Rosetta and the Language of Hope — An interesting story at the intersection of linguistics and astronomy.

A blueprint to regenerate limbs — Studying salamander genomes for a clue to human regeneration. Didn’t Frank Herbert write about this?

Bad Astronomy on the rise of measles in the US due to the anti-vaccination movement — Longtime readers may recall that this form of social parasitism is a particular hot button of mine.

Freakonomics on preventing gun deaths — Money shot: “The elevation of the gun to sacred political status explains in part why 30,000 annual gun deaths have not given rise to anything like the complex regulation of, for example, the automobile or pharmaceuticals.”

8/23/08
Time in saddle: n/a (40 minute brisk walk)
Last night’s weigh-out: n/a
This morning’s weigh-in: 240.6
Currently reading: The Avatar by Poul Anderson

Originally published at jlake.com. You can comment here or there.