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December 28, 2015
New Type Of Rock Discovered On The Moon
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Yutu, photographed by its lander Chang'e-3, as it began its journey, which included sampling rocks of a composition never directly measured before. CNSA/CLEP
Yutu, the Chinese rover deployed by the lander Chang'e-3, has found a new type of lunar rock, something never before studied on the Moon or Earth.
It has been 45 years since the Apollo 11 astronauts brought back the first Moon rocks, and 39 years since Luna 24 returned further samples, but discoveries have not stopped. Two years ago, Chang'e-3 landed next to a recent impact crater within the Imbrium basin. Yutu moseyed over to sample the rim of what is now known as Zi Wei crater (Purple Palace in English).
Human Tissue Successfully Grafted Into Monkeys With Damaged Retinas
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The study suggests it could be possible to treat retinitis pigmentosa by transplanting stem cell-derived tissue. Left-Handed Photography/Shutterstock
There could be hope on the horizon for an untreatable genetic disease: Scientists have successfully grown eye tissue in the lab and transplanted it into monkeys with models of a human degenerative disease that affects the retina. Not only did the graft survive, but it also showed signs of integration with the recipient’s eye cells, forming connections across which information could potentially flow.
Cassini Bids Farewell To Saturn’s Enceladus In Final, Remarkable Flyby
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A dimly-lit Enceladus, illuminated from behind by Saturn’s upper atmospheric haze. NASA
Say goodbye to Enceladus: The Cassini spacecraft has finished its final flyby of the mysterious icy moon of Saturn. After receiving streams of data over the weekend, NASA has showcased some of the most beautiful astrophotography taken by the probe.
What Does Space Do To Your Immune System?
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Scott Kelly injecting himself with the flu vaccine while on the ISS. NASA
In the absence of hospitals and doctors, crew members traveling to the International Space Station have to be incredibly careful about the potential of introducing infectious agents. It is for this reason that before any astronaut blasts off, they have to spend two weeks in quarantine with no exposure to the outside world. When we travel further afield and into deeper space, it will therefore be vital to understand how the body may respond to infection in such environments.
This Sea Snails Change Sex In A Very Weird Way
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Slipper limpets are one of many species of sea snail which change sex after reaching maturity. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
It might sound like an unfortunate and inconvenient superpower, but a species of sea snail known as the slipper limpet appears to change sex from male to female as a result of touching other males. Naturally, this transformation isn’t instant and doesn’t occur with each contact, although it does provide a clue as to how, when, and why these intriguing aquatic snails switch sex – something that has fascinated marine biologists for many years.
Enormous Galaxy Tail Is Twice The Length Of The Milky Way
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The amazing trail of gas is 250,000 light-years long. X-ray: NASA/CXC/University of Bonn/G. Schellenberger et al; Optical: INT
This stunning image is far more than just a worthy screensaver. Captured by NASA’s Chandra X-ray observatory, this twinkling celestial scene shows something truly mind-boggling: a stream of scorching hot gas 250,000 light-years in length. That’s twice the diameter of our host galaxy, the Milky Way.
Here’s What Sex Looks Like From INSIDE The Vagina
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A pair of "scientists" doing an "experiment". Photographee.eu/Shutterstock
Warning: This video is not safe for work. Or home. Or the bus. Or prison. Basically, it’s completely obscene – but since it counts as science, we’re going to show it.
A couple of participants had cameras attached to all of their saucy parts and jiggly bits, and then were filmed having sexual intercourse in the missionary position. Via a tiny lens placed inside the vagina itself, viewers can get a close-up of the penis as it enters, stimulating the clitoris and the front vaginal wall, where the G-spot is located.
Answer Monday
This, this is Diplocaulus
A lepospondyl amphibian
Praise, praise, praise to Ron Pine:
He won himself the blue ribbon.
Unfortunately, the commenting system here broke over the weekend. (It is being fixed now.) Dan Phelps was the first person to e-mail the correct answer to the NCSE office, but Ron Pine already posted the correct answer on Facebook. (Most of the Facebookers thought that it was Tiktaalik.)
(A tip of the beribboned hat to Steven Newton, who took the photograph.)
Happy News! Masturbation Actually Has Health Benefits
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Masturbation a natural and normal part of healthy sexual development. Eileen McFall
Conduct an Internet search for “masturbation,” and you will find hundreds, if not thousands, of slang phrases for the act.
This proliferation of slang phrases suggests people want to talk about masturbation, but are uncomfortable about doing so directly. Using comedic terms provides a more socially acceptable way to express themselves.
December 27, 2015
The Science Behind Rudolph’s Red Nose
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We haven't explained how reindeer fly, but we know why a red nose is particularly useful. Credit: Robert van den Baar/Shutterstock
Robert May, author of the tale of Rudolph the nasally colorful reindeer may have known a lot more science than we usually give him credit for. Seventy-six years after May invented Rudolph as a marketing gimmick for retailer Montgomery Ward, a paper has been published explaining the story in line with the latest discoveries about reindeer vision.
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