From Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall to Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren, older men and younger women have been getting together for years. According to a new paper in Biology Letters this week, the age difference gives the couples a reproductive boost.

The authors of the paper, themselves married, looked at a massive database of Swedish couples. In the couples where the age difference was about 5 years, they produced about 5% more children than same age couples. In addition, they analyzed divorces. Divorced men on average chose a younger woman. The paper claims a “fitness basis” in people’s choice of partner, lending to a natural selection effect over time.

Takeaway
Not much here, there isn’t enough data to make a connection over a long period of time. But hey, if you’re dating a younger woman or an older man…more power to you. Call me an evolutionary loser since my girlfriend is older.

More Info
Swedish Paper

Videos and pictures from the California Water Management cafe are up on the website.

Videos are also up on YouTube

Sea Level Rises
One of the chief global concerns with climate change is sea levels rising (melting polar caps and all). Since 1850, the Bay has risen a total of 7 inches. Best estimate based on expected climate change effects predicts a rise between 12 and 36 inches by 2100. That’s 2.5 to 8 times the expected rise rate. 1 to 3 feet doesn’t sound like much, so why be concerned? With the accelerated sea level rise, storm surge flood events are also to increase as well….as much as 10 fold.

In that scenario, check out good ol’ SFO:

Takeaway:
First and foremost, we’re not going to wake up and see SFO underwater. Though after some experiences there, that wouldn’t make me so sad. In reading the report, the most striking item is the uncertainty in sea level rise. Scientists just plain don’t know. What is true, sea level rise along with greater El Nino incidence = greater chance of flooding. And flood damage is the real headache.

More Info:
Chronicle Article on sea level rise
Extensive Sea Level Rise Maps

or None Like it Hot!

It’s been 6 months since starting this San Francisco science cafe called Down to a Science. It’s been a passion project, a means to start a social discourse from a scientific point of view. Here’s a good analogy: think of what Al Gore has done for climate change….he’s connected the public with the climate change scientists and their data. Look at the response: climate change is in the conversation all around us. I want to create similar dialogues on a grassroots level.

I quickly realized I needed to get a lot of content distributed. Reluctantly, I broke down and decided to join the blogosphere. But it’s been fantastic, reading and sharing scientific articles that relate to all of us (you won’t read about astronomy here). It’s been like sharing my favorite hobby with everyone. The blog is written solely by me with my “unique” point of view.

Over the past few months, I’ve found my entries to be lacking. I’ve got the scientific elements covered, but I’m missing the human element. I’m reaching out for personal stories related to topics covered at my cafe. I believe the personal shares will empower others to speak up as well, a catalyst of sorts. Will you be the catalyst for a positive conversation? The shares can be short, 10-15 minutes should cover it.

Get in touch with me, send me an email at info at sciencecafesf.com.