Two Earth-size planets spotted around distant star
NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have found two Earth-sized planets orbiting a star outside the solar system, an encouraging sign for prospects of finding life elsewhere. The discovery shows that such planets exist and that they can be detected by…
Comet defies death, brushes up to sun and lives
WASHINGTON (AP) — A small comet survived what astronomers figured would be a sure death when it danced uncomfortably close to the broiling sun. Comet Lovejoy, which was only discovered a couple of weeks ago, was supposed to melt Thursday…
Planet in sweet spot of Goldilocks zone for life
WASHINGTON (AP) — A newly discovered planet is eerily similar to Earth and is sitting outside our solar system in what seems to be the ideal place for life, except for one hitch. It’s a bit too big. The planet…
Study shows experiment is working
Scientists, attempting to halt Dengue fever, for the first time released mosquitoes into the wild that had been genetically modified to pass on deadly DNA that kills their offspring. About 19,000 lab-altered insects were released into 25 acres on Grand…
Cloning method may help make personal stem cells
WASHINGTON (AP) — Scientists used a cloning technique to create the type of customised stem cells that show promise for treating disease. But the first-of-its-kind result comes with a big hitch. The newly created stem cells have too much genetic…
Dream is over for Virgin Galactic space tourist
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Venture capitalist Alan Walton has trekked to the North Pole, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and skydived over Mount Everest. A hop into space to enjoy a few minutes of weightlessness would have been the ultimate adventure. After…
Full bladders, wasabi alarm earn Ig Nobels
BOSTON (AP) — Driving while desperately needing to urinate isn’t a crime, but maybe it should be. Peter Snyder and his colleagues found that having a bladder at its bursting point reduced attention span and the ability to make decisions…
China launches module for space station
BEIJING (AP) — China launched an experimental module to lay the groundwork for a future space station on Thursday, underscoring its ambitions to become a major space power. The box car-sized Tiangong-1 module was shot into space from the Jiuquan…
Earth to satellite: When will you hit and where?
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA scientists are doing their best to tell us where a plummeting six-ton satellite will fall later this week. It’s just that if they’re off a little bit, it could mean the difference between hitting…
Not just science fiction: Planet orbits 2 suns
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) — Astronomers say a bit of science fiction is now reality. They’ve spotted a planet orbiting two suns. The discovery was made by NASA’s planet-hunting telescope Kepler. Scientists describe the find in Friday’s issue of the…
