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Hubble Telescope Dates the Universe
After measuring the distances to galaxies with the Hubble Space Telescope
for 8 years, astronomers reported their most precise value for the Hubble
constant, a measure of the expansion of the universe, which indicates
its age.
Natural-disaster policies need shaking up
Residents of the United States are growing more vulnerable to natural
disasters.
When elephants can't take it anymore
The number of savanna elephants drops abruptly when the human population
grows to a certain threshold.
Colliders spur hunt for antimatter answers
Two quarter-billion-dollar particle colliders—one in California
and one in Japan—fire up their beams to initiate a global race
for a new physics, which may become evident in the decays of particles
known as B-mesons.
Chaotic reflections within a glittery eye
Multiple light reflections in a pyramid of shiny spheres serve as a
handy model of chaotic scattering in physical systems.
Heavy exposure to solvent linked
to cancer
Exposure to the solvent trichloroethylene increases the likelihood of
a mutation at a key point in a gene suspected to be a cancer suppressor.
Rogue algae may harm Mediterranean fish
An unusually aggressive, alien seaweed that outcompetes local flora
for Mediterranean floor space may also alter the activity of detoxification
enzymes in fish that share its water.
Cosmos in a Computer
Simulations suggest monster clusters may lurk in the distant universe
A computer model hints that over the next few years, a new fleet of
orbiting telescopes may find clusters of distant galaxies that are hotter
and more massive than any in our cosmic backyard.
Simple Minds, Smart Choices
For sweet decisions, mix a dash of knowledge with a cup of ignorance
Decision strategies that hinge on mere bits of well-chosen information
about one's surroundings and circumstances prove surprisingly powerful.
Astronomy
Jovian auroras in the infrared
For the first time, astronomers have found direct evidence of supersonic
winds of charged particles whipping around Jupiter's auroral regions.
Jovian auroras in the ultraviolet
An imaging spectrograph aboard the Hubble Space Telescope has discovered
flares within Jupiter's auroras, attesting to the complexity of these
magnetic storms
Biomedicine
Fly control yields fewer trachoma cases
A program to kill flies in villages in the West African country Gambia
reduced the incidence of trachoma, a disease that can cause blindness.
Might night-lights blight sight?
Babies exposed to light at night grow up to have a higher incidence
of nearsightedness than babies who slept in the dark.
Thwarting killer enzymes of the brain
Enzymes called caspases may play a crucial role in the death of brain
cells observed in Huntington's disease.
Diet of TACOs keeps bacteria alive
A protein called TACO helps bacteria survive inside immune cells.
Technology
Remote control in deep space
Artificial intelligence software aboard NASA's Deep Space 1 probe successfully
took charge of the spacecraft's activities for about 2 days.
Electronic ink debuts in store signs
New signs based on electronic-ink technology combine the look of ink
on paper with the instant changeability of an electronic display.
