Science News

All Stories by Science News

  1. Humans

    From the November 1, 1930, issue

    alt=”Click to view larger image”> ADMIRAL TAYLOR CHOSEN FOR HIGHEST AWARD OF ENGINEERS The John Fitz Medal Board of Award has chosen Rear Admiral Watson Taylor, U.S.N., retired, for the highest award for professional distinction the engineering profession of America will confer during 1931. In summing up Admiral Taylor’s accomplishments, the Board cites outstanding achievement […]

  2. Humans

    From the October 25, 1930, issue

    alt=”Click to view larger image”> STEAM ACCUMULATORS BOOST POWER IN BERLIN Six hundred tons of steam stored under 190-pounds-per-square-inch pressure in huge steel cylinders help Berliners ride the trams to and from work and burn lights in the early morning. These cylinders are the new steam accumulators at the Charlottenburg power station, which are attracting […]

  3. Physics

    Snowflake Central

    Stunning photos, fascinating historical material, and an informative snowflake physics primer highlight this Web site, which is devoted to natural and designer snow crystals. Assembled by Caltech physicist Kenneth G. Libbrecht, the site includes tips on how to photograph snow crystals and spotlights efforts to study how snow crystals form. Go to: http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/.

  4. Humans

    Genetic Artistry

    To see how some artists portray the promise and perils of the Human Genome project, check out the Web sites of artists who use depictions of DNA or chromosomes, create images from genetically engineered bacteria, or take advantage of gene-mapping technology to express their ideas. Additional information about these artists can be found in the […]

  5. Humans

    From the April 1, 1933, issue

    BEER AND BREAD HAVE BEEN COMPANIONS SINCE PHARAOHS Beer and bread have been companions on man’s tables since the remotest days of antiquity. The pharaohs of Egypt drank beer with their meals, and the kings of the Babylonian city-states maintained great brewing establishments in their palaces and temples, for the pay of their servants and […]

  6. Math

    Celebrating Artful Math

    This year’s “Mathematics Awareness Month” focuses on interactions between mathematics and art. The associated Web pages feature essays, images, and more, all devoted to striking examples of highly creative activities in math and art. Go to: http://mathforum.org/mam/03/

  7. 19163

    Why has so much focus been placed on protecting us against the threat of a smallpox outbreak when a terrorist could choose to release a different infectious disease? Wouldn’t it be wiser to discuss ways to respond to and contain any unknown disease? More public awareness of this possibility would prevent the false sense of […]

  8. Earth

    Undersea Mountain Descent

    Join an international expedition in exploring an underwater mountain in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Twice-weekly dispatches highlight the scientific team’s findings for the duration of the expedition from Nov. 14 to Dec. 14. Hosted by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the expedition’s Web site also includes colorful diagrams illustrating various geological concepts and […]

  9. Chemistry

    Artistic Elements

    Providing an unusual perspective on the chemical elements, the Chemistry Societies’ Network presents a stunning visual tour of the elements (109 in all) as seen through the eyes of artists. Pick an element, from hydrogen to meitnerium, to see the image it suggested to an artist and, as a bonus, learn a little about the […]

  10. Earth

    Energy-Saving Stars

    This Web site documents progress in a program set up by the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency to encourage companies to reduce the energy consumed by their products. More than 3,000 companies have participated in efforts to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and lower energy costs for consumers. Site visitors can find […]

  11. Planetary Science

    Red Planet

    The imaging team of NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft has doubled the number of Mars pictures available to the public with the release of a new archive of photos. The archive contains all the pictures that were taken by Mars Global Surveyor from September 1999 through February 2000 and includes the images that were taken […]

  12. Physics

    Origins at CERN

    Starting on Nov. 11, the Exploratorium in San Francisco begins a series of Webcasts taking viewers to research laboratories around the world where scientists are investigating the origins of matter, the universe, Earth, and life itself. The first programs come from the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland, location of the world’s […]