Chicken or the egg...
Is it possible to hire more women and minorities in university positions as role models when there aren't that many quality candidates? Across the science disciplines, including engineering, women hold from 3 percent to 15 percent of full professorships in the U.S. For example, according to a report, "A National Analysis of Diversity in Science and Engineering Faculties at Research Universities" by Donna Nelson and Diana Rogers, women earned nearly 45% of doctorates in the biological sciences between 1993 and 2002 but held only 30% percent of entry-level assistant professor’s jobs. So if there are plenty of women and minorities in the programs, why aren't they being hired? Read about the research here.

Another study about women in engineering in the southern California area can be found here.

This kind of gender lag is also appearing on technical companies board of directors as reported this week in the Kansas City Star.

So why all these discrepancies in technical fields? Is it because women make less money than men? Is it because many may take time off to raise a family? Or is it just fighting the old boy network? Maybe a combination of all of the above. Drop me a note at dnonline@reedbusiness.com and dish.

- posted by Paula Porter @ 8:28 AM

 
First outsourcing overseas, now robots
Taking over our jobs? Scientific American and Nature today both have stories about a British-created robotic scientist. This system can form theories, come up with experiments to then prove those theories, and carry out the experiments. No humans needed.

And a big Happy Birthday to SSN 571 Nautilus, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. Say what? It's the world's first nuclear-powered sub.
- posted by Paula Porter @ 8:11 AM

 
Cutting the cheese
Sorry, couldn't help it, but a story in Tuesday's Chicago Trib just lends itself to this intro! A mechanical engineering prof at University of Wisconsin-Madison has found a way to cut cheese with a laser. Channel 4000 , a site out of Minnesota, has pictures of precisely cut cheese and a little more detail on the story.
- posted by Paula Porter @ 8:00 AM

 
Avoid EPA fuel limits
When is an Suburu Outback not an Outback? When Suburu decides to do a little redesignning to make it a light truck. Light trucks will have to average only 21.2 miles a gallon in the 2005 model year, but passenger cars must average 27.5 miles a gallon. Check out the article in today's NY Times.

Also in today's auto news is GM's recall of nearly 800,000 vehicles with power steering problems.

And Windows are now more than what you see out of in your car. Check out what Microsoft has planned for your car with their new Tbox concept. Engineers did a prototype for around $100 and it hooks right up to your car's on-board computers.
- posted by Paula Porter @ 10:02 AM