Uncategorized
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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 […]
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Craving Earth by Sera L. Young
Human biology and culture are interwoven in this exploration of pica, the craving to eat clay, dirt, starch and other nonfood substances. Columbia Univ. Press, 2011, 228 p., $29.50.
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The Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds by Richard Crossley
This illustrated field guide shows each bird in lifelike scenes using the author’s photos. Princeton Univ. Press, 2011, 529 p., $35.
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Fast Car Physics by Chuck Edmondson
Fans of fast wheels and science alike will get a charge from this look at motor sports by a physicist and amateur race car driver. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 2011, 229 p., $29.95.
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Genes & Cells
Cellular suicide inspires new ways to kill harmful bacteria, plus test-tube sperm and insulin alternatives in this week’s news.
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Loving + Hating Mathematics by Reuben Hersh and Vera John-Steiner
Tales of mathematicians’ engagement with their subject bring to life this examination of the human and cultural aspects of math. Princeton Univ. Press, 2011, 416 p., $29.95.
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The Most Human Human by Brian Christian
The Turing test competition, an annual search for the most “human” computer, is the thread in this tour through the makings of human intelligence. Doubleday, 2011, 303 p., $27.95.
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Letters
Water at the start, and later “Liquid acquisition” (SN: 1/15/11, p. 26) discusses two new models about how Earth got its water. But the two models are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, I wonder if perhaps two (or more) sources of water may be the only way to match all of the observed isotopic abundances. Is […]
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Japan crisis may have little effect on U.S. energy policy
Whatever the ultimate repercussions of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant accident in Japan (see Page 6), the crisis raises questions over the role nuclear power should play as an energy source. Michael Levi, head of the energy security and climate change program at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City, spoke to reporters […]
- Chemistry
Silicene: It could be the new graphene
Single-layer sheets of silicon might have electronic applications.
