improbable Research (AIR), the journal of inflated research and personalities ================================================================ ----------------------------- 2003-11-01 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2003-11-01 Table of Contents 2003-11-02 What's New in the Magazine 2003-11-03 Farewell, Treadwell. Praised Be Troy. 2003-11-04 Flameproof Troy 2003-11-05 mini-Book-Review: "Universal Astronomy" 2003-11-06 Megalomaniac Survey 2003-11-07 Comfort Proteins 2003-11-08 Wigglesworth Poets 2003-11-09 Millipede vs. Train -- Chapter 2 2003-11-10 Interleg Coupling Backward Locomotion Limerick Contest 2003-11-11 Ig Nobel on Radio and TV 2003-11-12 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: Urban Shakedown 2003-11-13 BURSTS OF HotAIR: Donuts, Election, Revivification 2003-11-14 MAY WE RECOMMEND: Worm on Fish, Laser on Chicken 2003-11-15 AIRhead Events 2003-11-16 How to Subscribe to AIR (*) 2003-11-17 Our Address (*) 2003-11-18 Please Forward/Post This Issue! (*) 2003-11-19 How to Receive mini-AIR, etc. (*) Items marked (*) are reprinted in every issue. mini-AIR is a free monthly *e-supplement* to AIR, the print magazine ---------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-02 What's New in the Magazine Volume 9, number 6 (November/December 2003) of the Annals of Improbable Research (AIR) is the special IG NOBEL issue. It will be emerging from the printer some time in December. ---------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-03 Farewell, Treadwell. Praised Be Troy. We are saddened by news reports of the death of Timothy Treadwell, a Malibu, California-based author who carried out his beach-born dream of spending time, unarmed and unarmored, with grizzly bears in the wilds of Alaska. This tragedy needn't have happened -- and likely would NOT have happened, if only Treadwell had paid attention to the work of 1998 Ig Nobel Prize winner Troy Hurtubise. A report in the Malibu Times tells of Mr. Treadwell's predictable demise: "He died doing what he loved," said Jewel Palovak, program director for Grizzly People, Treadwell's educational foundation, who spoke with him via satellite phone only hours before the attack. "If he had to pick a way to do it, it would be that way. He always knew they were wild animals and he accepted them on those terms." The full report is at . To learn more about Mr. Treadwell's ill-fated quest, see the web site of his great admirer, The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, at . The site used to say: It's likely that by living with these Grizzlies, Mr. Treadwell is attempting something no human has ever done before.... The only defense Treadwell has is his wits. True enough. The Foundation, too, is living by its wits. The web site now says: "At this time we are no longer accepting new grant proposals." Mr. Treadwell did not heed the example provided by Troy Hurtubise. As much of the world knows, Troy spent seven years developing, and personally testing, a suit of armor that is impervious to grizzly bears. As a service to the public, an entire chapter of the new book "The Ig Nobel Prizes" is devoted to Troy and his work. If you, or someone you love, is considering spending time alone in the woods with a grizzly bear, we urge you to read the book. ---------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-04 Flameproof Troy There's new news about Troy, epitomized by this passage in a press report: Hurtubise puts on a hockey helmet covered with a thin layer of cured fire paste and then chats casually while the live torch is held against his noggin. "The scientists say I should be dead by now," Hurtubise says at one point. For details, see ---------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-05 mini-Book-Review: "Universal Astronomy" [NOTE: This is the first in a regular series of ongoing mini-Book- Reviews.] BOOK: "Universal Astronomy," by David Darling, Wiley & Sons, 2004, ISBN 0471265691 MINI-REVIEW: What other kind of book of astronomy would you want? ---------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-06 Megalomaniac Survey This year's annual MEGALOMANIAC SURVEY is inspired by two things. First, as always, by R.A. Cleghorn's classic paper, "Pitfalls in Thinking Big -- Megalomania," Psychiatric Quarterly, vol. 38, October 1964, pp. 607-18. And second, by the following report in the October 26, 2003 issue of The Boston Globe: Goldin's relationship with the university's trustees has been deeply troubled since the day he was approved to run the school that has long been dominated by Chancellor John Silber, according to those with knowledge of the board's concerns. Some board members felt Goldin was disrespectful toward Silber, and seemed bent on staking out an inordinate amount of power, according to sources close to the trustees. For example, Goldin told some trustees that he had asked a psychiatrist to analyze Silber, and the psychiatrist concluded that Silber was a "paranoid megalomaniac," according to two sources close to trustees. Here is this year's survey question: All things considered, if you want your child to be a success, should you raise her or him to be a megalomaniac? Please choose one of the following: (a) YES (b) NO Please send your survey answer, without undue comment, to: MEGALOMANIAC SURVEY c/o ----------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-07 Comfort Proteins We have a newfound respect the importance of Comfort Proteins. However, we do not know what they are. But