Two articles today
ISU professor, students studying invasive gypsy moth
This is a cool study. Some people might think that it's not worth it. Why study a moth? But I think that straightforward studies like this are one of the cores of science. They will test new methods and learn a little about movement patterns of species. Understanding the history of invasive species they might be able to determine how they are invading in the first place and what people can do to correct the situation without seriously impacting the non-invasive environment.
What they do not discuss in the article is exactly what remote sensing they are going to use. They can use any of the traditional spectrum, but I would be curious if they are using any of the new wind studies that are going on right now.
The Problem With Defining 'Downtown'
This article is interesting on several levels. I think the use of certain words to define our spatial context is interesting. I especially like the difference in the use of the word 'block'. Depending on where you live you might use the word differently. When I was living in Tucson people would use the block, but would mean light. So go up one block really meant go up one light. The lights could be as much as a mile away.
Defining downtown is similar. If you live in a major metropolis you might feel that downtown only applies to the downtown of the major city and not the downtown of the city you are actually in. This might even apply to regions that are not really in the metropolis. For example, I was in Bakersfield, California for a wedding and I was speaking to family who lived in the Los Angeles area. I was telling them how my wife and I went downtown for a few drinks. They automatically assumed that we meant downtown LA, a place hours away, versus the local downtown.
How we perceive our world is powerful. It often outweighs how the reality. Understanding how we perceive it and how other perceive it is an important part of working in a community.