Week of Aug. 27 to Sep. 2
1 MIT is presenting a course on the corona virus and the pandemic. The cast of lecturers is outstanding. You don't have to be an MIT student to watch the lectures live streaming. I watched the first lecture and it was fantastic. The information came fast and furious but was first rate. The lectures are live streamed Tuesday morning at 11:30 am, eastern time, from Sept. 1 to Dec. 8 (no lecture on Oct. 13).
Course description: Lectures by leading experts on the fundamentals of coronavirus and host cell biology, immunology, epidemiology, clinical disease, and vaccine and therapeutic development. This is an exploratory subject, open to undergraduate and graduate students. Non students may watch the lectures but are not able to submit questions.
Please note: It will take a few days to caption and post each lecture video after the livestream has ended.
2 Migrating Wilson's Phalaropes feed by spinning around in the water, creating a whirlpool that draws invertebrates toward them. Watch as a whole marsh of gyrating birds snap up the bugs that are swept in. Only 54 seconds. Learn more about the Phalarope's sex role reversal here.
3 The Nature Rambler Book Group was scheduled to discuss a book
4 Hidden web of fungi could shape the future of forests by Elizabeth Pennisi & Warren Cornwall is a very accessible summary of recent research on mycorrhizal fungi.
5 Ridding paradise of coconut palms. On Pacific islands, coconut palms are an aggressive invader. Biologists are trying to eradicate millions of palms from one atoll.
6 The race for coronavirus vaccines: a graphical guide shows eight ways in which scientists hope to provide immunity to SARS-CoV-2 .
7 Kew Royal Botanical Gardens Podcasts:
Three episodes are currently available:
Episode 1: Uncovering a multi-million pound smuggling trade;
Episode 2: The curry killer: How Kew helped bring a murderer to justice;
Episode 3: Curious cures and mysterious medicines
