Author Archives: Cath@VWXYNot?

About Cath@VWXYNot?

"one of the sillier science bloggers [...] I thought I should give a warning to the more staid members of the community." - Bob O'Hara, December 2010

Friday’s Primate Party

Posted on February 8, 2008 by Cath@VWXYNot?

A good news Friday today! The Cao Vit Gibbon, which lives along the China-Vietnam border, is the rarest ape in the world. But a recent survey found double the expected number of the animals (around 100, which isn’t great, but … Continue reading →

Posted in apes, monkeys, nature, photos, Primate Party | Comments Off on Friday’s Primate Party

We’d better start evolving our vaccination practices too…

Posted on February 7, 2008 by Cath@VWXYNot?

A January post on one of my favourite science blogs raised an interesting question about vaccination as selective pressure. As part of her highly recommended “Viruses are Cool” series, Mad Hatter discussed a potential universal flu vaccine that should be … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

These boots were made for, erm, walking?

Posted on February 6, 2008 by Cath@VWXYNot?

According to this story on the BBC, I should maybe think about revising the upper height limit I’ve imposed on the heels of my elusive pair of perfect boots. Talking of strange medicine, a gust of wind almost made me … Continue reading →

Posted in freakishness, medicine, silliness | 6 Comments

Calling all Canadian Nature Networkers!

Posted on February 5, 2008 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I’ve set up a group for all users based in Canada. Join up and introduce yourself!

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Holy Penne, Batman

Posted on February 5, 2008 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I accidentally bought religious pasta this week – and I’m not talking about the flying spaghetti monster. Looking for wholewheat pasta, I came across some penne made from “freshly sprouted, certified organically grown whole grains, legumes, and seeds” and thought, … Continue reading →

Posted in silliness | 13 Comments

Book Review

Posted on February 3, 2008 by Cath@VWXYNot?

“Behind the Scenes at the Museum” by Kate Atkinson. 10/10. Kate Atkinson RULES. After reading her last two novels recently (reviewed briefly here), I went straight to Amazon to order all of her older books. (I’d read them all before, … Continue reading →

Posted in book review | 5 Comments

Laughing stock of Canada

Posted on February 1, 2008 by Cath@VWXYNot?

It snowed here this week. Not the little one-day sprinkles that have been a recurring theme of this winter, but a good few inches. This being Vancouver, a few inches were enough to bring the city to a halt. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, cycling, rants, silliness, snow, Vancouver | 6 Comments

Friday’s Primate Party

Posted on February 1, 2008 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Last week’s party featured two similar stories that stirred up some very different (and slightly ambivalent) feelings. Luckily, things are much more black and white today (there’s enough grey outside my window to be getting on with this morning). Rescuing … Continue reading →

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Are we really evolving, or just eating too many Big Macs?

Posted on January 31, 2008 by Cath@VWXYNot?

My postdoctoral research involved studying the evolution of gene regulation in primates. Since human and chimpanzee gene sequences are so similar, differences in the timing and position of gene expression are thought to be a major cause of the differences … Continue reading →

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Doctors, eh?

Posted on January 29, 2008 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I have a great deal of respect for the medical profession. I’ve lived, studied, socialised or worked with medical students and then qualified physicians for over 12 years now, and I know how hard they work and how difficult and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment