Sunday, April 24, 2011

Science

Col. Michael T. Good, left, and Garrett E. Reisman during a shuttle mission last May. Dr. Reisman recently left the astronaut corps.
NASA, via Associated Press

Col. Michael T. Good, left, and Garrett E. Reisman during a shuttle mission last May. Dr. Reisman recently left the astronaut corps.

As the space shuttle program comes to an end, it is a time of great uncertainty for those whose job involves spaceflight.

City Critic

A 150,000-Pound Hand-Me-Down. Yay?

The regifting to New York of the Enterprise, a shuttle that never flew in space, makes one wonder: Is this a good deal?

Observatory

Examining Breed-Related Causes of Death for Dogs

Researchers find that golden retrievers and boxers had the highest rates of cancer and that for several toy breeds, the leading cause of death was trauma.

Observatory

Satellite Images Add to Ranks of Barrier Islands

Using satellite photographs, scientists have found almost 13,000 miles of shoreline occupied by more than 2,100 barrier islands worldwide.

Science Times: April 19, 2011
Milton Glaser

Scientists are trying to understand and quantify what makes music expressive, and the results are contributing to a greater understanding of how the brain works.

Whales’ Grandeur and Grace, Up Close

A photographer has created 25 true-scale pictures, including two full portraits — each composed from dozens of photographs of different sections of the whale’s body.

Books on Science

Eighty Years Along, a Longevity Study Still Has Ground to Cover

Researchers find conscientiousness might be the key to a long life.

NASA Awards $269 Million for Private Projects

The government increases its bet that private companies can take astronauts into orbit quicker and cheaper.

Reptiles Eat With the Bones Humans Hear With, Fossil Proves

A well-preserved fossil bears the first paleontological evidence showing the close relationship between the lower jaw and the middle ear.

More News

BP Agrees to Pay $1 Billion for Start of Gulf Restoration

The payment to five states and the federal government will count toward the company’s final liability.

Wildlife at Risk Face Long Line at U.S. Agency

The Fish and Wildlife Service is struggling with an avalanche of petitions and lawsuits over the endangered species list.

Bacterial Ecosystems Divide People Into 3 Groups, Scientists Say

Scientists report that the three “enterotypes” may have discrete effects on people’s health.

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More Multimedia

Interactive Feature: What Makes Music Expressive?

What makes music expressive? Quiz yourself based on new research.

Slide Show: The First Close-Ups of Mercury

NASA’s Messenger spacecraft sent back the first of what is expected to be 75,000 photographs during a yearlong investigation of Mercury.

Slide Show: Readers’ Photos: A Family’s Best Friend?

Photos and stories of pets that were viewed differently by family members.

Interactive Feature: Rock-Paper-Scissors: You vs. the Computer

Test your strategy against the computer in this rock-paper-scissors game illustrating basic artificial intelligence.

Scientist at Work Blog

Braving Ice to Count Whales

Scientists brave ice, freezing wind and polar bears to survey the bowhead whales that pass through northern Alaska.

Podcast: Science Times
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This week: Your brain on music and recipes for health.

Science Columns
Observatory

A Recording Studio Found Under the Pacific

Whales all over the Pacific Ocean pick up the songs of humpbacks, turning them into worldwide hits.

Observatory

Some Dinosaurs Liked the Night Life, Eye Bones Show

The eye structure of the creatures shows that some functioned capably in the dark, contrary to popular belief.

Observatory

Warblers Have Ways to Resist Impostor Eggs

The cuckoo finch’s habit of laying its eggs in other birds’ nests provokes a variety of defense mechanisms in three species of warblers in Zambia, researchers say.

Q & A

Name Your Poison

Taking small doses of arsenic may help someone survive what could be a fatal dose.

The Sea Turtles’ Plight

A year after the BP oil spill, endangered sea turtles still wash up dead on Gulf of Mexico shores in large numbers. A federal investigation suggests that the culprit is likely not oil.

Health Columns
Personal Best

For an Exercise Afterburn, Intensity May Be the Key

One study finds a hard workout’s calorie-burning benefits continue after the exercise is done.

Personal Health

The Nose May Not Know What It’s Missing

Smell and taste disorders can affect more than the ability to “smell the roses” in life and to enjoy food.

Really?

The Claim: To Reduce Snoring, Try Sleeping on Your Side

Advice long given to snorers may not work for everyone.

Opinion
Dot Earth Blog

Bloggingheads: Growing Pains in Gas Country

A discussion of issues and opportunities related to the natural gas boom with an investigative reporter whose beat is fracking.

Wordplay Blog

Numberplay: Car Talk Pet Store Puzzler

An animal puzzler from the popular NPR radio show Car Talk.

Science, Environment and Health Series | Special Sections