All Stories by Science News
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18929
Your article on the importance to an elephant family of having as its leader a matriarch of considerable age reminded me of the postulation that one of the reasons menopause evolved in humans was to allow some women to survive to old age. In preliterate societies, old people were the libraries. Some of the knowledge […]
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18928
I’ve often wondered about packing circles and have always assumed that it would get into messy numbers very quickly. Your article is a charming revelation. It says that if a, b, and c are integers, d will be one, too. I think this is true only if a, b, and c bear some relationship to […]
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From the April 18, 1931, issue
STABILIZER REDUCES ROLLING ON ROUGHEST SEAS Even during the stormiest weather there should be no sea-sick passengers on the vessel that will carry in her hold the 120-ton gyro-stabilizer pictured on the front cover of this weeks SCIENCE NEWS LETTER. The photograph shows the stabilizer on test in the South Philadelphia Works of the Westinghouse […]
- Astronomy
Eye on the Universe
For more than a decade, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided astronomers with astonishing views of the universe. This week, the Exploratorium in San Francisco hosts a series of Webcasts from the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore to present a behind-the-scenes peek at how the space telescope is managed. Also check out several collections […]
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18927
I just read “Biomedicine, defense to sidestep budget ax.” Now, I know that George Bush owes his rich cronies a ton of money and favors, but a 10-year program to develop clean energy from coal? Why spend 20 years developing energy from coal, which will run out just like oil will and the mining of […]
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18926
In reference to “Boosting boron could be healthful,” it’s important to note that there’s no risk in aiming for a high-boron diet. Eighty percent of Americans fall short when it comes to dietary recommendations for fruit, nut, and legume intake. Eating four servings of fruit and a handful of nuts per day could bring boron […]
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18925
“Oceans of electricity” was a fine article, but one line should have been added about the engineers of the ’30s who had plans to build wave-power electricity for the eastern United States. World War II interrupted the plans for cheap power without oil, however. Douglas O. Deshazer Omaha, Neb. The article mentions the lack of […]
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Caving in Comfort
Explore the wonders of solution caves, lava tubes, sea caves, and other underground realms at this beautifully illustrated Web site, developed by caver and photographer Dave Bunnell. The site features photographs of caves throughout the world and maps of idealized “virtual” caves, which explain and illustrate examples of nature’s handiwork. Go to: http://www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtcave.html
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From the April 11, 1931, issue
THE PRECIOUS JEWELS IN HIS HEAD ARE TWAIN Did you ever stop to take a really good look at a toads eyes? Just as many a plain-faced person is redeemed from ugliness by having fine eyes, so also does the toad find salvation from his ungraceful form, his abysmal mouth, his warty skin. His eyes […]
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18924
“Early Brazilians unveil African look” was a very interesting article containing an interesting idea. But some of us guessed the connection all along. Check out Olmec-age stones heads [in the Americas]. These images are African. However, it’s a good bet that migration came from both Asia and Africa. Gloria Harrison Raleigh, N.C.
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18923
Regarding “Cold sliver may sense electron quiver,” micro-, nano-, and pico- are fine. But have mercy and explain zepto-! Joel Faitsch Pittsfield, Mass. The prefix zepto- refers to an amount represented by 10–21, or a billionth of a trillionth.–P. Weiss
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Quantum Art
Quantum physicist Eric J. Heller of Harvard University writes computer algorithms to convert scientific data into brilliantly colorful images. A selection of the resulting graphic images is now featured in an art exhibition titled Approaching Chaos. These Web links to Harvard Magazine and to Heller’s own Web page highlight several of these intriguing artworks. Go […]
