What Is Early Word? The Philadelphia Inquirer's experimental online "morning show", which began in Sept. 2005, went on hiatus in the summer of 2006, after a gradual shift to putting more of its content directly on Philly.com.
About the Host Peter Mucha, husband and father of two, grew up in Cherry Hill and is a lifelong Philly sports fan. He's been writing and editing for The Inquirer for 18 years.
His motto (at least for today): "If I'm not brief, give me grief." View Blogger profile.
Tip on posting comments: After you click a comment link, select "other" or "anonymous" in the pop-up box. That way, you won't be asked for a password.
The Inquirer's ever-evolving way to start your day. Email. Phone: 215-854-2388.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Measuring Ants' Heads Drives Researchers Nuts
"One of my master's students quit graduate school after the 4,000th head-width measurement. Her own head slightly unstable on her neck, she bumped into the doorjamb on her way out," writes Walter Tschinkel in an oh-by-the-way essay in his book The Fire Ants. Another student pioneered a better way: "Pulverize the ants into powder, pick out heads," as the New York Times' James Gorman puts it, and nudge each noggin into his "wedge micrometer." Gorman's point? "It's time for readers of scientific journals to rise up and demand interludes, anecdotes, even jokes in scientific papers. " More of the essay on the essay.
"One of my master's students quit graduate school after the 4,000th head-width measurement. Her own head slightly unstable on her neck, she bumped into the doorjamb on her way out," writes Walter Tschinkel in an oh-by-the-way essay in his book The Fire Ants. Another student pioneered a better way: "Pulverize the ants into powder, pick out heads," as the New York Times' James Gorman puts it, and nudge each noggin into his "wedge micrometer." Gorman's point? "It's time for readers of scientific journals to rise up and demand interludes, anecdotes, even jokes in scientific papers. " 
