Sunday, August 31, 2008

Understanding Creationism Sat Dec 13 at 1:30 pm


Saturday, Dec 13, 1:30 pm
Public & FREE

Mary McCutcheon, Ph.D., George Mason University (Retired)

National Science Foundation, Room 110
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA
*

Why do so many people embrace creationism and reject evolution? What are their arguments? How does creationism promote community and address peoples' concerns about education, the rearing of good children, and the perceived dangerous consequences of evolutionary thinking?


Mary McCutcheon, Ph.D.
(University of Arizona) taught in the Anthropology Department at George Mason University from 1988 to 2004. Prior to that she worked at the Smithsonian Institution in the Directorate of International Affairs. Earlier she taught at the University of Guam. She does research on land and marine resource ownership in the Palau Islands of Micronesia. Over the years, while teaching at GMU, and in retirement, she has refined this popular lecture, and related talks, to develop better understanding about the surge of religiosity in our society.

* NSF is one block south of the Ballston-Marymount University metro stop on the Orange Line. For most drivers the easiest route is to exit Route 66 onto Fairfax Dr. eastbound to N. Stuart Street. Enter the NSF building at the corner of N. Stuart Street and 9th St. N. Parking is available in the Ballston Common mall, in the NSF building, and at other area parking lots and garages. Metered parking is also available on the surrounding streets. (Map)

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Autism & Vaccines:
How Bad Science Confuses the Press & Harms the Public


Saturday, Nov 8,
1:30 pm
Public & FREE (Flyer)


Steven Salzberg, Ph.D.,University of Maryland
Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

National Science Foundation, Room 110
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA *



Ten years ago, an article appeared in the medical journal The Lancet that suggested a link between autism and the vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella. The article was widely cited in the popular press in England, and vaccination rates began to fall. Further investigations revealed that the data in the study had been manipulated, and that the principal scientist had a major conflict of interest, with the result that 10 of his 12 co-authors repudiated the study's findings.

Numerous scientific studies since 1998, all done in response to the original Lancet article, have failed to find any link between autism and vaccines. Despite this, a few scientists and doctors continue to push the connection, often accompanying their claims with promises of "alternative" treatments for autism. The press keeps the issue alive by reporting "the controversy," often accompanying their reports with emotional testimonials from parents, including several celebrities. As a consequence of this publicity, vaccination rates are now falling in the United States, leading to alarming new outbreaks of diseases.

Scientists and skeptics need to act to quell the rumors and educate the public, so that vaccines, one of the greatest medical successes in history, remain an effective tool in our fight against disease.


Dr. Steven Salzberg is the Director of the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology and the Horvitz Professor of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. From 1997 to 2005 he was at The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) in Rockville, Maryland, where he had a leading role in projects to sequence the DNA of many pathogens, including the anthrax bacteria used in the 2001 attacks. He contributed computational tools and analysis to the Human Genome Project and to projects decoding the genomes of many other animals and plants. His group's computational tools are used around the world in a wide range of genome sequencing projects today. His current genomics projects include a large-scale study of the influenza virus, the development of new DNA sequencing technology, and studies of the bacteria living inside the human body. Dr. Salzberg received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Yale University and his Ph.D. from Harvard University. (home page)


* NSF is one block south of the Ballston-Marymount University metro stop on the Orange Line. For most drivers the easiest route is to exit Route 66 onto Fairfax Dr. eastbound to N. Stuart Street. Enter the NSF building at the corner of N. Stuart Street and 9th St. N. Parking is available in the Ballston Common mall, in the NSF building, and at other area parking lots and garages. Metered parking is also available on the surrounding streets. (Map)

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Nov 12 UMD Bioscience Day Honors Charles Darwin






Celebrating Darwin at 200:

Evolution and 21st Century Science

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
University of Maryland, College Park

Information and Free Registration

Highlights include:

Bioscience Research & Technology Review Day is a special event that features research talks, presentations, mini-symposia and demonstrations by university scientists. The program provides a unique opportunity for executives and professionals in industry and government to discover the most recent advances in bioscience and biotechnology at the University of Maryland; to promote the potential for academic-industry-government collaboration; to meet University scientists and interact with graduate student researchers; to network with colleagues who share an interest in the promotion of bioscience and the bioscience industry; and to recruit employees and investigate job opportunities.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Defining Normal: Sex and Gender Misconceptions


Saturday,
Oct 11, 1:30 pm
Public & FREE
-- No RSVP (Flyer)

Karen North
(Handouts)

Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD
(near Bethesda metro) FREE Parking (*)

Most people think that there are only two sexes, that these two sexes are easy to distinguish, and that gender is just another word for sex. None of these beliefs are true. This talk will explain the confusion, demonstrate the distinctions, and clarify the differences between Sexual Identity, Sexual Orientation, Gender Expression, and Gender Identity.

(*) Parking at the library is free, but you must enter your parking space number into a kiosk in the lobby. Parking is automatically validated for two hours -- no need to return to your car. Your parking validation is extended for two hours each time your parking space number is entered at the kiosk.

Image credit

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Drinking Skeptically with NCAS Wed Nov 5 at 7 pm

Drinking Skeptically Comes to the DC Area!
The first DC-area Drinking Skeptically event!

Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m
Jackie’s Restaurant (map)
8081 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
http://www.jackiesrestaurant.com

What is Drinking Skeptically, you may ask? (You are a skeptic after all, questions are expected.) Drinking Skeptically is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and networking among skeptics, critical thinkers, and like-minded individuals. It provides an opportunity for skeptics to talk, share ideas (and yes, drink) in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. We discuss the issues of the day and whatever else is on our minds. But most of all, we have fun while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality. Don’t drink? Don’t let that stop you from joining us! Some of the world’s most famous skeptics are teetotalers, and we are happy to have you! Remember that drinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. If there’s one thing science has taught us, it’s the effects of alcohol on the human body. http://www.drinkingskeptically.org

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The Alien Grey: An Unnatural History


Saturday,
Sep 13, 1:30 - 4 pm (Note New Time)
Public & FREE
-- No RSVP (Flyer)

Richard Dengrove
U.S. Department of Agriculture Librarian
NCAS Member since 1987


Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD
(near Bethesda metro) FREE Parking (*)

The Alien Grey is associated with flying saucers, and flying saucer advocates want to keep it that way. They wish for you to believe that it is an objective phenomenon and not a cultural artifact. However, the Alien Grey has had another life – in novels, short stories, movies and TV. Also, there is more to this talk than the title suggests: I am not going to talk only about the Alien Grey but also the Future Man Grey and the MadScientist Grey. Each one is a kissing cousin of the others. Greys can come from under the ground as well. What the Grey does is try to answer questions often touted as deeply philosophical. However, I suspect the Grey strikes a chord in our emotions, and the answers the Grey gives as popular art and pulp are more satisfying than any philosophical tome.

(*) Parking at the library is free, but you must enter your parking space number into a kiosk in the lobby. Parking is automatically validated for two hours -- no need to return to your car. Your parking validation is extended for two hours each time your parking space number is entered at the kiosk.