All Stories by Science News
- Humans
Letters from the January 21, 2006, issue of Science News
D. Durda, FIAAA/B612 Foundation Push, pull, zap, drench I’m surprised that NASA envisions an absurdly massive, nuclear-powered “gravitational tug” to avoid “the biggest problem” of a contact-tug’s need to “fir[e] its rocket engine only at specific times” to compensate for an asteroid’s rotation (“Protecting Earth: Gravitational tractor could lure asteroids off course,” SN: 11/12/05, p. […]
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Just because living organisms were found in extreme conditions does not necessarily mean they were created in these localities. Another possibility is that the creation of life took place under more amenable conditions and that these organisms, through evolution, gradually adapted as the conditions changed. We shouldn’t assume that just because bacteria were found on […]
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19632
This article illustrates one of the fascinating ways in which cellular automata have evolved into a truly useful analytical tool. However, would it not be more linguistically consistent, not to mention more accurate, to refer to the methodology as “in virtuo” rather than “in silico”? In another 50 years, the use of silicon as a […]
- Humans
From the January 11, 1936 issue
A new president for A.A.A.S., evidence of neutrinos, and plants that act like batteries.
- Humans
Benjamin Franklin at 300
For the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s birth, a new Web portal offers a comprehensive, searchable resource of the statesman and scientist’s writings and quotations, along with a targeted search engine and tools for teachers. Go to: http://ben.clusty.com/
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19631
I experienced something very interesting after Sept. 11, 2001. Rather than post-traumatic stress disorder, there seemed to be a togetherness exhibited. I found people to be more courteous, thoughtful, compassionate, and polite in general. I’m sure that people can say they experienced this same type of oneness in past experiences. J. DawsonFolsom, Calif.
- Humans
Letters from the January 14, 2006, issue of Science News
Alcohol calculus “A toast to thin blood” (SN: 11/12/05, p. 317) says, “the blood of people who consume 3 to 6 drinks weekly was less likely to clot in a test tube than was the blood from nondrinkers.” I wonder if there is a rebound effect that could make the blood of new abstainers even […]
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The conclusion drawn by pediatrician Julie C. Lumeng in this article is that parents’ safety concerns lead to kids being cooped up indoors where the opportunity for exercise is limited and food is easily accessible. While the study apparently shows a correlation between parental fears and overweight children, correlation does not equal causation. I would […]
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19629
The picture of the new cochlear implant in this article shows a square piece that is to be implanted deeply into the inner ear. “Square peg in a round hole” was my response. Why doesn’t the probe have a more rounded shape? Yvonne LyerlaSonoma, Calif. Only the slender shaft attached to the square piece goes […]
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19628
In this article about using harmonic reflected signals to track bees, I thought it was interesting to note that the original technology was created by the Russians as a spy device. The technology is still being used for a form of spying. Dwight ElveySanta Cruz, Calif.
- Humans
From the January 4, 1936, issue
Experimental rockets, a tuberculosis-fighting bacteriophage, and an antidote for barbiturate poisoning.
- Math
Slide Rule Universe
Nowadays, calculators and computers are essential tools for scientists and engineers. A few decades ago, however, an ingenious calculating device called the slide rule was in every engineer’s toolbox. This Web site provides a glimpse of those long-gone days. It provides references materials on the care, feeding, and use of slide rules, a slide-rule marketplace, […]
