Notebook

Science Future for May 21, 2011

June 1The 2011 hurricane season begins. For storm updates go to www.nhc.noaa.gov June 1–5The World Science Festival returns to New York City with its annual fun and flair. See worldsciencefestival.com July 5–10Watch a 360-degree under-water film and visit exhibits at the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition in London. Learn more at royalsociety.org

Science Past from the issue of May 20, 1961

U.S. SPACEMAN A-OKAY — The United States broke the space barrier May 5 when Alan B. Shepard, Jr., 37-year-old astronaut, rode the Mercury capsule 302 miles down-range from Cape Canaveral, Fla. At 9:34 a.m. EST the Redstone rocket carrying the Mercury capsule lifted off the launching pad and took the astronaut for a 15-minute trip […]

From the Archive

Read the full article (PDF) February 13, 1937 | Vol. 31 | No. 827 Robot Mathematician Solves Nine Simultaneous Equations A ONE-TON machine that in a single action can solve nine simultaneous equations with nine unknowns so complicated in form they might well require days of laborious computation by trained mathematicians has been developed at […]

Science Past from the issue of May 6, 1961

PATENTS OF THE WEEK — “Inventions for the home of tomorrow” were the theme of several inventions just patented. Two improved methods for rocking the cradle electrically have been invented. The main advantage of the “motor driven cradle” … is that it can be made inexpensively. It also has a timer and an adjustment that […]

Science Future for May 7, 2011

May 21–22 Shoot off rockets and hear astronomers sing in Raleigh, N.C. Go to naturalsciences.org May 26 Application deadline for the Commerce Department’s i6 Green Challenge for energy entrepreneurs. For info, go to www.eda.gov/i6 June 15–18 Around Boston, cheer on young inventors, tackle design tasks and marvel at cool technologies. See eurekafest2011.org

SN Online

Highlights from recent online-only stories.

Science Past from the issue of April 22, 1961

RUSSIAN FIRST MAN IN SPACE — The Russians put the first man in orbit and returned him safely. A Soviet Air Force major, father of two, has circled the earth in 89.1 minutes, and come back, the official Russian news agency Tass reported. The height of the orbit varied from 110 to 188 miles. Maj. […]

Science Future for April 23, 2011

May 6 Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks before dawn. Go to earthsky.org/tonight for info. May 6 The first female “private space explorer” speaks at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Awards. See www.carnegiesciencecenter.org May 15 Deadline to submit photos of “chemistry in our drinks” to the Colors of Chemistry calendar competition. Find out more at colorsofchemistry.org

SN Online

Highlights from recent online-only stories

Science Future for April 9, 2011

April 16 The American Museum of Natural History in New York City opens an exhibit exploring the world’s largest dinosaurs. Visit www.amnh.org April 22 Learn about the planet and its ecology at events around the country. Go to www.earthday.org April 28 Sample the science of chocolate at an evening of entertainment in Durham, N.C. See […]

Science Past from the issue of April 8, 1961

REMAKE VENUS ‘WEATHER’ — Man can land on the mystery planet Venus after making its air suitable for humans. This job could be done by dropping primitive plants into the planet’s atmosphere, then waiting for results. The primitive algae would remove the carbon dioxide believed to poison the air on Venus for humans. The result […]

Science Past from the issue of March 25, 1961

CUT-OFF LIVER KEPT ALIVE — Three surgeons have completely isolated the liver from dogs, and with heart-lung machines have kept the animals and their livers alive for as long as eight hours. They were able to replant the livers in place, rejoin the numerous blood vessel connections and restore the animals to health.… The purpose […]