Science & Technology Policy Fellowships Find a Home in the Judiciary
Since 2014, the program has placed four fellows at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington. Their presence is small compared to the hundreds of fellows deployed to the federal legislative and executive branches, but the judicial fellows already have made a significant impact, said James Eaglin, who directs the Center's research division and serves as mentor to the policy fellows.
Fellows Make a Foray into the Judiciary
While more than three thousand AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows have brought scientific and engineering expertise to the legislative and executive branches of the federal government during the past four decades, only recently have some found a home in its third branch. The first STPF judicial fellow was a member of the class of 2014-2015.
Podcast Shorts: Why STPF? Why you? Why now?
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows (STPF) share their responses to some important questions: Why have scientists and engineers in government? Why become a fellow? Why now? Each month leading up to the November 1 application deadline, we will feature short podcasts with fellows sharing their perspectives.
National Geographic Magazine, July 2017
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Current Biology Dispatch: Visual neuroscience: unique neural system for flight stabilization in hummingbirds; Michael R. Ibbotson; January 23, 2017
CBC Quirks and Quarks: How do hummingbirds avoid 50 km/h collisions?; Andrea Gaede interviewed by Bob MacDonald; January 7, 2017
For Hummingbirds, the World Moves as Fast as They Do
smithsonian.com In the blink of a human eye, a hummingbird can beat its wing dozens of time, dive out of sight and even catch flying insects in midair. How is it possible for these tiny creatures to keep track of the world moving around them?
Science explains why humans may never see the world through a hummingbird's eyes
Hummingbirds don't see the world like you or me. And it turns out they don't see it in the same way as any other known bird, mammal or reptile, either. In a study published Thursday in Current Biology, scientists reveal that the humming bird's pea-sized brain processes visual cues in a way that may be unique in the animal kingdom.
The Mighty Hummingbird Can Perceive Motion From Every Angle
Hummingbirds live their lives at breakneck speed. They beat their wings 70 to 80 times per second-earning them the "humming" part of their name-and can reach flight speeds of up to 60 mph. They even eat fast. When drinking nectar from a flower they can get 13 licks inside of one second.
How Hummingbirds Sense Movement While Hovering
FLICKR, MICK THOMPSON Hummingbirds are efficient hoverers, suspending their bodies midair using rapid forward and backward strokes. Aside from their unique ability to hover, the tiny avians are also the only known birds that can fly in any direction, including sideways. Hummingbird brains appear to be adapted for this flying ability, researchers have now shown.