For the first time, a private company will launch a rocket to the International Space Station, sending it on a grocery run this weekend that could be the shape of things to come for America's space program.
'Ring of Fire' eclipse visible from China to Texas
Sunrises and sunsets often dazzle, but they'll have a special ring to them in a few days for people in the western United States and eastern Asia: The moon will slide across the sun, blocking everything but a blazing halo of light.
And the heat goes on. Forecasters predict toasty temperatures will stretch through the summer in the U.S. And that's a bad sign for wildfires in the West.
Soyuz capsule with 3 crew docks with space stationA Russian-made Soyuz craft carrying three astronauts has docked with the International Space Station, putting the crew in place for the imminent arrival of the first ever privately owned cargo ship to the orbiting lab.
Unneeded Erection Pills Can Mess With Users' HeadsYoung men who take erectile dysfunction drugs for fun may damage their sex lives, a new study suggests.
Paralyzed, Moving a Robot With Their MindsScientists said a tiny brain implant allowed two people who are virtually paralyzed below the neck to manipulate a robotic arm.
Rare Genetic Mutations May Underpin DiseasesBecause the mutations are so rare, costly studies involving large numbers of patients would be needed to identify their role in each disease.
Side Effects: The Ray and the Coconut: Tracing Life on Palmyra AtollResearch that illuminated a delicate ecological chain of birds, trees, soil, plankton and manta rays inspires contemplation of the unknown circles of life that may be disrupted by human activity.
Scientist at Work Blog: Whistle Recognition in Bottlenose DolphinsResearchers in Sarasota Bay, Fla., test whether dolphins' heart rates change when they hear different signature whistles.
Side Effects: Microscopic Neighbors, Evolving TogetherA novel experiment sought to demonstrate that how different living things in a community bump up against one another affects how they evolve.
Boca Sanibeni Journal: Dam Project Would Displace Villages in Jungle Valley of PeruA hydroelectric dam supported by the country?s president would send thousands of people to live elsewhere.
Electric Imp Lets You Control All Your Stuff RemotelyFinally, a feasible way to start brewing coffee from bed and preheat the oven from the grocery store.
200-Year-Old Shipwreck Found Off Gulf CoastThe ship's wood has nearly disintegrated, but a copper sheathing remains, along with a variety of artifacts.
New exception to a decades-old rule about RNA splicing uncoveredThere are always exceptions to a rule, even one that has prevailed for more than three decades, as demonstrated by a new study on RNA splicing, a cellular editing process. The rule-flaunting exception uncovered by the study concerns the way in which a newly produced RNA molecule is cut and pasted at precise locations called splice sites before being translated into protein.
Ancient history of circumarctic peoples illuminatedScientists have discovered new information about the migration patterns of the first humans to settle the Americas. The studies identify the historical relationships among various groups of Native American and First Nations peoples and present the first clear evidence of the genetic impact of the groups' cultural practices.
Phase I clinical trial shows drug shrinks melanoma brain metastasesAn experimental drug targeting a common mutation in melanoma successfully shrank tumors that spread to the brain in nine out of 10 patients in part of an international phase I clinical trial report.
Bioinformatics: We can learn a lot from other speciesResearchers have confirmed the long-held belief that studying the genes we share with other animals is useful. The study shows how bioinformatics makes it possible to test the fundamental principles on which life science is built.
Giant galaxy-packed filament revealedAstronomers have discovered a giant, galaxy-packed filament ablaze with billions of new stars. The filament is the first structure of its kind spied in a critical era of cosmic buildup when colossal collections of galaxies called superclusters began to take shape. The glowing galactic bridge offers astronomers a unique opportunity to explore how galaxies evolve and merge to form superclusters.
Slew of rare DNA changes following population explosion may hold clues to common diseasesScientists have taken a first step toward understanding how rare genetic differences among people contribute to leading chronic illnesses. One-letter DNA code changes occur frequently in human genomes, but each variant is usually found in only a few individuals. This phenomenon is consistent with the population explosion of the past 5,000 years. Studying the evolution of rare genetic variants and their health impact is critical as low cost, rapid sequencing enters clinical use. Such information would help doctors interpret personal genomes.
