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We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Earth
Pterodactyls may soar once more
Paleontologists and aeronautical engineers are designing a reconnaissance drone that will mimic the flight of an ancient flying reptile.
By Sid Perkins - Chemistry
Trapping Compact Fluorescents’ Toxic Gas
New nanomaterials may offer a solution to mopping up a toxic pollutant associated with fluorescent lighting.
By Janet Raloff - Chemistry
Oops! A Fluorescent Light Breaks
Toxic mercury will be released whenever a fluorescent lamp breaks.
By Janet Raloff - Chemistry
Fluorescent bulbs offer mercury advantage
Featured blog: Switching to light bulbs that contain mercury might, surprisingly, reduce overall mercury releases to the environment. Plus, what to do when you break your fluorescent bulb.
By Janet Raloff - Physics
A ‘novel’ chemistry to make fuel from sugar
It’s not alchemy, but it might sound like it: a new way to transform sugars from plants into gasoline, diesel or even jet fuel by passing the sugars over exotic materials.
- Astronomy
McCain Is Bullish on R&D
Featured blog: John McCain weighs in on science and technology issues with long-awaited written responses to the Science Debate 2008.
By Janet Raloff -
- Neuroscience
Breaking the Barrier
A technique combining ultrasound pulses with microbubbles may help scientists move therapeutic drugs across the brain’s protective divide.
By Tia Ghose - Tech
Cops Might Get Pollution Sniffers
One day soon, precise up-to-minute air pollution data might be available at a street-by-street level.
By Janet Raloff - Agriculture
Network Antennas — Yum!
Sensor designers might have to consider engineering in bovine deterrence.
By Janet Raloff - Astronomy
Preserving digital data for the future of eScience
From the August 30, 2008 issue of Science News.
By Alex Szalay - Earth
TV Take-Backs
Here's one solution for all of the conventional TVs that will be cast off during the imminent digital-TV transition.
By Janet Raloff