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Human World

excavation site
Science Wire | May 17, 2013

New discovery shatters conventional ideas of how agriculture emerged

Use of new analysis techniques provides food for thought about how people lived 5,000 years ago.

flexible-skin-like-heart-300
Science Wire | May 16, 2013

Engineers monitor heart health using paper-thin flexible skin

Engineers created a wearable heart monitor thinner than a dollar bill that could one day provide doctors with a safer way to check the condition of a patient’s heart.

Kepler, planet-hunter.  Image via NASA
Blogs | May 16, 2013

Planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft in trouble

It went into safe mode on Tuesday, May 14 after the #4 reaction wheel, needed to orient the spacecraft, would not spin.

Tornado near Millsap, Texas on May 15, 2013, Image Credit: Chris McBee and Rachel Sager.
Blogs | May 16, 2013

Severe storms kill at least 6 people in Texas

Severe storms struck in north and east Texas yesterday. At least 6 dead with over a hundred injuries in the town of Granbury. Mile-wide tornado north of Vista.

May 10 eclipse at sunrise via Colin Legg
Blogs | May 15, 2013

Video: May 10 ring of fire annular solar eclipse

Beautiful video of ring of fire eclipse by astrophotographer Colin Legg, who used three cameras along the ecliptic path in western Australia.

If NYC were on Mars
Blogs | May 15, 2013

Here’s how NYC would look under the skies of other worlds

“I felt that if I could show people what New York City looked like on other planets, I’d give people a sense of how lucky we are to be living on Earth.”

Image credit: YAKOBCHUK VASYL/Shutterstock
Blogs | May 14, 2013

Brain’s big frontal lobe not what makes humans smarter, says study

The study suggests that supposedly more ‘primitive’ areas, such as the cerebellum, were equally important in the expansion of the human brain.

Commander Chris Hadfield ... and he sings
May 13, 2013

Video: Commander Chris Hadfield’s version of Space Oddity

Chris Hadfield has done more to let the rest of us enjoy and participate in International Space Station missions than anyone since … well, than anyone ever.

Agent Orage
Science Wire | May 13, 2013

Agent Orange exposure linked to life-threatening prostate cancer

A new analysis has found a link between exposure to Agent Orange and lethal forms of prostate cancer among US Veterans.

Video still of ice from Mille Lacs Lake
Blogs | May 13, 2013

Video: Strong winds pushed ice sheets ashore at Minnesota lake

Ice from Mille Lacs Lake reached doors and windows of homes at Izatys Resort on Saturday, May 11. Many described it as looking like a mini glacier.