C&B Notes: Science
Brain Freeze & Migraines
May 1, 2012
Scientists have discovered a creative way to use 'brain freeze' to explore treatments for migraine headaches.
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Of Data & Certainty
March 23, 2012
One of the cornerstones of our investment process is attempting to identify and correctly interpret the information that would disprove our thesis on or ideas about a business. We intentionally focus on why we might be wrong in order to counteract cognitive biases, including the human tendency towards ‘certainty.’ Robert Seawright explores this idea in a recent blog post, which also reminded us of the value of Karl Popper’s ideas on falsifiability for the investment process.
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Einstein’s Complete Archives Go Online
March 20, 2012
Albert Einstein's complete archives – from personal correspondence with half a dozen lovers to notebooks scribbled with his groundbreaking research – are going online for the first time.
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Probing the Brain’s Mysteries
February 23, 2012
New techniques, including advances in brain scans and interconnected databases, are helping to reveal the hidden anatomy of brain wiring. With these efforts, scientists are trying to revolutionize their understanding of how thoughts, memories, and emotions are formed.
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Bill Gates’ Annual Letter
February 6, 2012
Mr. Gates provides an update on his work in health, poverty, and education.
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When Stress Is Good for You
January 24, 2012
A little stress is helpful for peak performance, but too much can literally shut down the brain.
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A Fortunate Surprise in the Gulf of Mexico
January 18, 2012
Systems are frequently much more complicated than people typically assume on first glance. In this case, thank goodness. As investors, however, we try to be especially watchful of this psychological misjudgment.
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A Gut Check for Many Ailments
January 17, 2012
The complexity of the human body continues to challenge scientists. We expect this reality to endure.
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Thermodynamics at Work
January 11, 2012
The debate rages on in the diet industry about the best way to control weight. Fads come and go, but – this study maintains – the key idea behind maintaining a healthy weight is basic and well-established: balance calories consumed against calories expended.
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The Day I Saw Van Gogh’s Genius in a New Light
January 3, 2012
Kanzunori Asada reflects on his enlightening Van Gogh observation. Was Van Gogh partially colorblind?
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Update on CERN and Einstein
December 23, 2011
We recently wrote about the Physics-rattling finding at CERN on the Swiss/French border. Neutrinos that were sent 450 miles through the earth appeared to travel faster than the speed of light, which would invalidate Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Whether this actually happened or was some measurement error is an ongoing topic of debate, which is likely to continue for awhile.
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Higgs Boson Confirmation Nears
December 19, 2011
Scientists have indicated that they have confirmed the existence of the Higgs Boson. Going by the memorable nickname “God particle,” the Higgs Boson is theorized to be the elementary particle that gives everything in the Universe its mass.
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