ريتشارد دوكنز's Blog, page 630

Ancient Cave Lions And Woolly Rhinos Could Help Clear Up Oil Spills

Environment





Photo credit:

Catmando/Shutterstock

Apparently not put off by the warning from “Jurassic Park,” scientists have been teasing us with the possibility of reintroducing extinct species for some time. For the meantime, it seems like the bacteria they find on these ancient beasts might be of more interest than the animals themselves.

The Legal Drug That Kills More People Than Heroin

Health and Medicine





Photo credit:

Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock

Since Nixon declared a “war on drugs” during a speech in 1971 drug policy has been dominated by a certain style of aggressive tactics and rhetoric to curb recreational drug-use, arguably driven less by science and statistics and more by economics and emotion. Last year, over $51 billion (£34 billion) was spent towards this cause in the U.S. alone.

This Neptune-Sized Exoplanet Has A Blue Sky Like Earth

Space





Photo credit:

Artists impression of GJ 3470b and its host star, by NAOJ.

Astronomers can learn a lot about a planet using very little. In this specific case, a team of researchers was able to find out that the sky of an exoplanet 100 light-years from Earth is blue. The planet, which is about the size of Neptune, is the smallest on which Rayleigh scattering – the same effect responsible for the blue sky on Earth – has been detected.

New Distance Record Set In Entangling Electrons

Technology





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One of the laser guides used in the experiment. Yu et al./Stanford

A new day, a new quantum computing record broken. In new research, physicists from Stanford were able to entangle two electrons that were located 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from each other.

Scientists Capture Sneezes In High-Speed Video

Health and Medicine





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Winter is coming. Super-sneezers: cover your nose. TimVickers/Wikimedia Commons; CC BY 2.0

Sneezing is your nose’s way of ejecting any irritants or foreign bodies that have snuck inside it; unfortunately, if you happen to be nearby anyone as you eject the sticky mass out of your nasal cavities, they may get infected with your germs.

The Cheshire Cat Galaxy Group, Where Alice In Wonderland Meets Einstein

Space





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The Cheshire Cat Galaxy Group. NASA/CXC/UA/J.Irwin et al/STScI

Today marks 100 years since the publication of Einstein's general theory of relativity, and tomorrow the 150th anniversary of "Alice in Wonderland." So NASA thought it would be a perfect occasion to release a visible/X-ray image of the Cheshire Cat group of galaxies.

Australia To Deploy “Shark Drones”

Plants and Animals





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Shark attacks have been on the rise in many parts of Australia. mingis/Shutterstock

After a spate of shark attacks off the coast of New South Wales this year, the authorities are turning to technology to try and help protect beachgoers. So far, there have been 13 shark attacks this year alone, one of which was fatal, and up from just three the year before. The situation has sparked great debate on how best to deter the animals from coming too close to the coast and save people’s lives. This week saw the beginning of tests using aerial drones to scout and track sharks.

Eight Mind-Melting Water Tricks You Can Try At Home

Chemistry





Photo credit:

BuzzFeedYellow/YouTube

Water – the wonderful threesome between two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen – is one of the most incredible substances in our universe. Everyday we’re constantly using its properties, whether you know it or not.

Check out the experiments in this video by BuzzFeedYellow that show off some of the miraculous properties of water, using items you’ll probably have in your cupboards at home.

 

 

Finally, Most Young Americans Now Accept Evolution Over Creationism

Editor's Blog





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The new survey shows 51 percent of young American adults accept evolution in its entirity. alice-photo/Shutterstock

Creationism is nothing short of an anti-scientific superstition, but right-wing evangelicals in the U.S. have been pushing for it to be taught in science classes across the nation, rebranding it as “Intelligent Design.” Partly because of this, and a persistent distrust in scientists, the U.S.

Double-Decker Solar Cells Capture More Sunlight

Physics





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The fact that the new perovskite solar cell lets through most of the light it doesn't use gives cell designers a second chance to catch the energy. Empa

Swiss engineers have demonstrated tandem solar cells layered so they can catch more of the solar spectrum, providing a route to cheaper and more efficient solar power. The cells are not yet ready for commercial applications, but could mark a major step forwards for renewable energy.