Deserting Earth for a Chance in Space—Martian Pilgrims look to Mars for a New Permanent Adventure

Medicine & Technology Oct 14, 2014

For most, space exploration has been a fascination since adolescence; series like Star War and Star Trek, romanticizing the concept of far off planets and uninhabitable lands, filled with vast expanses of the darkness of space. Letting dreams take you beyond the clouds, aspirations of a career as an astronaut seem closer than before, but what about those who cannot make it through the rigorous process of entering NASA’s elite profession? Turns out you can buy your way off this planet; but there is still catch—you can’t come back.

While Moon Turns Red, Sun Gets Halloween Ready in Jack-O-Lantern Style

Oct 12, 2014

While the whole world may not celebrate the spooky holiday of Halloween, ghosts and ghouls excluded in many nations’ October attractions, the cosmos appears to be celebrating a bit early, and everyone’s dressing up. It appears that this Halloween we’re going back to the basics, and all of your favorite planets will be there. Mars will be Plymouth Rock, Earth will be a ball of fire, the moon has opted for a blood red werewolf, and the sun will apparently be a jack-o-lantern

Fruit Flies & Beer—The Other Organism Obsessed with Oktoberfest

Oct 12, 2014

It’s October, which to most means it’s time to break out the steins and German beers to celebrate the festival of Oktoberfest. But when you’re drinking your brew and you whiff that intoxicating familiar “fresh beer smell”, you’re actually smelling an evolutionary trick that has helped a common bacteria thrive. Thanks to fruit flies, no less!

How ‘Domestication’ of Robotic Organisms May Change The Future

Oct 12, 2014

While humans are limited by our relatively small ability to adapt, other species have discovered innovative ways of achieving the unachievable, and are able to forage and explore even the highest peaks and lowest depths with relatively no problems. And modern robotics would like to know how.

Robotic Sidewinder Snake May Be Hired for Search & Rescue Missions

Oct 12, 2014

Developed by a team at Georgia Tech, researchers recently described their findings in this week’s issue of the journal Science, which tested a robotic snake look-alike to the real thing. Running both real and robotic snakes through identical sandy obstacle slopes, the researchers were able to view the sidewinder rattlesnake’s movement in an entirely new light, shedding insight on how to harness that movement to make robotics even better.

How Researchers Mapped The Antikythera Shipwreck In Search of Treasures

Oct 12, 2014

Discovered in 1900 when a team of sponge divers, led by captain Dimitrios Kontos, unexpectedly returned with the arm of a bronze statue, the Antikythera shipwreck has since then become a mystery only solvable by modern science. Lying 55m beneath the surface of the sea, the shipwreck has been all but unobtainable to man, who is limited by the slow progression of scuba and diving equipment in recent years and the lack of light beneath the surface of the crystal blue shores. But now, the way in which researchers are tackling the mystery has changed.

‘Iron Man’ Suit Allows Divers to Reveal More of Antikythera Shipwreck

Oct 12, 2014

For many years, free divers attempted to reach the depths with little to no avail, as man fought our limitations against power of the water. And as technology has aided in aquatic exploration, advancements in scuba gear and breathing apparatuses have helped that task tremendously. But even then, precious minutes mark the divers’ time at the ocean floor of the Aegean Sea, and full exploration of the shipwreck has not been achievable. That is, until now.

More Treasures Come To Surface at Antikythera Wreck Site

Oct 11, 2014

Over a hundred years ago, in 1900, sponge divers swimming at the bottom of the sea nearest the island of Antikythera in southern Greece unearthed an extraordinary treasure from the wreckage of a once sea-ferrying ship. Known simply as the Antikythera shipwreck, over the years many artifacts have been discovered bringing to light the culture and the technology of the time the ship sank, and this year excavation efforts have revealed even more.

US Fish & Wildlife Service Investigates Murder of Rare Mexican Wolf

Oct 11, 2014

While the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has put forth every effort in protecting and trying to help the natural populations of the rare Mexican Wolf grow through their recovery program, they have seen great setbacks since their protection began in 1977. Poachers and anti-wolf activists have created a dangerous environment in which these natural predators live, and the once common wolves have dwindled down to less than 83 suspected in the wild. And this week, the number drops by one.

NASA Allows Americans Onboard Martian Orion Flight in #JourneyToMars

Oct 09, 2014

It’s no surprise, since NASA has had a long history with engaging the public’s interest in space, but this time they’re offering an extraordinary opportunity: the chance to be amongst the first names placed on Mars. Like the beginning to a Martian history, wherein all of the pilgrims’ names are archived on the Orion spacecraft, NASA is extending the opportunity for you to SIGN UP and have your name engraved onto a thumbnail-sized microchip documenting the first mission. And it’s as easy as 1-2-3.

Spanish Nurse First Infected In Europe—And Even Her Dog’s Worried

Oct 08, 2014

As fears over a global pandemic of Ebola reach frightening levels, not only in Africa but in Europe and the Americas as well, news this morning of the first infection transmitted in Europe caused a massive effort by Spanish health officials as they try to isolate those possibly infected.

New Nobel Laureates Light The Way for Smart Cities

Oct 08, 2014

The selection process for Nobel laureates is perhaps the most rigorous decision made on a global level. Not only does it require knowledge of a world’s worth of science and cultural advancements, but it also requires a sensitivity towards where humanity is moving as a collective people. And while energy technology companies are looking towards the philosophical “smart cities” that lie ahead, this year’s Nobel Prize awarded in Physics is reflecting the way lighting has revolutionized the world.

Coral Bleaching Near Oahu Signals Ecosystem’s Distress

Oct 08, 2014

With this summer bringing record-breaking heat waves throughout the northern hemisphere, the people of Hawaii have found that the lack of trade winds have made for a particularly warm and humid summer. And they’re not the only ones suffering.

Implications of New Solar Battery—Charging Off Air and Sunlight

Oct 06, 2014

As a renewable energy source, energy from the sun has been at the epicenter of energy discussions for decades. But the problem lies in harnessing this energy. While solar fission and fusion is still out of the question on the surface of the Earth, solar cells driven by the power of rays of sunlight have made great advancements in recent years. In fact you may even have them on your home. But until now, the energy source could not be placed into moving device as a battery of sorts.

Why Antimatter Matters—Majorana Particles Discovered By Princeton University

Oct 06, 2014

When a long-held theory concerning particle physics lasts 80 years, you can assume that research discoveries are often few and far between. But it turns out that physics may have a new chapter added to the record books as researchers at Princeton University have solved the mystery of “Majorana Particles”.