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. >> Link: The post-earthquake nuclear crisis: The Japan syndrome | The Economist
Japan’s Post-Quake Nuclear Energy Troubles Explained Read More
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! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7oJfK4E7RY And makes me wonder…how many things can Google do?! >> Link: Google Global Science Fair 2011
Google Global Science Fair 2011 Read More
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 of life are. The discovery “does show that in other planetary environments organisms might be
Life as We *Don’t* Know It Read More
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 than 170 milliseconds. The Economist presents a nice overview (in their usual cheeky tone). >>
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 of the way our visual field works. All this is the result of research by
Baseball Magic Settled! The Curveball Is a Trick of the Eye Read More
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 the pool: >> Link: BLDGBLOG: Las Vegas Death Ray
The Hottest Act in Vegas: Vdara Death Ray Read More
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 Find Most Earth-like Planet to Date | ScienceNOW
A Planet That Resembles Our Own Read More
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” — a daily talk show hosted by Dr. Mehmet Oz — that presents palatable high-level explanations
Medical Props for TV Read More
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 ash is composed of particles of glassy pulverised rock less than 2 millimetres in diameter.
Volcanic Ash + Jet Engines Read More