we DO know they are important, because American network television is now filled with mentions of Comfort Proteins, and if something biochemical is mentioned over and over and over again on television, it must be important. Yes, we are embarrassed to admit that a total ignorance on the subject of Comfort Proteins. We could find no mention of them in any of the standard biochemical reference books. We have spend frustrating mornings and afternoons telephoning biochemists, each of whom also admitted, in sudden great embarrassment, a complete lack of knowledge on the subject. All of this intensifies our respect for Comfort Proteins. ---------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-08 Wigglesworth Poets The judges in the first and last annual TOFU TISSUE LIMERICK COMPETITION have chosen the winners, each of whom in some sense explored the research report (well, in this case, a book): "Tofu As a Tissue-Mimicking Material," Junru Wu, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, vol. 27, no. 9, 2001, pp. 1297-1300. [for further details, see last month's mini-AIR] The winners each will receive a free, quasi-tissue-mimicking issue of the Annals of Improbable Research. Here are the poets and their limericks: INVESTIGATOR KENT WITHROW: Dr. Wu has now put out the word. He bombarded his lunch and inferred That the waves that bounce back From a sonic attack Show that muscles are much like bean curd. INVESTIGATOR LOIS COOKSEY: An ultrasound doctor named Wu, Needed fibrous soft tissue to view, Though he searched all around, No nude breasts could be found. He used tofu -- that's how he made do. INVESTIGATOR HEATHER HEWITT: While craving a morsel to munch, Doctor Wu had a wonderful hunch: Would sound pass through a boy as fast as through soy? (And which might taste better for lunch?) INVESTIGATOR STUART BARROW: Tofu's acoustics are like unto those Of tissue that's soft, or so we suppose. The analogies hold For sounds brassy and bold, But not for me blowing my nose. ---------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-09 Millipede vs. Train -- Chapter 2 Millipedes are influential. So contends INVESTIGATOR ERICA CAMPBELL: "I thought your readers might be interested in this further proof that millipedes are indeed the sworn enemy of the locomotive. I found it on the Sydney Morning Herald website all the way over here in Australia. INSECTS STOP TRAIN [October 13, 2003] -- A swarm of young millipedes stopped a train in the mountains near Osaka, western Japan, as they covered a length of the railway track following a massive hatch, press reports said. The one-coach train, carrying only two passengers, skidded to a halt after crushing an "enormous amount" of the white insects, each measuring three to six centimetres, along 400 metres of track, the reports said. The incident occurred yesterday on a shadowy upward slope on a local train line in Hyogo prefecture, about 450 kilometres west of Tokyo, the reports said That's what Investigator Campbell said the Sydney Morning Herald's report said that reports said. The interested reader is referred to AIR's study called "PHYSICS LESSON -- When Millipede Meets Train," which was published in August, 2000, and can be found at: ---------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-10 Interleg Coupling Backward Locomotion Limerick Contest We invite you to enter the first and last annual INTERLEG COUPLING BACKWARD LOCOMOTION LIMERICK COMPETITION, for the best (NEWLY composed!) limerick that elucidates this research report, which was brought to our attention by investigator Shira Lal: "Reversal of Interleg Coupling in Backward Locomotion Implies a Prime Role of The Direction of Locomotion," D. Eilam, G. Shefer, Journal of Experimental Biology, vol. 173, December 1992, pp. 155-63. The authors report that: Our observations on the locomotion of mole rats in a transparent acrylic tunnel revealed that, as in nature, mole rats moved both forwards and backwards. RULES: Please make sure your rhymes actually do, and that your limerick at least pretends to adhere to classic limerick form. PRIZE: The winning poet will receive a free, backward-coupled, issue of the Annals of Improbable Research. Send entries (one entry per entrant) to: INTERLEG COUPLING BACKWARD LOCOMOTION LIMERICK CONTEST c/o ---------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-11 Ig Nobel on Radio and TV NPR: The annual NPR "Science Friday" special Ig Nobel radio broadcast with Ira Flatow will be on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2003, the day after Thanksgiving. For details, see section 2003-11-15 below CBS: You can see the special "CBS News Sunday Morning" report inside and behind the Ig, at ----------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-12 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: Urban Shakedown Each month we select for your special attention a research report that seems especially worth a close read. Your librarian will enjoy being asked (loudly, so other library patrons can hear it) for a copy. Here is this month's Pick-of-the-Month: "Predictors of Whole-Body Vibration Levels Among Urban Taxi Drivers," J.C. Chen, et al., Ergonomics, vol. 46, no. 11, 2003, pp. 1075-90. The authors explain that: WBV measures were taken from a sample of 247 male drivers in Taipei City, Taiwan.... [O]ur analyses indicated that average driving speed was the primary predictor.... ---------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-13 BURSTS OF HotAIR: