Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The Mystery of DNA Explained


BBC Knowledge Explainer DNA from Territory on Vimeo.

BBC Knowledge and Learning is exploring a wide variety of topics from social history to science in a series of three-minute online Explainer documentaries, and commissioned Territory (territorystudio.com) to produce an animated film on the subject of DNA.

As Will Samuel, lead designer and animator on the project explains, the approach taken wasn’t just to look into a scientific future. “We needed to find a graphic style to communicate the beauty and intricacy of DNA. We wanted to create nostalgia; taking the audience back to the days of textbook diagrams and old science documentaries, such as Carl Sagan's COSMOS and IBM’s POWER OF TEN (1977). Using the double helix circular theme as a core design we focused on form, movement and colour to create a consistent flow to the animation, drawing on references from nature, illustrating how DNA is the core to everything around us.”

Three minutes is a short time to explore a subject where most doctorates only scratch the surface, so writer Andrew S. Walsh teamed up with molecular biologist Dr Matthew Adams to distil the script down to the most fundamental elements required to understand not only DNA’s form and function but how our understanding of these discoveries has affected the wider world. While this length may feel restrictive, the team found that this limitation acted as a lens, focusing the piece on the essentials.

The Explainer series is designed to intrigue and inform, encouraging those who discover the documentaries to further explore through links to additional information found on the BBC website.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Kentucky Derby Winners

California Chrome Kentucky Derby Winner


In honor of today's Kentucky Derby win by California Chrome, I thought I'd post a breakdown of past Triple Crown winners in the hopes that California Chrome makes his way onto that list.

Triple Crown winners

List of U.S. Triple Crown Winners
YearWinnerJockeyTrainerOwnerBreeder
1919Sir BartonJohnny LoftusH. Guy BedwellJ. K. L. RossJohn E. Madden
1930Gallant FoxEarl SandeJim FitzsimmonsBelair StudBelair Stud
1935OmahaWillie SaundersJim FitzsimmonsBelair StudBelair Stud
1937War AdmiralCharley KurtsingerGeorge H. ConwaySamuel D. RiddleSamuel D. Riddle
1941WhirlawayEddie ArcaroBen A. JonesCalumet FarmCalumet Farm
1943Count FleetJohnny LongdenDon CameronFannie HertzFannie Hertz
1946AssaultWarren MehrtensMax HirschKing RanchKing Ranch
1948CitationEddie ArcaroHorace A. JonesCalumet FarmCalumet Farm
1973SecretariatRon TurcotteLucien LaurinMeadow StableMeadow Stud
1977Seattle SlewJean CruguetWilliam H. Turner, Jr.Karen L. TaylorBen S. Castleman
1978AffirmedSteve CauthenLaz BarreraHarbor View FarmHarbor View Farm

Failed Triple Crown attempts

The following horses won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness but were beaten in the Belmont:
Good luck, California Chrome!