Science Science Notebook
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First Look Technology transfer: NASA opens vault of space-age patents
The space agency has released more than 50 previously patented technologies that could be adopted by innovators to spur America's economy.
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Commentary: 'Trust but verify' should be a motto of Paris climate talks
The success of the COP21 talks will hinge on the creation of a transparency-and-review mechanism to ensure that countries are meeting their voluntary emissions-reduction targets.
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NASA and 'The Martian' partner to make space 'cool' – and accurate
Ridley Scott partnered with NASA scientists to make 'The Martian' as realistic as possible. 'The more that happened, the more I got excited,' says NASA's Jim Green.
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Supermoon: When and where to see it
This weekend the moon will reach its full phase while also nearing its closest point to Earth in its orbit, creating views of a 'supermoon.'
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A year in a bubble: NASA begins most ambitious Mars-analog mission yet
A team of six NASA scientists begin a 365-day isolation experiment simulating life on Mars. How soon will a crewed mission be a reality?
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Rare (and adorable!) snow leopard cubs born at Chicago zoo
Chicago's Brookfield Zoo has released the first images of two rare snow leopard cubs, born in June.
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First Look Why Mercury's transit across the sun is so special
The littlest planet's journey isn't just a rare viewing opportunity for astronomers and amateur skywatchers.
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First Look Will European rover ever get to Mars?
ExoMars, a joint program of European and Russian space agencies, was supposed to send the first European rover to Mars in 2018. Now technical problems have forced the agencies to delay that mission.
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First Look Russia launches first rocket from troubled new cosmodrome
The launch is a point of success for Russia's challenged space industry.
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First Look How Hertha Marks Ayrton made ripples in math and women's rights
The influential mathematician and scientist was also a prominent figure in the British suffrage movement and a staunch advocate for women's work to receive due credit.
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Animal smarts: A Q&A with primatologist Frans de Waal
In an interview, the famed Dutch biologist discusses themes of animal cognition, empathy, and morality – subjects he explores in his newest book, "Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are?"
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Menu miscue: Yale study prompts mammoth newspaper correction
In 1951, we reported that members of the Explorers Club dined on a 250,000-year-old extinct mammoth. Science has proven us wrong.
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How computers are getting better at detecting liars
A group of researchers have developed new lie-detecting software, and it doesn't involve being hooked up to a polygraph machine.
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May 20, 2016
Photos of the day 05/20
South Korean policemen take part in an anti-terror and security drill at a mall in Seoul, South Korea on Friday.
More Science Notebook
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First Look National Zoo keepers 'ecstatic' as surviving panda cub grows
A week after twin giant panda cubs were born in the US National Zoo, one cub has died but the other is growing healthily. Researchers believe his birth will help the future insemination of giant pandas.
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Sumatran rhino extinct in Malaysia: How can the species survive?
Loss of habitat and poaching for rhino horns have wiped out the Sumatran rhinoceros from its primary habitat – the wilds of Malaysia – but about 100 still live in Indonesia, say researchers.
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Virginia Beach bioluminescence: What's lighting up the water?
Virginia Beach surfers and beach-goers witnessed a bioluminescence light show Friday night. What caused it and will it last?
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Rosetta and comet 67P approach their rendezvous with the Sun
Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko will reach its closest point to the Sun in its 6.5-year orbit on Aug. 13, 2015, accompanied by the Rosetta spacecraft.
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Water strider robot: This bug-inspired bot can hop on water
Taking cues from the water strider, researchers have developed a robotic insect capable of walking on – and launching itself from – the water’s surface.
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Climate change trifecta exacerbates urban, coastal flooding
Storm surge, high rainfall, and rising sea levels put low-lying US coastal cities at risk of devastating floods, researchers say.
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T. rex's nine-inch, serrated teeth: A dentist's dream or nightmare?
New research found that unique serrations make Tyrannosaurus teeth highly resistant to damage, thus helping the dinosaur and its relatives secure their place at the top of the prehistoric food chain.
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Musk, Hawking, Chomsky: Why they want a ban on killer robots.
Leading researchers in robotics and artificial intelligence signed an open letter, published Monday, calling for a preemptive ban on autonomous offensive weapons.
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Reboot the suit: With $500,000 pledged, Smithsonian sets sights even higher
The Smithsonian Institute's crowdfunding campaign to preserve the spacesuit worn by Neil Armstrong raked in $500,000 in just five days, and now the organizers are setting their sights even higher.
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Are Sierra Nevada wildfires getting worse now with climate change?
Researchers from the University of California, Davis, describe the increased frequency of wildfires in high elevations as 'yet another harbinger of climate change.'
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