Posts by Michael E. Stora, Ph.D,

World's OLDEST human DNA found in leg bone – but that's not the only boning going on...

Hominid but Human?

I thought Cro-Magnon plus a certain Je ne sais quois (some aspect of our better or worse nature) equaled "Human" and the others were "Hominids". We can probably find some relief in the fact that the question is academic. Not sure were they all went but I didn't kill them (or the non-Je ne sais quois Cro-Magnons) and neither did you.

On the matter of shooting down Amazon delivery drones with shotguns

Lead birdshot still allowed for non-migratory game

Non-toxic shot is required for hunting migratory game birds (like ducks) because they fall under Federal jurisdiction and the Federal law applies. Lead birdshot for hunting non-migratory birds and small mammals is commonly available. Tungsten shot can be around a couple dollars a shell. Even where not required the Tungsten composite alloys' greater density and hardness (they remain more round despite the violence of discharge) allow the use of very tight chokes for hunting predators like coyote and bobcat at 70 yards or more (~65+ meters). Special shot intermediate in size between birdshot and buckshot (between 5 and 6mm) sell for $4 per shell in quantity (more in smaller boxes). It's not cheap but does not require one to be wealthy.

Terror cops swoop on couple who Googled 'backpacks' and 'pressure cooker'

The story has been updated. It was the dad's employer who called the local police department based on his at work searches.

Ultimate Radio Deathmatch: US Navy missile-defence radar vs 4G mobile mast

This headline is so much more sexy than "Cell phone compatibility to be tested with 40 year-old Navy S-band radar".

RAF Eurofighter Typhoons 'beaten by Pakistani F-16s'

Be careful with interpretation

Despite some national pride in the F-16 modernization program (programme on your side of the pond?), I wish to point out that one needs to be very careful when it come to interpreting leaks from exercises or war games. The way these are set up, "Blue Team" is supposed to beat "Red Team" most of the time. Everything important is in the details of the scenarios run.