Science News
A superconducting shield for astronauts
Phys.org - 6 Aug 2015 13:37
The CERN Superconductors team in the Technology department is involved in the European Space Radiation Superconducting Shield (SR2S) project, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of using superconducting magnetic sh...
Bumpy Black Hole X-Rays May Push the Limits of Einstein's Relativity
Scientific American - 6 Aug 2015 16:00
Scientists simulate the signatures of “bumpy” black holes to test Einstein’s famously resilient theory of general relativity yet again --
Researchers simulate helium bubble behavior in fusion reactors
Phys.org - 6 Aug 2015 14:30
One of the most important challenges for successful commercialization of fusion power is the development of materials that can tolerate the extreme conditions of elevated temperatures and high particle flux of hydrogen i...
Nepal Quake Could Have Been Much Deadlier, Scientists Say
Live Science - 6 Aug 2015 22:31
The earthquake that struck Nepal in April shook in a way that spared many small buildings in the city but devastated those more than two stories high, a new study finds.
Warning for Nepal: April Earthquake Didn't Unleash All Its Energy
Live Science - 6 Aug 2015 20:24
The devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in April only released a fraction of the energy still trapped in the underlying fault, meaning the area has the potential to host another possibly more powerful earthquake.
Yawn! School Starts Too Early for Teens, CDC Says
Live Science - 6 Aug 2015 20:19
Most U.S. middle and high schools start the day around 8 a.m., which public health officials consider too early for teens, according to a new report
School Start Times in U.S. States: Full List
Live Science - 6 Aug 2015 20:17
Most U.S. middle and high schools start too early. Here's a list of the average start time for schools in each state.
Powerful DNA 'Editing' Has Arrived, Are We Ready for It?
Live Science - 6 Aug 2015 20:12
CRISPR/Cas is a new technology that allows unprecedented control over the DNA code. The gene editing technique also raises concerns.
Dangerous Roads: States with Most Drunk Drivers Revealed
Live Science - 6 Aug 2015 20:01
Hawaiians and Midwesterners have the highest rates of drunk driving, while people in Utah had the lowest rates.
Drunk Driving Rates by State
Live Science - 6 Aug 2015 19:57
Drunk driving is most common in Hawaii, but the Midwest and parts of the West also have high rates of drunk driving as well.
Zoologger: World's first venomous frog has the kiss of death
New Scientist - 6 Aug 2015 19:32
Two frog species from Brazil are the first and so far only venomous frogs. One of them is 25 times more poisonous than Brazilian pit-vipers
Safe motorcycle helmets -- made of carrot fibers?
e! Science News - 6 Aug 2015 19:24
All over the world, research is being conducted into biodegradable and recyclable synthetics. However, fiber-reinforced components remain problematic - if glass or carbon fibers are used. Within the scope of an EU resear...
NY Legionnaires' Outbreak Highlights Nationwide Rise
Live Science - 6 Aug 2015 19:22
A large outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in New York City has put the illness in the spotlight in recent weeks, but experts say the illness needs more attention in general, as cases have increased nationwide.
Frogs from Hell: Their Venomous Head Spikes Could Kill You
Live Science - 6 Aug 2015 18:29
In the wilds of Brazil, researchers have discovered the first frogs with venomous spikes on their heads. Just a gram of this venom could take down tens of humans or thousands of mice.
World-largest petawatt laser completed, delivering 2,000 trillion watts output
Phys.org - 6 Aug 2015 18:24
The Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE), Osaka University, has succeeded to reinforce the Petawatt laser "LFEX" to deliver up to 2,000 trillion watts in the duration of one trillionth of one second (this corresponds to ...
Is the Future of Drones Dastardly or Daring? This Week's Ask an Expert Is Now Airborne [VIDEO]
Singularity Hub - 6 Aug 2015 18:00
Perusing the news, one might think the world of drones has quieted down. But hovering in the minds of those concerned about the impact of drones on society for better or worse are questions that that...
Cluster bombing
The Economist - 6 Aug 2015 17:10
THE outbreak of Ebola fever in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, which has killed more than 11,000 people, has dropped out of the news as it has been brought under control. Although new cases are now measured in dozens, ...
Zoology to the rescue
The Economist - 6 Aug 2015 17:10
MUCH is made, in academic circles, of the virtues of interdisciplinary research. Its practice is somewhat rarer. But fresh thinking and an outsider's perspective often do work wonders, and that may just have happened in ...
Summon the comfy chairs!
The Economist - 6 Aug 2015 17:10
WALT DISNEY'S film version of "Mary Poppins" features a scene in which, at a click of the protagonist's fingers, cupboards, drawers, bedside tables and trunks fly open and her young charges' clothes and toys leap inside ...
New Jelly Bean-Size 'Masked' Frog Discovered in the Andes
Live Science - 6 Aug 2015 17:01
A cute new Andean frog has a dark-brown "face mask" and a white mottled belly. The little guy is not much bigger than a jelly bean.
How Virtual Reality Can Unleash the Greatest Wave of Creativity in Human History
Singularity Hub - 6 Aug 2015 17:00
"Think about virtual reality like uranium. It can heat homes, and it can destroy nations." - Jeremy Bailenson What would you do if you could do anything? Would you be...
Printable holograms could make holograms more widespread
Phys.org - 6 Aug 2015 15:30
(Phys.org)--Holograms have a wide variety of applications, from 3D displays to data storage, but the potential applications are currently limited by the complexity and cost of hologram fabrication. In an attempt to simpl...