Astrobiologists look for places at home to practice for missions on other planets
WASHINGTON — Like the Earth, the other planets and moons in our solar system have their own characteristic local surface materials and weather conditions.
Scientific Agenda
Scientific Agenda reports on important and interesting developments from the world of science in Minnesota and elsewhere. Coverage includes reports from MinnPost journalist Sharon Schmickle, Inside Science News Service, and other sources.
Students to launch weather balloons in northwestern Minnesota
If you’re watching northwestern Minnesota’s sky at just the right time on Wednesday morning, you could see the launch of a research project by students in one of Minnesota’s most interesting science education efforts.
Congress considers cow power, other technologies
WASHINGTON — Legislators attending this year’s Congressional Energy and Energy Efficiency Expo and Forum in Washington, D.C., were quick to point out the problems with fossil fuel — from cave-ins at coal mines to the oil spill in the Gulf.
Members of Academy of Sciences concerned about ‘political assaults’ on climate scientists
More than 200 members of the U.S.
Another country hit by wheat fungus Ug99
It is sad but not surprising to learn that yet another country has been invaded by the destructive wheat fungus known as Ug99.
Edible synthetic blocks bitter taste
WASHINGTON — Can’t stand your grandmother’s bitter Brussels sprouts? Instead of dousing them in butter or feeding them to the dog, you may soon have a scientific option codenamed GIV3727.
Orbits of exoplanets tilted
WASHINGTON — An astronomer at the University of Texas in Austin reports on the careful measurement of two planets circling Upsilon Andromedae, a star which sits in space about 44 light-years from our sun.
U report urges rethinking fishing and hunting quotas
The strategy of setting fishing and hunting quotas — say, six walleyes in possession on a given day — needs rethinking, says the report of a new study by prominent University of Minnesota ecologist.
U study examines why we like some sounds and not others
Why one person’s sweet music is another person’s jarring noise has been a puzzle throughout the ages. Now a study of University of Minnesota students gives some clues.
Rainfall clumped into lengthier, intense periods across Europe
A new study of rainfall in Europe over the period 1950-2008 finds that although the yearly number of rainy days has not increased, the length of wet spells — periods in which rain falls on a number of consecutive days — has gone up by about 15-20 pe
Amateur skywatchers spot secret X-37B space plane in orbit
While the U.S. Air Force is mum about the orbital whereabouts of its X-37B mini-space plane, a dedicated band of amateur skywatchers has got its cross-hairs on the spacecraft.
New estimates on ocean depth and warming
WASHINGTON — Two new studies give the best scientific estimates of the average depth of the world’s oceans, the total amount of water they contain, and the extent to which this water warmed over the last two decades — the latter being an important m
Breakthrough: Man-made genes control self-replicating cell
It is “one of the most important scientific achievements in the history of mankind,” said former U of M bioethicist Arthur Caplan.
Scientists begin to assess how Gulf ‘dead zone’ and oil spill might interact
Scientists are beginning to assess how the two complex problems of the Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” and the Gulf oil spill could interact, according to ScienceInsider, an online publication of Science Magazine.
The science of ‘streaky shooting’ in basketball
WASHINGTON — Basketball players, coaches, commentators and fans believe in streaky shooting, but universal assumptions are not always true.
Dioxins derived from hand soap, etc., increasingly seen in Mississippi, U of M research finds
The study focused on triclosan, an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent that was first added to liquid hand soap in 1987.
Bell Museum seeking BioBlitz volunteers for 24-hour creature count
The Bell Museum of Natural History is organizing volunteers for its annual BioBlitz, a 24-hour race to count and study creatures in woodlands, prairies and streams near suburban Rosemount.
Each year hundreds of amateur and professional scientists f
Phone call with Mom soothes brain like a hug
Reaching out and touching mom with a phone call triggers “love” hormone in the brain.
New info about how cells in the eye help guide light into the retina
WASHINGTON — The eyes are marvelous instruments for converting outside reality into images lodged inside our brains.
Some good environmental news: Hole in ozone over the Antarctic has stabilized
Here’s some welcome relief: The hole in the ozone over the Antarctic has stabilized, and it could disappear for good later this century.