New Tale of Primate Evolution – Lecture at HMNS

Houston Museum of Natural Science Lecture

Times Are A-Changin’: New Methods Tell a New Tale of Primate Evolution

Todd Disotell, Ph.D., New York University
Tuesday, February 9, 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by The Leakey Foundation
Sponsored by KUHF 88.7 FM
Recent advances in molecular genetics are radically changing ideas about the appearance of primates and the subsequent branching off of the major lineages. Previously, it was thought primates first appeared some 65 million years ago; now experts are proposing dates as far back as 80-90 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
The hazy image of our lineage provided by the fossil record is now coming into focus thanks to new molecular analytical techniques; researchers now have whole genome sequences representing at least one member of each major lineages and whole mitochondrial lineages of nearly every genus in the order Primates. It’s an exciting moment in the story of human and primates, as these data along with new analytical techniques suggest many divergences are more recent than traditionally thought.
Dr. Todd Disotell is a professor of anthropology and a molecular primatologist at New York University’s Center for the Study of Human Origins. Disotell, who has appeared on such popular television shows as “The Daily Show” and “MonsterQuest,” will discuss the use of molecular clocks and other contemporary analytical techniques and the exciting conclusions and questions they pose.

Anthropology Students will be attending.  Others interested should contact Dr. Ann Bragdon  ann.bragdon@hccs.edu

http://www.hmns.org/eventDetail.asp?id=1&xml=lectures2.xml&o=/education/adults/distinguished_lectures.asp

January 25, 2010 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment 

Don’t take another bite ’till you see this.

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009.

12:30 p.m. Film

Food, Inc. (2009)


HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE FOOD YOU BUY AT LOCAL SUPERMARKETS?

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Other than the “hunter-gatherers” of long ago, all human societies produce food.  What characterizes our industrialized food  system?
Did you know that the average food product travels about 1,500 miles to get to your grocery store? And that transporting food accounts for 30,800 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year – just one cost of the industrialized food production system basic to contemporary life in the United States?  ”We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won’t go bad, but we also have new strains of E.coli, the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.”
Come see Food, Inc. – expose’ of what we eat and how it is produced and who benefits.  (94 minutes.)

Link for study:  http://www.foodincmovie.com/about-the-film.php


November 6, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment 

The Public Commons & Access to Water

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009.
12:30 p.m. Film
FLOW: For Love of Water 2008

Introduction/Discussion by NWC Government Professor Donna Rhea

As suggested by W. B. Auden

“Thousands have lived without love; not one without water.”

Irena Salina’s documentary investigates the most important political and environmental situation of the 21st Century – the World Water Crisis.   In this expose’ we travel to Bolivia, South Africa, India, and Michigan and in all these places,  witness the the essential issues in the” water wars” -  privatization, pollution and profit.  The film shows people around the world who are being harmed by corporations which claim rights over their water.

An Award-Wining Film that profiles what Michael Klare calls “resource wars”. (93 minutes)

Link for study:  http://www.flowthefilm.com/

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October 29, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment 

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