Religion is a potent force for cooperation and conflict, research showsAcross history and cultures, religion increases trust within groups but also may increase conflict with other groups, according to a new analysis.
Job Killer? Try Bottom Line Booster: Workplace Safety Inspections Save Money, Jobs, Limbs
Image courtesy of iStockphoto/lisafx
Costly safety upgrades, nitpicky government inspection and resulting fines are often blamed as being bad for business. But a new study shows that when government job-safety inspectors make a surprise visit, they actually enable companies to save money and jobs for years to come.
When's the last time you treated yourself to a new mobile app? Okay, when's the last time you actually paid for an app? If you're like me, the answer was never. At least not until a few nights ago, when I sprang for an app called "Cholesterol Food Reference.” It lists different foods and their cholesterol content. Free apps are okay for following sports or movies, but this is a little more serious and, to me, worth the $2 asking price.
Turns out you’re not just what you eat. You’re when you eat. Because a new study in mice suggests that, in the battle of the bulge, the timing of meals influences the piling on of pounds.
DOWNERS GROVE TOWNSHIP, Ill. -- With current battery systems reaching their performance limits, researchers are scrutinizing every component of lithium-ion cells in order to develop energy storage mechanisms that can make electric vehicles better competitors to fossil-fueled engines.
The Backbone of the Electric System: A Legacy of Coal and the Challenge of Renewables
Energy policy and clean energy may be political hot buttons this year, but the technological realities and challenges to achieving energy and environmental goals are seldom discussed. There is strong public sentiment that the U.S. should decrease our reliance on fossil fuels because of concerns about pollution, global warming, ecosystem damage, and energy security. Although a domestically abundant energy source, coal power is imputed as being a major contributor to smog, acid rain, and global warming . High-profile accidents associated with coal mining and coal ash management have further damaged coal s reputation. Grass-roots campaigns to replace coal as a major source of electricity claim that wind, solar, and geothermal power could replace retired coal capacity .
In 2011, 42% of the electricity generated in the U.S. was from coal, according to the Energy Information Administration . Although coal generation for 2012 is projected to fall 15 percent , coal is still expected to represent a significant percent of the nation s generating capacity through 2035. Reducing reliance on coal faces challenges beyond policy and market economics. What are the technical constraints of the U.S. electric generating system, what role does coal power play, and how can we further incorporate renewable energy sources?
Rocket Launch Saturday Is One Giant Leap for Commercial SpaceflightSpaceX's upcoming test flight could be a defining moment for the commercial spaceflight industry.
BATTLESHIP Director Talks Adapting Board Game to FilmPeter Berg talked about the real-world science that went into his film of nautical alien invasion.
Space Station's Robotic Cargo Ship Fleet (A Photo Guide)Take a tour of the robot cargo ship fleet for the International Space Station in this spaceship photo tour.
Ancient Asteroid Impact on the MoonThis artist's impression illustrates how the early moon (and Earth) were reshaped by an intense period of bombardment. Asteroids appear to be the dominant impactors.
Safely See the Sun – Build a Shoebox Pinhole Camera | VideoDon’t look directly at the Sun! Life’s Little Mysteries’ Natalie Wolchover shows how you can build a simple shoebox "pinhole camera" out of household materials for safe solar viewing. It’s the harmless way to view any solar eclipse.
'Superflares' from stars countedNasa's Kepler space telescope provides new insight on the colossal explosions that can occur in the atmospheres of some stars.
Japan launches S Korea satelliteJapan completes its first successful commercial launch of a foreign-made satellite early on Friday, marking its entry into the launch business.
Whales can adjust their hearingWhales that use sound to navigate are able to adjust the sensitivity of their hearing to protect their ears from loud noises, say scientists.
Mars Science Lab launch delayed two yearsNASA's launch of the Mars Science Laboratory -- hampered by technical difficulties and cost overruns -- has been delayed until the fall of 2011, NASA officials said at a news conference Thursday in Washington.
Shuttle lands at California air baseNASA officials Sunday waved off the first opportunity for space shuttle Endeavour to return to Earth, citing poor weather conditions.
