The Economist presents a thorough primer on what’s going on at Japan’s failed nuclear energy facilities–the science, technology, obstacles, crises, and solutions are all explained well. A good read if you want a high-level overview of the terrible situation there.…
I just learned that Google is hosting a world-wide science fair this year. Thought about entering, but you have to be under 18 to submit. Looks cool though! And makes me wonder…how many things can Google do?! >> Link: Google…
If you’re wondering what this wide-angle view of the universe tells us… …read on: How did we get here? : Starts With A Bang
Scientists announced today that “life” as we know it may not be…well, as we knew it. A microbe was discovered that uses arsenic to replicate and grow (no phosphorous in its DNA)–changing the notions of what the fundamental building blocks…
Exciting news today as scientists announce the successful entrapment of antimatter. According to Nature: [A] research collaboration at CERN, Europe’s particle-physics lab near Geneva, Switzerland, has managed, 38 times, to confine single antihydrogen atoms in a magnetic trap for more…
After wondering for years about how curveballs curve and breaking balls break, we can finally rest easy knowing that the rules of physics are not being violated on the pitchers mound! ScienceNOW reports on how curveballs are the mental effects…
This is like magnifying glasses and ants, only a mega casino is the magnifying glass and tourists are the ants. Somewhere in that analogy there’s poetry… Check out how the hot Las Vegas sun gets intensified to fry sunbathers at…
Astronomers report that they’ve found a rocky planet with an atmosphere that could support life — and it’s orbiting a star only 20 light years from our Sun. (Apologies to any extra-terrestrial readers for my heliocentric slant.) >> Link: Astronomers…
For anyone who’s ever been fascinated by science fair projects or Hollywood prop departments (I fall into both categories), you’ll appreciate this video from the New York Times. Diann Duthie is the art director for “The Dr. Oz Show” —…
As the eruption of Iceland’s volcano Eyjafjallajokull (a nightmare for both airlines and non-Icelandic newscasters) has shut down all of northern Europe’s air travel, the New Scientist presents a nice primer on why and how volcanic ash threatens aircraft: Volcanic…