Columns Archives - Page 276 of 325

Common Science: Fungi of the Future

Posted by Jeff Danner | Oct 13, 2013 | Common Science

Last week in Part I of this series, I discussed some of the unique properties of fungi – yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. This week, I’ll explain why you will be hearing more and more about fungi in the future, particularly...

Some Things Worse Than A Government Shutdown

Posted by D.G. Martin | Oct 9, 2013 | D.G. Martin

How could it be worse? We ask ourselves this question as our government’s ability to lead our country disintegrates and we are mostly helpless to keep it from happening. Funny, though, that this concern can evaporate in...

Favorite Fall Fashion

Posted by Kristin Tucker | Oct 7, 2013 | The Fashion Plate

It’s official – autumn has arrived! What trends are you hoping make a comeback this fall? And what are you hoping stays in the closet of no return? Favorite tops for fall are all about embellishment. When the bling is built...

Your Sister the Mushroom

Posted by Jeff Danner | Oct 6, 2013 | Common Science

I previously published a column called “Your Mother the Plant” in which I discussed the nearly identical structures of chlorophyll, which absorbs carbon dioxide for plants, and hemoglobin, which absorbs oxygen for animals like...

Reverse The Curse (Of Low Voter Turnout)

Posted by The Commentators | Oct 4, 2013 | The Commentators

From Kristen Smith Want to spend long hours on Monday evenings discussing and debating meaty issues? Or Tuesday evenings talking and testing theories? Easy, just convince a few thousand folks to vote for you for Chapel Hill Town...

Obama and McCrory In The Same Box

Posted by D.G. Martin | Oct 1, 2013 | D.G. Martin

President Barack Obama and Governor Pat McCrory are in the same box. Criticized by their opponents for being radical and divisive, they are, at the same time, dismissed by partisans in their own political parties as too moderate...

Bacteria and Obesity, A Surprising Link

Posted by Jeff Danner | Sep 29, 2013 | Common Science

As a chemical engineer, I am naturally drawn to write columns about energy and manufacturing. However, if you have been reading my columns for a while you will have noticed that I keep coming back to topics concerning the vital...

Too Many Books, Not Enough Politics?

Posted by D.G. Martin | Sep 25, 2013 | D.G. Martin

“Aren’t you writing about politics anymore?” a newspaper editor asked me the other day. I stuttered because I have been writing more about books than politics lately. The editor continued, “Are you a little gun-shy from that...

A World Without Fossil Fuels

Posted by Jeff Danner | Sep 23, 2013 | Common Science

Our world is dominated by fossil fuels. They make our electricity, heat our homes, power our cars, and are changing our climate. As a student of both science and history, I sometimes wonder what the world would be like today if...

Democracy, The Power Elite, And The State Senate Race

Posted by Aaron Keck | Sep 20, 2013 | Aaron Keck

Was the recent State Senate appointment kerfuffle an exception to the rule in local democracy? Or was it closer to the rule than we’d like to think?

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