Here are some interesting things that have caught my attention in the last fortnight:
Astronomy:
- Size of black holes might have been underestimated.
- A type of star with really weird orbits.
- Redefining the habitable zone.
- First planet observed in another galaxy (either that or a brown dwarf).
- Catalyst special on Gravity Probe B and confirming Einstein’s theory of gravity.
- We’re learning more about sunspots.
Biology:
- Susceptability to cancer may be the cost of big human brains.
- A plant with roots that grow into snow, not soil.
- The most efficient carbon-storing forests are Australian.
- How to catch a fish, if you’re a snake.
- Some fish can learn by watching others.
Brain Science:
- I mentioned online treatments for depression in my previous installment. Here’s more information, including a video.
- A variation of the SPARC Effect for musicians.
- Babies prefer their native languages by five months.
- A recent study into binocular rivalry.
Palaeontology:
- On the lifestyle of prehistoric Arctic animals.
- On Homo erectus being eaten by predators.
Physics and Technology:
- A new element for the periodic table. Two complementary reports here and here.
- Extending life on Earth into the distant future.
- Meteorologists may be overestimating rain.
- LHC expected to be back in October.
- Radio antenna based on human ear.
Whimsical:
- I was amused to learn that “Australians are apparently dreaded by Polish teachers“. No specifics, though.
- A lovely car for a young child. More pictures here and here.
- Cyborg Name Decoder. This is very clever.
On my blog’s sidebar, I am trying out Flag Counter. This hit-counting utility is designed in such a way as to be compatible with pretty much any blogging platform, but at certain costs including vulnerability to sabotage. We’ll see how it goes. There’s also some other Internet-related software I’m about to start trialing, of which, more next time. Finally, having started from the beginning of the archives last October, I have now caught up with all episodes of Astronomy Cast. More on that as time permits.
[Update: I've decided to do away with the Flag Counter, because a day or two after activation, it adds a "visitor log" that includes information about all hits, not just new visitors. I do not wish such information to be available to the public.]
