Frank Drake, astronomer famed for contributions to SETI, has died
The equation named after him helps organize our thoughts on extraterrestrial life. Enlarge (credit: Wikimedia Commons) On Friday, the family of astronomer Frank Drake announced that he passed away peacefully at 92 in his Calif.....»»
We now know who killed the “Lady of the Dunes”
DNA showed Ruth Marie Terry was killed by her husband, Guy Muldavin, who died in 2002. Enlarge / Ruth Marie Terry, aka the "Lady of the Dunes," in the 1960s. The FBI has identified her killer as her husband, Guy Muldavin. (credit.....»»
"Thermometer" molecule confirmed on exoplanet WASP-31b
Chromium hydride (CrH), a molecule that's relatively rare and particularly sensitive to temperature, is useful as a "thermometer for stars," according to astronomer Laura Flagg, because it's abundant only in a narrow range between 1,200–2,000 degre.....»»
Analyses of Pompeii victims with X-ray fluorescence suggests they died of asphyxiation
A multi-institutional team of archaeologists, chemists and environmental scientists using portable X-ray fluorescence on victims of the Pompeii eruption in 79 AD finds that they likely died of asphyxiation. The group has published their results in PL.....»»
Caroline Herschel was the first female astronomer, but she still lacks name recognition two centuries later
Caroline Herschel, the first professional female astronomer, made contributions to astronomy that are still important to the field today. But even many astronomers may not recognize her name......»»
Strong quake rattles Colombian capital
A strong earthquake followed by dozens of aftershocks rattled central Colombia and the capital Bogota on Thursday, setting off sirens and sparking brief panic, including in one woman who died after jumping from a building, authorities said......»»
A rarely seen whale has died in the Florida Keys, and biologists are investigating
Marine mammal scientists are investigating the cause of death of a rarely seen whale found in the shallow waters of the Florida Keys......»»
Florida"s academic standards distort the contributions that enslaved Africans made to American society
The state of Florida ignited a controversy when it released a set of 2023 academic standards that require fifth graders to be taught that enslaved Black people in the U.S. "developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their benefit.....»»
Rescued walrus calf that was receiving cuddles as part of his care in Alaska dies
A walrus calf found on its own miles from the ocean on Alaska's North Slope last week and who received cuddles as part of his care after being rescued died on Friday......»»
Unveiling the tale of Tutcetus, the "pharaoh" of whales who died young 41 million years ago
An international team of scientists, led by Egyptian researchers, has made a groundbreaking discovery of a new species of extinct whale, Tutcetus rayanensis, that inhabited the ancient sea covering present-day Egypt around 41 million years ago. This.....»»
Wind-whipped Hawaii wildfire razes town, deaths feared
Wildfires whipped by hurricane winds tore through a Hawaiian town Wednesday, razing homes and forcing residents to jump into the ocean, with officials saying they feared people had died in the fast-moving flames......»»
Ravaged by fire, Mojave Desert"s famed Joshua trees may be gone forever
A wildfire burning near the California-Nevada border has ravaged parts of the Mojave National Preserve's famed Joshua tree forests, and experts worry that the massive blaze will forever change the fragile desert ecosystem......»»
J. Robert Oppenheimer"s early work revolutionized the field of quantum chemistry, and his theory is still used today
The release of the film "Oppenheimer," in July 2023, has renewed interest in the enigmatic scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer's life. While Oppenheimer will always be recognized as the father of the atomic bomb, his early contributions to quantum mechan.....»»
Orbiting astronaut oversees robot team on Earth
Astronaut Frank Rubio aboard the International Space Station collaborated with a small team of robots on Earth to accomplish a complex task—a first test of a new approach to combine human and robotic capabilities for our return to the moon and beyo.....»»
Mercedes vehicles aboard cargo ship ablaze off Dutch coast
A EV may have started a fire aboard a large cargo ship on route from Germany to Egypt. One of the 23 crew members died and several were injured......»»
Rescuers "optimistic" for surviving stranded whales in Australia
More than 50 pilot whales died after stranding themselves on a beach in Western Australia, but authorities said Wednesday they were "optimistic" that the other 45 whales in the pod could survive......»»
Mass extinction event 260 million years ago resulted from climate change, studies say
Ocean stagnation, ecosystem collapses, and volcano eruptions all played a role. Enlarge / Artist’s depiction of two dinocephalians, a group of land animals that died out in the Captitanian extinction(s). (credit: Dmitry Bogdan.....»»
Reeves Callaway, Callaway Cars founder and CEO, dies at 75
Performance auto giant Ely Reeves Callaway III died July 11 after sustaining injuries in a fall. The Callaway Cars founder, whose company held a world speed record for more than 20 years, was 75......»»
Apple TV+ scores John Le Carre documentary "The Pigeon Tunnel"
Apple Original Films is bringing out the documentary "The Pigeon Tunnel" in October, detailing six decades of the life of famed author and former spy John Le Carre.John le Carre (David Cornwell) in 'The Pigeon Tunnel' [Apple TV+]David Cornwell, known.....»»
Two dead in storms in northern Italy as Sicily fires close airport
A 16-year-old girl on a camping trip was among two people who died after violent storms hit northern Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday, while in the south wildfires forced the closure of Sicily's Palermo airport......»»
Galaxy mergers shed light on galactic evolution model
An Australian astronomer has solved a century-old mystery regarding how galaxies evolve from one type to another. The same study shows that the Milky Way, the galaxy we live in, was not always a spiral......»»