Letters to the Editor
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19448
I just read “Deception Detection” and I must say that I am surprised that no one used high-limit poker players to analyze if a person is bluffing. The art of poker is calling people on their bluffs. Martin J. WagnerIndiana University A successful poker player must be able to bluff successfully, at least on occasion, […]
- Humans
Letters from the July 31, 2004, issue of Science News
More than child’s play? While reading about the amazing properties of Archimedes’ Stomachion (“Glimpses of Genius,” SN: 5/15/04, p. 314: Glimpses of Genius), I wondered whether a mere child’s toy would exhibit such mathematical precision, with each vertex falling on a lattice point of a 12-by-12 grid. Perhaps Archimedes took the basic plan of the […]
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19447
I have been puzzled at the consternation over the findings in this article. It’s common knowledge among people who treat patients with major depression that the time of greatest risk for suicide is when depression begins to lift. The person finally has more energy and mental focus but may still feel awful. Resolved never to […]
- Humans
Letters from the July 24, 2004, issue of Science News
Whee! I can pretty easily tell what was going through the kiddo’s mind while trying “in vain to scoot down a miniature slide” (“Toddlers’ Supersize Mistakes: At times, children play with the impossible,” SN: 5/15/04, p. 308: Toddlers’ Supersize Mistakes: At times, children play with the impossible). 1. “Slides are fun. Why not pretend to […]
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19446
This article shouldn’t make parents any less wary of allowing their children to come in contact with the chromated-copper arsenate wood structures. What children pick up on their hands from a deck or play set may wind up inside via hand-to-mouth transfers. John Peterson MyersWhite Hall, Va.
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19445
The cover type “Farewell to Hubble?” makes me wonder why we haven’t seen the headline “Farewell to the Current NASA Administrator?” The only reason I have heard for the cancellation of the planned servicing mission is “it’s too dangerous.” Almost anything worth accomplishing has some degree of danger associated with it. The administrator is just […]
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19444
Might donating blood reduce blood concentrations of organochlorines, once the body has time to regenerate blood? Bill WallerDallas, Texas Researchers Catherine Pelletier and Angelo Tremblay of Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec, say this question is interesting but that the small quantity of donated blood wouldn’t significantly affect the overall concentration of organochlorines .—C. Lock
- Humans
Letters from the July 17, 2004, issue of Science News
Readers on reading Other librarians and I regularly discuss illiterate, functional, aliterate, and avid readers. I am pleased that research has begun into what happens in readers’ brains (“Words in the Brain: Reading program spurs neural rewrite in kids,” SN: 5/8/04, p. 291: Words in the Brain: Reading program spurs neural rewrite in kids). The […]
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19443
Not to detract from this project’s accomplishments or its potential, but does space really need tourists? It’s not a sideshow. It will still be dangerous and expensive. Assuming that space travel will be like today’s airline travel is mistaken, especially in the near term. Let’s remember that this project’s success so far also rests on […]
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19442
This article didn’t mention that professional journals usually charge exorbitant page charges, require that a paper be sent in a format that can be directly typeset, and price print and electronic subscriptions identically. What I conclude from this is that greed is as prevalent at professional societies as it is in the commercial world. Edmond […]
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19441
This otherwise well-written and fascinating article contains an error. You write, “Because magnesium is more strongly attracted to oxygen than to silicon, magnesium atoms elbow out the silicon . . . .” The correct statement would be, “Because magnesium is more strongly attracted to oxygen than silicon is attracted to oxygen, magnesium atoms elbow out […]
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19440
While heart disease victim Jody Gorran’s lawsuit against the Atkins empire will be decided in court, the deadlier battle is being waged in the research laboratory. Several studies confirm that low-carbohydrate diets cause marked cholesterol elevations for many individuals. In contrast, a vegetarian diet high in soluble fiber and soy protein can lower serum cholesterol […]