Indian lunar orbiter hit by heat riseScientists have switched off several on-board instruments to halt rising temperatures inside India's first unmanned lunar spacecraft.
Stem cells reverse blindness caused by chemical burns Dozens of people who were blinded or otherwise suffered severe eye damage when they were splashed with caustic chemicals had their sight restored with transplants of their own stem cells, Italian researchers reported Wednesday.
Group seeks endangered listing for Franklin's bumblebeeA conservation group filed a petition Wednesday to add a bumblebee from Southern Oregon and Northern California to the endangered species list.
Ask USA TODAY WeatherWhich direction do storms usually travel? Could global warming cause more thunderstorms? Why does humidity decrease as temperature increases? What's the difference between a wind storm and a winter storm? What will the weather be like in Pennsylvania on the 4th of July weekend? Is it safe during a thunderstorm to sleep in your bed if there is a window in your room? These and other weather questions are answered in our online weather Q and A column.
Nations fail to agree on curbing Japan whale hunt Japanese officials and environmentalists traded blame Wednesday as nations failed to reach a deal to curb whale hunts by Japan, Norway and Icelandcountries that kill hundreds of whales every year.
Not just oil: Methane gas may cause 'dead zones' in GulfOceanographers say methane 10,000 to 100,000 times higher than normal near the Deepwater Horizon oil spill are depleting oxygen in the water.
Jimmy Buffett's Gulf rescue mission: Saving marine life Singer is bringing specially designed boats to the Gulf of Mexico to rescue animals from the oil spill.
A New Count of Potentially Hazardous AsteroidsNASA has just released a new count of asteroids that come close to the orbit of Earth and could survive entry through our planet's atmosphere. The data, gathered by an infrared space telescope named WISE, reveal important new information about the origin and make-up of these potentially hazardous space rocks.
Solar Eclipse this WeekendOn Sunday, May 20th, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, producing an annular solar eclipse visible across the Pacific side of Earth from China to the United States.
NASA Space Telescope Sees the Light … ien Super-EarthNASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has detected light emanating from a "super-Earth" beyond our solar system for the first time.
Perigee "Super Moon" On May 5-6Another "super-Moon" is in the offing. The perigee full Moon of May 5-6 will be as much as 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons of 2012.
Rubber Chicken Flies into Solar Radiation StormIn a unusual twist on space science, students in California have launched a rubber chicken to the edge of space to sample a solar storm.
The 3D Lyrid Meteor ShowerAstronomers and astronauts are joining forces for an unusual astrophotography experiment during the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower on April 21st.
April is the Cruelest MonthOne year after the historic tornado outbreak of April 27-28, 2011, researchers say they've learned a few things about deadly twisters. Today's story from Science@NASA presents some of the scientific findings that emerged from the swath of destruction.
SpaceX says All Systems GO for Historic May 19 Blast Off to ISSIn less than 48 hours, SpaceX is primed to make history and launch the first ever commercial rocket and spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) early Saturday morning on May 19. Following today’s Launch Readiness Review (LRR), SpaceX was just given the official “GO” from NASA to proceed with the blastoff of the Falcon [...]
SpaceX Dragon approaches the ISS on COTS 2 test flight slated for May 19 liftoff and docking on Day 4. Astronauts will grapple it with the robotic arm and berth it at the Earth facing port of the Harmony node. Illustration: NASA /SpaceX
In less than 48 hours, SpaceX is primed to make history and launch the first ever commercial rocket and spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) early Saturday morning on May 19.
Following today’s Launch Readiness Review (LRR), SpaceX was just given the official “GO” from NASA to proceed with the blastoff of the Falcon 9 at 4:55 a.m. EDT (0855 GMT) from Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This also marks the first night time liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket.
Ring of Fire! Annular Solar Eclipse on May 20There’s a great reason to look up this weekend and hope for clear skies! On May 20-21 an annular eclipse of the Sun will be visible from a 300 kilometer-wide track that crosses eastern Asia, the northern Pacific Ocean and the western United States. An annular eclipse means the Moon will not cover the Sun [...]
