A Moment of Science

Archive for August 2010

August 2, 2010

 

A bowl of vanilla and strawberry ice cream

Glycoproteins, Xylomannan, And Bug Protein In Your Ice Cream

Did you know that scientists are studying how bugs survive in harsh, frozen environments to learn how to keep our ice cream cold?

August 3, 2010

 

Park benches in winter

What Is A Parallax And How Do You Calculate It?

You may have heard scientists use the term "parallax." Learn what a parallax is and how to calculate one!

August 4, 2010

 

154_5secrule

The 5 Second Rule: Truth Or Myth?

We've all dropped a piece of food on the floor and ate it after thinking, "It's only been 5 seconds!" Is there any truth to this rule?

August 5, 2010

 

tightrope walker

Why Is It Difficult To Stand On One Foot With Your Eyes Closed?

Why is it so difficult to stand on one foot with your eyes closed?

August 6, 2010

 

Erratic Black Hole Regulates Inside Quasar, Cassandra

How A Quasar Duped Soviet Scientists Into Thinking It Was An Alien

This is it! Scientists have finally found definitive proof of an alien civilization of incredible power! We found aliens! Oh, wait. Nevermind. It was a quasar?

August 9, 2010

 

Little green alien

British Astronomers, Little Green Men, And Pulsars

What do British astronomers, little green men, and pulsars all have in common?

August 10, 2010

 

Statue of Archimedes

True Or False: Arcimedes Used Mirrors To Set Roman Ships On Fire?

Could Archimedes have used mirrors to set Roman ships on fire?

August 11, 2010

 

Hands around an atom

Atomic Theory And Why The World Is, For The Most Part, Empty Space

Find out why the world, as we know it, is mostly empty space.

August 12, 2010

 

Sign that says "No Double Dipping!"

Double Dipping…Is It Really So Bad?

Have you ever double-dipped? It's not a big deal... right???

August 13, 2010

 

cat stretching on oriental rug

Why Do Animals Have Lighter Fur On Their Bellies?

Animals have mastered blending in with their surroundings. Yet, why do some animals have lighter fur on their bellies than on their backs?

August 16, 2010

 

Solar Panels

What Happened To Jimmy Carter’s Solar Panels?

You may remember that Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House. What happened to them?

August 17, 2010

 

IMPROV Comedy Club

Where Do Jokes Come From And How Do They Evolve?

Jokes go through so many changes but who invents them?

August 18, 2010

 

Chicken pecking

Jokes Can Help Explain Evolution

Learn how philosopher of science Daniel Dennett uses jokes to illustrate how evolution works.

August 19, 2010

 

Girl in a dryer

How Clothing Shrinks In The Laundry

How and why does clothing shrink in the laundry?

August 20, 2010

 

M&Ms

M&Ms Can Help Explain Genetic Drift

What is "genetic drift?" How does it affect an animal's genes and their genetic variation?

August 23, 2010

 

oil rig

Solar Powered Oil Rigs

What non governmental industry was the first to use commercially produced photovoltaic solar cells?

August 24, 2010

 

cell phone number pad

Mmm What’cha Say? All About Verbal Shortcuts

Do you find yourself saying "Gotta" instead of "Got To?" Learn about verbal shortcuts!

August 25, 2010

 

chili pepper

The Spicy Pepper Diet & Weight Loss

Have you ever tried the Spicy Pepper Diet?

August 26, 2010

 

subdivision of Chicago taken from the air

Where You Live Affects How Physically Active You Are!

Did you know that your fitness level can be affected by where you live?

August 27, 2010

 

airplane

What Causes Airplane Turbulence?

Have you ever been on an airplane and experienced turbulence?

August 30, 2010

 

airplane in air

Airplane Technology, Safety, And Smooth Flying

Learn how airplanes use technology to avoid turbulence in the air ahead, and about systems that can help make flying a smoother, and safer, experience.

August 31, 2010

 

Chocolate bar on a white background

Chocolate’s Chemical Structure And Composition

Are you a chocolate fan? Learn how chocolate crystallizes.

August 2, 2010

 

mouse_trap

The World’s Largest Rat!

You'd need a massive trap and whole wheel of cheese to catch this 13.2-pound beast.