Donuts, Election, Revivification Here are concise, flighty mentions of some of the features we've posted on HotAIR since last month's mini-AIR came out. See the whole list by clicking "WHAT'S NEW" at the web site, or go to: ==> MATH LESSON-- Two Billion Krispy Kreme Mentions ==> Precise Prediction of Who Will Win the U.S. Presidential Election ==> "Psychotherapeutic-Spiritual Revivification" ==> New members of the Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists. THESE, AND MORE, ARE ON HOTAIR AT ----------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-14 MAY WE RECOMMEND: Worm on Fish, Laser on Chicken WORM ON FISH "Rapid Worldwide Depletion of Predatory Fish Communities," Myers Ransom and Boris Worm, Nature, vol. 423, 2003, pp. 280-3. (Thanks to Adele Sallen for bringing this to our attention.) FOR THE PRECISE COOK "Adhesion of Rice Flour-Based Batter to Chicken Drumsticks Evaluated by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy and Texture Analysis," A. Mukprasirt, T.J. Herald, D.L. Boyle, and K.D. Rausch, Poultry Science, vol. 79, no. 9, September 2000, pp. 1356- 63. (Thanks to Chris Freel for bringing this to our attention.) ------------------------------------------------------------ 2003-11-15 AIRhead Events ==> For details and updates see ==> Want to host an event? 617-491-4437. ==> NPR "SCIENCE FRIDAY" IG NOBEL SHOW -- FRI, NOVEMBER 28, 2003 Broadcast of a specially edited version of the 2003 Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony, as per happy tradition. For times and stations, consult your local NPR station. The broadcast can also be heard on the web at CALTECH, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA -- TUES, JANUARY 27, 2004 8:00 PM Beckman Auditorium. AIR editor MARC ABRAHAMS. INFO: (626) 395-4652 AAAS ANNUAL MEETING, SEATTLE, WA -- FRI, FEBRUARY 13, 2004 7:30 PM SHERATON HOTEL, METROPOLITAN BALLROOM The annual Improbable Research Show -- part of the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Details TBA. WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON -- MON, FEBRUARY 16, 2004 AIR editor MARC ABRAHAMS. Details TBA ENGLAND AND IRELAND AND SCOTLAND - MARCH, 2004 IG NOBEL / AIR Tour will be a featured part of the UK's NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK. AIR editor MARC ABRAHAMS, numerous IG NOBEL WINNERS, and other of Britain's most and least celebrated scientist will do improbable public shows in various cities. Details TBA. AUSTRALIA -- AUGUST, 2004 [Tentatively scheduled]. IG NOBEL / AIR Tour will be a featured part of Australia's NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK. Details TBA. FOURTEENTH 1ST ANNUAL IG NOBEL PRIZE CEREMONY -- October 2004 Exact date to be announced soon. Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA IG INFORMAL LECTURES 2004 Two days after the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony -------------------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-16 How to Subscribe to AIR (*) Here's how to subscribe to the magnificent bi-monthly print journal The Annals of Improbable Research (the real thing, not just the little bits of overflow material you've been reading in this newsletter). ................................................................ Name: Address: Address: City and State: Zip or postal code: Country Phone: FAX: E-mail: ................................................................ SUBSCRIPTIONS (6 issues per year): USA 1 yr/$29 2 yrs/$53 Canada/Mexico 1 yr/$33 US 2 yrs/$57 US Overseas 1 yr/$45 US 2 yrs/$82 US ................................................................ BACK ISSUES are available, too: First issue: $8 USA, $11 Canada/Mex, $16 overseas Add'l issues purchased at same time: $6 each ................................................................ Send payment (US bank check, or international money order, or Visa, Mastercard or Discover info) to: Annals of Improbable Research (AIR) PO Box 380853, Cambridge, MA 02238 USA 617-491-4437 FAX:617-661-0927 ----------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-17 Our Address (*) Annals of Improbable Research (AIR) PO Box 380853, Cambridge, MA 02238 USA 617-491-4437 FAX:617-661-0927 EDITORIAL: marca@chem2.harvard.edu SUBSCRIPTIONS: air@improbable.com WEB SITE: --------------------------- 2003-11-18 Please Forward/Post This Issue! (*) Please distribute copies of mini-AIR (or excerpts!) wherever appropriate. The only limitations are: A) Please indicate that the material comes from mini-AIR. B) You may NOT distribute mini-AIR for commercial purposes. ------------- mini-AIRheads ------------- EDITOR: Marc Abrahams (marca@chem2.harvard.edu) MINI-PROOFREADER AND PICKER OF NITS (before we introduce the last few at the last moment): Wendy Mattson WWW EDITOR/GLOBAL VILLAGE IDIOT: Amy Gorin (airmaster@improbable.com) COMMUTATIVE EDITOR: Stanley Eigen (eigen@neu.edu) ASSOCIATIVE EDITOR: Mark Dionne DISTRIBUTIVE EDITOR: Robin Abrahams CO-CONSPIRATORS: Alice Shirrell Kaswell, Gary Dryfoos, Ernest Ersatz, S. Drew MAITRE DE COMPUTATION: Jerry Lotto AUTHORITY FIGURES: Nobel Laureates Dudley Herschbach, Sheldon Glashow, William Lipscomb, Richard Roberts (c) copyright 2003, Annals of Improbable Research ----------------------------------------------------- 2003-11-19 How to Receive mini-AIR, etc. (*) What you are reading right now is mini-AIR. Mini-AIR is a (free!) tiny monthly *supplement* to the bi-monthly print magazine. 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