As the solar eclipse on May 20th progresses, its partial and annular phases will look very similar to this eclipse on May 10, 1994. Photo by Fred Espenak/SkyandTelescope.com.
There’s a great reason to look up this weekend and hope for clear skies! On May 20-21 an annular eclipse of the Sun will be visible from a 300 kilometer-wide track that crosses eastern Asia, the northern Pacific Ocean and the western United States. An annular eclipse means the Moon will not cover the Sun completely, and so when the Moon is directly in front of the Sun, there will be a bright ring of visible light on the surrounding edges, creating a so-called ‘ring of fire.’ The eclipse begins at 20:56 UTC (16:56 EDT US time) on May 20, and ends at 02:49 UTC May 21 (22:49 on May 20 EDT).
Not in that swath? See the map below, but you may be able to see a partial eclipse if you are in Asia, the Pacific and the western two-thirds of North America. (...) Read the rest of Ring of Fire! Annular Solar Eclipse on May 20 (417 words)
Donate, Become a Member, Don?t See AdsWant to show your support for Universe Today, and improve your experience on the site? Become a member! For a one-time donation, you’ll become a member of Universe Today, helping to underwrite the space journalism we’ve been bringing you since 1999. And as a special thanks, we’ll remove all the advertising, so you’ll see a [...]
Want to show your support for Universe Today, and improve your experience on the site? Become a member! For a one-time donation, you’ll become a member of Universe Today, helping to underwrite the space journalism we’ve been bringing you since 1999. And as a special thanks, we’ll remove all the advertising, so you’ll see a completely clean, uncluttered view of the website. You’ll get your news faster, without all those distracting ads.
And you’ll help us expand our team of journalists and report the news for you. (...) Read the rest of Donate, Become a Member, Don’t See Ads (330 words)
Watch How Life Recovers from DevastationIf a portion of Earth underwent a major cataclysm, how long would it take for life to recover? The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens is giving scientists a an unprecedented opportunity to witness a recovery from devastation, as the eruption leveled the surrounding forest, blasted away hundreds of meters of the mountain’s summit, and [...]
If a portion of Earth underwent a major cataclysm, how long would it take for life to recover? The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens is giving scientists a an unprecedented opportunity to witness a recovery from devastation, as the eruption leveled the surrounding forest, blasted away hundreds of meters of the mountain’s summit, and claimed 57 human lives. Landsat satellites have tracked the what has happened on the mountain, and how the forest was reclaimed — all on its own. This video shows a timelapse of the recovery, with annual images from 1979-2011 from the Landsat satellites, which acquired the images seen here between 1979 and 2011. (...) Read the rest of Watch How Life Recovers from Devastation (318 words)
This Earth Hour, organizers are stressing the need to think, then commit to doing something tangible that goes beyond turning the lights off for one hour a year. What’s your act?
Why not drop by the International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and the Environment being held at the American University of Sharjah (UAE) on this coming March 23-24th, 2011.
The full program is available here. As a quick highlight, some of the featured speakers include:
Tim Yeo, MP
Former Minister of State for the Countryside and Environment, Chair of the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee, Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, UK.
Cynthia McKinney
Former American Presidential Candidate for the Green Party and Congresswoman , USA.
Prof. Cumali Kinaci
Director, General Directorate of Environmental Management, Turkey. On behalf of the Turkish Minister of the Environment Prof.Veysel EROĞLU.
Prof. Tim W. Broyd:
Halcrow Group Director of Technology and Innovation
Arul Ayyaswami
Environmental Lead Expert , Gannett Fleming.
Dr. Datta Godbole
Leader of Knowledge Systems Research Lab in Automation and Control Solutions division of Honeywell, USA.
Saeed Alabbar
Vice-Chairman of Emirates Green Building Council and Sustainability Consultant at Halcrow International Partnership.
The International Conference on Sustainable System and the Environment
March 23rd and 24th, 2011. American University of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) [The] Committee is looking for original papers on topic addressing issues in sustainability research and education. The conference represents an excellent opportunity for participants to hear from researchers, academic experts, educators and practitioners about the latest developments in sustainable systems.
(More information and the Call for Papers can be found here.)
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