Observations
If (Virtual) Reality Feels Almost Right, It's Exactly Wrong
How adding touch to VR can lead to an “uncanny valley” of sensations—and what we can do about it
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Observations
Should Quantum Anomalies Make Us Rethink Reality?
Inexplicable lab results may be telling us we’re on the cusp of a new scientific paradigm
Observations
We Can Make Large Dams More Friendly to the Environment
We're unlikely to tear them all down, but math can help us figure out how to reduce their ecosystem impact
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Astronomers turn up smallest exoplanet yet
The exoplanet express just keeps on rolling: The European Space Agency (ESA) today announced the discovery of the smallest known planet orbiting a normal star other than the sun.
Can nuclear waste cleanup concepts be tapped to help remove arsenic from drinking water?
Arsenic removal from drinking water is a priority for local water authorities, given that long-term exposure has been linked to a host of serious health problems, including cancer, nervous system damage and atherosclerosis (inflammation) in the arteries leading to the brain.
It's raining hydrocarbons on Saturn's mysterious moon
Titan, Saturn's largest moon, has a curious abundance of methane, both in its atmosphere and in massive liquid pools on the surface. As with Mars, the presence of the relatively short-lived compound on Titan raises questions about its origin.
Daschle withdraws as HHS secretary nominee
Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination as health secretary today following growing criticism of his failure to pay more than $120,000 in taxes, according to published reports.
Iran launches a satellite into space
Iran says it launched a satellite last night as part of what officials there described as the country’s bid to develop a space program.
The satellite, named Omid, or “hope,” was “successfully sent into orbit” with a Safir 2 (or "ambassador") rocket, according to IRNA, Iran’s official news agency.
Farewell, pygmy rabbit? Officials may give up on an endangered species
It may be the end of the road for an endangered species of rabbit. After eight years and several million dollars, federal officials will likely halt a program by the end of this year designed to save the Columbia basin pygmy rabbit from extinction, according to the Associated Press.
Who will stand up for the prairie dog as their populations shrink?
Yesterday was Groundhog Day, but what about Prairie Dog Day?
The prairie dog—the "groundhog of the West"—could use a little attention these days.
Skin check for cancer? You may not need one
Do you obsessively scrutinize your skin for unusual blemishes and visit your doc for an annual whole-body check for cancer? It may not do you any good, a panel of government experts says.
A blood test for predicting postpartum depression?
Identifying women at risk for postpartum depression might be as easy as measuring hormone levels in the blood during pregnancy, suggests a study published today in the Archives of General Psychiatry .
Darwin 200 years later: Evolution by selection of quotations
Editor's Note: This post is also appearing at the American Institute for Biological Sciences' Year of Science 2009: Celebrate Evolution. For more on Darwin's 200th birthday, see our January 2009 issue on evolution.
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