Yahoo! News: Science News

Shuttle, astronauts prep for mid-mission reboost (AP)

In this image from NASA TV, mission specialist Shane Kimbrough cleans and lubricates the end of the International Space Stations' robotic arm during a space walk, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/NASA TV)AP - Astronauts at the international space station prepared to work on a urine-recycling contraption and re-fire the space shuttle's thrusters Friday, before enjoying a half-day off to reboost their own energy.


Scientists say Copernicus' remains, grave found (AP)

In this image provided by the Kronenberg Foundation in Warsaw on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, a computer-generated reconstruction of what astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus may have looked like on the basis of a skull discovered in the cathedral in Frombork, northern Poland, is seen. Polish and Swedish researchers said Thursday they have identified the remains of Nicolaus Copernicus by comparing DNA from a skeleton they have found with that taken from hair retrieved from one of the 16th-century astronomer's books. (AP Photo/Kronenberg Foundation, HO)AP - Researchers said Thursday they have identified the remains of Nicolaus Copernicus by comparing DNA from a skeleton and hair retrieved from one of the 16th-century astronomer's books. The findings could put an end to centuries of speculation about the exact resting spot of Copernicus, a priest and astronomer whose theories identified the Sun, not the Earth, as the center of the universe.


Urban growers go high-tech to feed city dwellers (AP)

Terry Fujimoto , plant sciences professor at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, checks his students' hydroponics agriculture projects inside a greenhouse on the campus in Pomona, Calif. on Monday, Nov. 17, 2008. Fujimoto's program is at the forefront of an effort to use hydroponics — a method of growing plants in water instead of soil — to bring farming into the urban areas where consumers are concentrated. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)AP - Terry Fujimoto sees the future of agriculture in the exposed roots of the leafy greens he and his students grow in thin streams of water at a campus greenhouse.


Study shows messiness leads to behavior decline (AP) AP - Does a messy neighborhood make a difference on how people act? It sure does! Graffiti on the walls, trash in the street, bicycles chained to a fence, all resulted in a decline in how people behaved in a series of experiments.

Scientists Team Up with Hollywood (LiveScience.com) LiveScience.com - When the worlds of science and Hollywood collide, the results often highlight the differences between the two realms instead of celebrating their similarities. The National Academy of Sciences is trying to change that with a new initiative called, "The Science and Entertainment Exchange."

Weather around the U.S.A. (AP) AP - Weather around the U.S.A.

Astronauts finish second spacewalk outside station (Reuters)

NASA guests pose for pictures in front of the space shuttle Endeavour at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida November 13, 2008. The shuttle is covered by the protective Rotating Service Structure. Launch of Endeavour on Mission STS-126 to the International Space Station is scheduled for November 14. (Scott Audette/Reuters)Reuters - Shuttle Endeavour astronauts working outside the orbiting International Space Station faced glitches during a second spacewalk on Thursday, as one astronaut experienced high carbon-dioxide levels after his crew mate lost a tool bag on the mission's first spacewalk.


Dems look to stop endangered species rule changes (AP)

A gopher frog sits in the hand of Audubon Zoo curator Nick hanna in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008. For the first time in 10 years, a pond in south Mississippi got enough rain this year to let gopher frogs, one of the nation's most endangered animals, turn from tadpole to frog without human help. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)AP - With the Bush administration on the verge of relaxing regulations protecting endangered species, Democratic leaders are looking at ways to overturn any last-minute rule changes.


Mammoth task: Scientists map DNA of ancient beast (AP)

This undated handout photo provided by Stephen Schuster, Penn State University, shows a ball of permafrost-preserved mammoth hair containing thick outer-coat and thin under-coat hairs. (AP Photo/Stephen Schuster, Penn State University)AP - Bringing "Jurassic Park" one step closer to reality, scientists have deciphered much of the genetic code of the woolly mammoth, a feat they say could allow them to recreate the shaggy, prehistoric beast in as little as a decade or two.


Central bankers wary of deflation (Reuters)

A trader takes a moment's rest on the floor of the Philippine Stock Exchange which closed down 4.15 percent in today's trading in Makati City, Manila November 21, 2008. (Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)Reuters - Euro zone demand is plunging and price pressures vanishing, business surveys showed on Friday, while central bankers weighed the bleak prospect of deflation.