X-woman, who is this new type of human?

X-woman or Woman X (Denisova hominin in scientific terms) is the name given to what is reported to be a new type of human that lived among modern humans and Neanderthals. The discovery came about as the result of genetic testing from a pinky finger bone uncovered in a Siberian cave. You can read more about this freaky science find through this BBC News story.

Green moth on green door, evolution in action?

For several years I've been watching the colors of moths outside my front door on the yellow wall of my house. Although I did not photograph it, one day in June 02009 I saw a distinctive yellow moth unlike the dark or white colored moths that usually rest on the wall and sometimes the door. On July 4, 02009 I was absolutely stunned to see a green moth at rest on my green front door. I had never noticed green moths before. I would like an explanation around this phenomenon. Is this truly evolution in action?

Here are two photos I took, one of the whole door with the moth barely visible resting on the bottom trim of the top panel and the other an extreme closeup. Click on each photo to see a larger version.

[caption id="attachment_2780" align="aligncenter" width="141" caption="Green moth on green door"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2781" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Closeup of green moth on green door"][/caption]

Celebrating Evolution the Web Way, Searcher magazine, May 02009

My most recent article for Searcher: The Magazine for Database Professionals was published today. It's titled "Celebrating Evolution the Web Way" and commemorates the 200th anniversary of naturalist Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary in November 02009 of his book On the Origin of Species. The article is not online for free but will be available through ProQuest and other full-text commercial databases licensed by Information Today.

[caption id="attachment_2750" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Searcher magazine cover, May 02009"][/caption]

Why Darwin Matters to Creationists

Professor skeptic Michael Shermer blogs about a presentation he gave at the University of California at San Diego Biological Science Symposium on April 2, 02009 based on his book Why Darwin Matters and the reaction to his talk by " 'expelled' creationist Caroline Crocker" whose reaction to his talk she blogged about under the title "How Disappointing!" on the Access Research Network's blog The ID Update: News and Commentary Updates for the ID Community.

UK Archives Hub celebrates 150th anniversary of evolutionary scientist Charles Darwin

The UK Archives Hub is commemorating for the month of February 02009 the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's seminal book On the Origin of Species:

Collections of the Month: Charles Darwin and Evolution

This month we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the geologist and naturalist Charles Darwin, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his revolutionary book 'On the Origin of Species', which explained his theory of natural selection and evolution. We highlight descriptions for the papers of Charles Darwin and fellow scientists, and also for the papers of interested philosophers and clergymen.

Source: Archives & Archivists (A&A) List (02009 02 02)

For those who want to investigate the great man's research and publications in greater depth, the best online resource is The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. You'll also find on this site a useful list of Darwin 2009 Commemorations.

02009 also happens to be the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. He died in 1882. The National Register of Archives contains several references to archival records by or about Darwin. The UK Natural History Museum mounted a Charles Darwin exhibition in November 02008 that runs until April 19, 02009.