The Pew Research Center recently published its annual survey of science attitudes and knowledge, polling several thousand members of the American public and the scientific community (report summary | full pdf report).  The survey covers quite a spectrum, including public & scientist views on climate change, evolution, scientific achievements, religion, and the state of science funding. The public survey also included a 12-question quiz designed to sample respondents’ science knowledge.

The report overview paints a fairly rosy picture of the public’s perception of science:

Americans like science. Overwhelming majorities say that science has had a positive effect on society and that science has made life easier for most people. Most also say that government investments in science, as well as engineering and technology, pay off in the long run. And scientists are very highly rated compared with members of other professions: Only members of the military and teachers are more likely to be viewed as contributing a lot to society’s well-being.

However, scientists’ view of the public’s scientific knowledge is not nearly as flattering. (Read more…)

The Associated Press is reporting that thousands of jumbo flying squid, also known as Humboldt squid or, more alarmingly, “red devils,” are showing up in the shallow waters off the coast of San Diego, taking a number of divers by surprise.

Jumbo squid are usually found in much deeper, tropical waters off the coasts of Mexico and Central America. It isn’t clear yet why they’ve come to California, but this isn’t the first time they’ve taken the trip. Similar incidents were reported in 2002 and 2005. In fact, researchers believe they may have established a population in nearby, deeper waters, possibly due to a change in the number of their prey or predators. Similarly, the squid were likely drawn into the shallower areas as they followed their food.

The swarm presents a rare opportunity for divers to see these amazing creatures up close. However, the “red devils” are known for attacking humans- San Diego divers report being grabbed and knocked around. One even captured the near-theft of his camera light on video.

Many media outlets are referring to the squid’s arrival as an “invasion.” However, as at least one astute commenter pointed out, just who is invading whose territory isn’t exactly clear.

Researchers in the United Kingdom have succeeded in coaxing human embryonic stem cells into becoming sperm. Though the process is inefficient and there is some debate over whether the sperm are fully developed, this work will hopefully lead to a much-needed experimental system for understanding the biology of sperm development.

The more controversial and longer-term outcome, as suggested by the lead researcher, Dr. Karim Nayernia, is that stem cells might one day be used to generate sperm as a treatment for male infertility.

It’s worth pointing out that the same researcher accomplished a similar feat in 2006 using mouse embryonic stem cells to produce mouse sperm.  Only in this case, the experiment was taken one step farther – the sperm were injected into mouse eggs.  Though the mothers gave birth to live pups, they suffered from many abnormalities. All died within 5 months.

This example illustrates the technical and ethical challenges in moving reproductive technologies from the lab to the clinic. There really isn’t an easy path. It also should serve as a reminder that the United States needs to address the relative vacuum in efficacy, safety, and ethical oversight for the rapidly developing field of reproductive technology (a ~$10 billion/yr industry).

In the UK, reproductive technologies are closely regulated at the federal level by a governing body known as the Human Fertilisation and Embrology Authority (HFEA). The UK has carefully crafted rules on the research and clinical use of gametes (sperm/eggs), human cloning, genetic technologies as applied to human embryos or gametes, etc. In this case, any procreative use of sperm created from stem cells is prohibited.

In the United States there are few rules. The practice of medicine, by and large, is regulated at the state level. Our federal government leaders have been unwilling to call for a national discussion on implementing uniform rules for gamete donation, embryo creation, research, storage, etc. (a report from the 2004 Presidential Council on Bioethics notwithstanding). In fact, when Canada passed its Assisted Human Reproduction Act in 2004, it left the United States as one of the few developed nations without a national policy.

The result has been lax medical oversight, introduction of new technologies without sufficient studies on safety, and a piecemeal collection of rules.

The progress coming from the UK reminds us that we need to have a national discussion soon.

The New York Times has an interesting article on the science of glass, profiling the newly-opened attraction at the Sears Tower, “The Ledge.”  Only three panes of glass separate you from the street some 1300 feet below.

Needless to say, a lot of thought, engineering, and safety precautions went into building this attraction.  The article has a nice graphic illustrating the engineering that went into building the glass box.

If anyone has been out on the Ledge, I’d be interested to hear about your experience.

It’s worth noting that the Sears Tower Skydeck is part of the Chicago Citypass program, which bundles dicsounted admission to four of Chicago’s best museums (Museum and Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum) with a visit to the Hancock Observatory or the Sears Skydeck.

Have a look at this video showing some not-so-everyday-lifeforms from the bowels of the Raleigh, NC sewer:

The Deep Sea News blog contacted an expert in invertebrates, who offered his opinion – they’re annelid worms, also known as the sludge worm or sewage worm.

The Deep Sea site also has video of the worms in less nasty surrounds.

Gives new meaning to the term “biodiversity,” doesn’t it?