The scientists at US Space Agency NASA are planning a radical new mission, one that entails capturing an asteroid and then sending over a manned spaceship so the astronauts can obtain some samples and bring them back to earth.
Read news articleThe scientists at US Space Agency NASA are planning a radical new mission, one that entails capturing an asteroid and then sending over a manned spaceship so the astronauts can obtain some samples and bring them back to earth.
Read news articleClimate change always seems to be about things going wrong - The Arctic is melting faster, sea water levels are rising rapidly . . . and the list goes on. Now finally there is some good news. According to a team of experts led by Emily Burns, Science Director at Calfornia's Save the Redwoods League, it is actually helping the world's tallest trees thrive.
Read news articleWith its large brown eyes, fluffy red-orange hair and bushy tail, the Olinguito could easily be mistaken for a stuffed teddy bear. But this cute as a button mammal that belongs to the raccoon family is very much alive and extremely precious - That's because it is the first new carnivore to be 'discovered' in the western hemisphere in over three decades.
Read news articleMention cotton candy and most parents will 'tut tut' and shake their heads in disapproval. For while those wisps of spun sugar that melt in the mouth may be yummy, they have absolutely no nutritional value. But what if you could somehow incorporate that taste into something that your parents would thoroughly approve of? Say like grapes for instance? Think that's impossible? Read on . . .
Read news articleWhile scientists know that the first life found on Earth almost three billion years ago began with the simplest form, its origins still remains a mystery. Sure Charles Darwin's theory of Evolution by means of Natural Selection presented in his 1859 book 'The Origin of Species' sounds plausible, but it still does not explain how that first living microorganism came into being. A team of scientists led by University of California Santa Cruz Professor Andrew Fisher believe that an unusual ecosystem located at the bottom of our oceans may provide some clues.
Read news articleWhile missions to the moon or even International Space Station take a lot of meticulous planning, the one to Mars is going to require even more so, mainly due to the fact that it will be the longest one ever. Scientists estimate that it will take astronauts a total of at least 520 days or about 18 months to travel to Mars, perform a short mission and return to Earth.
Read news articleWith 'smart' technology being incorporated into almost everything around us it is not surprising to hear that it is now also making its way to apparel. First there was Cute Circuit's 'twitter' gown and now, dresses that move to acknowledge their admirers.
Read news articleThough there is a slew of meteor showers that are visible from Earth every year, none comes even close to the show put on by the Perseids annually around mid-August. They are so spectacular that the experts at NASA call them the 'fireball' champion of all annual meteor showers! The best part is that this year's event is coming up soon.
Read news articleOn Monday, August 5th, reporters from some of the world's most prestigious newspapers gathered in Hammersmith, London and watched attentively as award-winning chef Richard McGeown carefully sautéed a beef patty in oil and butter, placed it on a plate beside a burger bun, lettuce and tomato, and served it with great flourish to Chicago-based food writer and journalist, Josh Schonwald and Austrian food researcher, Hanni Rutzler.
Read news articleNew Zealand's North Island is known for many things - it's active volcanoes, pristine beaches, waters that harbor about 8000 marine species as well as the rich Maori culture and heritage. However, none come even close to one of nature's most amazing and unique offerings - The Glowworm Grotto Cavern.
Read news articleWhen dolphins get caught accidently in fishing nets, the outcome is usually dire - They either get injured and lose a tail or, spend their lives in captivity entertaining humans. But while thirteen-year-old Sampal's story began that way, it has a perfect fairy-tale ending.
Read news articleWith global warming on the rise, innovative solutions to combat pollution are becoming increasingly important. While there are many that are unveiled each week, only a few have the capability of tackling the issues on a scale large enough, to make a real difference. Here are two ingenious ones that definitely make the cut.
Read news articleThough it is common for the volunteers of Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire to ensure that the hundreds of loggerhead sea turtles that hatch on the beaches of the Caribbean Island make it to sea each year, the task usually involves just keeping an eye on them. This year, they had to do something they have never done before - Create a human wall for some of the little ones that were confused as to the path to the ocean.
Read news articleIf swimming with sharks is something you have always wanted to experience, then you may want to plan a vacation to La Jolla, California, where you will be able to swim amongst not one or two, but hundreds of the ferocious fish. The best part is that you will live to tell the tale, because the sharks that frequent the area, are not interested in humans.
Read news articleSolar Impulse, the world's first single passenger solar-powered airplane has come a long way since its first flight in 2009, when it rose a mere 3 feet above the ground and flew for just 1,150 feet in the 30 seconds it was in air. In 2012, the elegant green flying machine successfully completed an intercontinental trip from Europe to Africa and on July 6th, 2013, added another feather or should we say 'wing' to its cap, with a flight across the United States of America.
Read news articleIn 2012, a video of a 'lava art craft walker' taking five steps against flowing lava on Sicily's Mount Etna, was posted on YouTube. Not surprisingly, it caused many viewers to question if a feat like that was even possible. Now, a geologist explains how it could have been done, though he also warns that one should never try it, because a slight stumble and fall into the molten lava whose temperature ranges from 700°C to 1200°C, could result in the water inside the human body to vaporize, and cause it to 'explode from within'!
Read news articleFirst there was the revelation that roosters really do have an automatic built-in clock, alerting them to the time of day. Now, a new report claims that chickens are no bird brains - In fact they are smarter then most four-year old human toddlers! The review which was commissioned by Britain's Happy Egg Company, was compiled using twenty years of research data. Here are some of the things University of Bristol Professor Christine Nicol, was able to uncover in her recently release report entitled 'The Intelligent Hen'.
Read news articleIf tonight (Sunday June 23rd) the full moon looks a little larger than normal, it is! In fact it is so big that scientists call it a supermoon. And while this phenomenon occurs annually, this year is extra special because the moon is as close as it can get to earth, which means that it will appear even bigger and brighter than most years.
Read news articleIf you live in the Northern Hemisphere, June 21st may seem like a day when the sun has forgotten to set and depending on where you live that may actually be true, because today happens to be not just the first day of summer, but also, the longest day of the year!
Read news articleFor the lucky few that live in developed countries, having access to fast reliable Internet is a no-brainer. It is therefore easy to forget that over five billion people or a majority of the world is not as fortunate. But if search giant Google has its way, that may soon, be a thing of the past.
Read news articleSlugs, those slimy ugly creatures that we all seem to hate, suddenly got a little more interesting and definitely a lot more noticeable, thanks to these giant neon pink ones that were recently discovered by park rangers in New South Wales, Australia.
Read news articleThanks to the Internet, we now do everything, ranging from shopping to banking and even watching movies, electronically - While this has made life a lot easier, it has also resulted in the creation of numerous password combinations that have to be kept track of. Now thanks to Regina Dugan, Senior Vice President of Advanced Technology and Projects at Motorola, there may be an unusual solution - A daily pill!
Read news articleMention brain surgery and images of a patient lying deeply unconscious with doctors carefully trying to cut through the nerves, comes to mind. However, this certainly does not seem to be the case if you watch this week's video, where the doctors and patients both look busy - One working on the brain, the other, happily strumming on his guitar!
Read news articleThe announcement of a large asteroid zipping by earth is always met with a lot of excitement and some apprehension - Especially, given the several close encounters we have had in past few months. After all, there is always the chance that one may veer from its course and decide to come visit us. Fortunately, that did not happen when the ginormous 1998QE2 zipped by earth on Friday, May 31st.
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