August 2, 2010

 

locust_swarm

Ravaging Locusts Swarm At Random

When a swarm of locusts hits, it devastates everything in its path. It would be helpful to know when they are coming... but scientists say no such luck.

August 2, 2010

 

oil_spill

Take This Quiz And Test Your Oil Spill Knowledge

Why can't we use evapolation to clean the spill, like with petroleum spills? What do chemical dispersants do?

August 3, 2010

 

tear_drop

What Makes A Tear-Jerker?

Brain studies are making scientists look at human interaction in a whole new light.

August 4, 2010

 

baywatch tower

EMILY: The Pamela Anderson of Robots

The hottest lifeguard on the beach doesn't even wear a swimsuit. It's EMILY, the robot lifeguard!

August 7, 2010

 

sticks of butter

Moo! Scientists Are Making Eco-Friendly Diesel Fuel From Butter

Scientists are investigating alternatives for biodiesel fuel and have turned to butter!

August 9, 2010

 

solar_activity

Sun Tsunamis and Northern Lights in the Summer!

August 1st was a pretty exciting day on the surface of the sun: flares, tsunamis, and lift offs OH MY!

August 10, 2010

 

computer

Test-Taking on the Couch (Or Anywhere!)

A new high-tech testing system allows students to take their exams anywhere they can take their computer - but it doesn't allow for cheating!

August 11, 2010

 

lemur_love

Birth Control Changes How Lemurs Choose Their Sweethearts

Female lemurs on contraceptives smell different to potential mates than ones that are not.

August 12, 2010

 

small robot

“Ranger” The Robot Sets A Distance Record!

A cute, little robot named Ranger has just set a walking record!

August 13, 2010

 

assorted water bottles

Recycled Plastic Bottles Buoy Boat For 9,000 Mile Voyage

One man traveled 9,000 miles by sea on a bottle boat to relay his message about the importance of recycling.

August 14, 2010

 

wild_ass

Evidence Found for the First Domesticated Donkeys

The ancient ancestor of the modern donkey is actually still alive today!

August 15, 2010

 

mushroom_box

New Packaging Material Made from Mushrooms

This innovative and eco-friendly packaging even grows itself!

August 16, 2010

 

Kangaroo jumping during sunset

Marsupials May Not Have Originated In Australia

When you think of marsupials, like wallabies and kangaroos, you might believe them to be natives of Australia. But new evidence suggests that is unlikely.

August 17, 2010

 

NASA Spaceship blasting off

Could Today’s Sewage Be Tomorrow’s Rocket Fuel?

Fact or fiction: Scientists may have found a way to power a rocket using poop. Fact!

August 21, 2010

 

scotch_whiskey

Scots Turn Whiskey into Biofuel

In this day and age, it pays to get creative! Scottish scientists found a way to turn materials from one of their largest exports into biofuel for cars.

August 22, 2010

 

moose

Moose Help Track Down the Cause of Arthritis

A study shows that malnutrition during early development is a likely cause of arthritis in moose.

August 25, 2010

 

Slideshow: The World’s 12 Cutest Pygmy Animals

Sometimes the best things come in small (and adorable!) packages. Warning: Photos may cause involuntary awww's.

August 26, 2010

 

Facebook website

26 Facebook Science Pages You Should Check Out!

A Moment of Science gathered the best Facebook science pages for your pleasure. What are some of your favorites?

August 27, 2010

 

Twitter logo

27 Best Twitter Accounts For Science Lovers

Do you love Twitter? Well, @momentofscience compiled a list of top Twitter accounts all science lovers should follow. Who do you follow on Twitter?

August 28, 2010

 

stickleback

Undercover Robofish Studies Fish Behavior

This underwater, undercover operation can only be done by one special fish.

August 29, 2010

 

rockem_sockem

Blue-Ribbon Bots: What Are The World’s Coolest Robots?

Miss them the first time around? Take another look at A Moment of Science's best of the best robot stories.

August 30, 2010

 

T_cell

Surprise! Nano Trojan Horse May Help Fight Cancer

Scientists at MIT look to nanoparticles to drastically improve immune-cell therapy.

August 31, 2010

 

woman sleeping

Are Heavy Sleepers Smarter Than Light Sleepers?

Are you a heavy sleeper? Well, chances are, your brain is working hard while you're at rest!

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