Science News

All Stories by Science News

  1. 19087

    While reading that the cranial crest of the pterosaur Thalassodromeus helped regulate body temperature, I pondered another potential use. While gliding near the water, its crested head might act as a rudder for the large-wingspan animal. Perhaps the crest also included nerves that allowed Thalassodromeus to sense fleeing fish. Steve M. AdamsPlano, Texas Perhaps the […]

  2. 19086

    This article says that the water drop is added to the back of the paper “as a wall against which the metal plume could push.” It seems more likely that the heat of the laser would even more violently vaporize the water, creating a small explosion that would drive the plane forward via the relatively […]

  3. 19085

    Regarding this article, I live close to Mendota, Calif., the site of the photo depicting ground subsidence due to overpumping of groundwater. Though I have only lived here for two summers, I am surprised at the amount of water wasted daily by agriculture and residential users in this area. A casual observer would not know […]

  4. 19084

    This article confirms what food-allergic persons have known for quite awhile, that food allergy reactions are not provoked only by ingestion. Another kind of kiss can cause reactions. My food-allergic daughter reports that “kisses” from pets may or may not cause hives, depending on the animal’s diet. Diane SmithOakton, Va.

  5. 19021

    As stated in the article, nitric oxide is a recognized and commonly monitored pollutant. It would be of interest to see the incidence of sickle-cell disease plotted against NO pollution levels for similar populations. Sufficient data are probably already available. Ken MartwickFall Creek, Ore.

  6. 19078

    I was saddened to see that water conservation received such short shrift in this article. The easiest, cheapest way to conserve water supplies is simply not to use them. Instead of figuring out how to put blankets on snowdrifts, why not just focus on turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving? Alan […]

  7. From the July 16, 1932, issue

    CANADIAN RESEARCH BUILDING READY FOR USE AT OTTAWA “In time of war, prepare for peace” is an adage worthy of being followed in economic conflict such as now grips the world. The impending dedication of Canada’s $3 million laboratory building at Ottawa for its National Research Council is a fitting reminder that research undertaken now […]

  8. Physics

    Sandcastle Physics

    Just about anyone can build a sandcastle out of wet sand. Why sand behaves as it does–on the beach, during earthquakes, at low pressures–isn’t yet fully understood. A NASA space shuttle experiment is now slated to tackle details of what happens when sand is compressed. Go to: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/11jul_mgm.htm

  9. 19091

    This article is highly deceptive in implying that avid recyclers are responsible for more dioxin in backyard burning. True, the article does say that’s per pound of trash burned. But how many fewer pounds of trash per person per year do these people burn? In reality, many people who are avid recyclers are probably also […]

  10. From the January 25, 1930, issue

    IF AMERICA HAD NOT BEEN DISCOVERED The suggestion that ancient America appears to parallel ancient Europe rather remarkably was made recently by Dr. A.V. Kidder, archaeologist of Phillips Academy, Andover, and director of archaeological researches for the Carnegie Institute of Washington. Dr. Kidder pointed out that the Mayan Indians who lived in Central America and […]

  11. Let’s Go to Lascaux

    Take a virtual trip to France’s Lascaux Cave. Gawk at the prehistoric paintings and engravings while learning about the site’s history, scientific work performed there, and Stone Age art techniques. Go to: http://www.culture.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/fr/index.html

  12. 19020

    “Vaccine for All? Math model supports mass smallpox inoculation” failed to mention an important complication for any type of smallpox-inoculation program: The vaccine might not work. A smallpox outbreak could be caused by a viral strain purposely engineered to evade any commercially available vaccine. Also, how likely is it that a new smallpox vaccine would […]