… but The Guardian is handing out Bad Science Awards just the same.

I’m not sure how I got away from writing my daily writing diary, but since only about 10 people a day visit this blog, I don’t suppose anyone was overly concerned. Still, the writing diary isn’t really for my supposed readers, but for myself: a reminder to neither tear myself down for not doing enough …

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OK, that’s not actually possible. But they’ve done the next-best thing, photographing the electron cloud around a nitrogen molecule–which should allow them to watch how molecular bonds change during chemical reactions.

This seems like a no-brainer.

I didn’t see the TV adaptation of Earthsea. Based on Ursula K. Le Guin’s reaction, I think I’m glad.

Man bites dog!

I think I’ll tell my various editors this.

My wife and I just spent an inordinate amount of money on a genuine Christmas tree. This, naturally, sent me to the Internet in search of scientific proof that genuine Christmas trees are superior to artificial trees–and guess what? I found it! Well, sort of. It seems that researchers in Finland have discovered that that …

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Survive freezing, that is. Scientists are trying to figure out the wood frog’s anti-freeze mechanism, which allows them to survive being frozen solid for months. Suspended animation for humans? Well, not anytime soon–but it could lead to better ways to preserve organs for transport.

The first human tests have begun on a vaccine for Type 1 diabetes. If it pans out, it’s still five to 10 years away. I had an aunt who died of diabetes and have friends today who suffer from it, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

By now, you’re bound to have seen the widespread news reports about a study that suggests using a laptop computer on your lap could affect your fertility–assuming you’re male, that is. This story was on the front page of the newspaper yesterday, which made me a bit self-conscious as I sat in the coffee shop …

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A new way to lose weight! (Or, more accurately, considering the environment, mass.) Join the International Space Station crew.