Fish Fins Can Sense Touch

Fish Fins Can Sense Touch

The human fingertip is a finely tuned sensory machine, and even slight touches convey a great deal of information about our physical environment. It turns out, some fish use their pectoral fins in…
There Is Still Hope After Entropy

There Is Still Hope After Entropy

The first law of thermodynamics is commonly known as the law of conservation of energy.  This means that in any process, no matter how big, small, long or short, the amount of energy of the…
What Makes A True Scientist?

What Makes A True Scientist?

Is a scientist someone who does science? It depends on who you ask, according to a presentation at the AAAS meeting in Washington, D.C.  A century ago, an occupation based on intelligence was…
How DNA Can Fight Fabric Fraud

How DNA Can Fight Fabric Fraud

The most desirable cotton is distinguished by having extra-long staple fibers (Egyptian, Pima) and such cotton commands a price premium. But as the cotton moves around the world, and through the…
Proto-planet Has 2 Masters

Proto-planet Has 2 Masters

HOUSTON - (Feb. 13, 2016) - A Rice University researcher will discuss images that may show the formation of a planet -- or a planetary system -- around a distant binary star at the annual meeting of…
The Power Of GW150914

The Power Of GW150914

September 14th 2015, 09:50 GMT. A far spread out distortion of space crossed earth's path. The distortion had traveled at the speed of light for more than a billion years, all along the way spreading…
Using Stories To Teach Human Values To Robots

Using Stories To Teach Human Values To Robots

The rapid pace of artificial intelligence (AI) has raised fears about whether robots could act unethically or soon choose to harm humans. Some are calling for bans on robotics research; others are…
A New Form Of Frozen Water?

A New Form Of Frozen Water?

Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 12, 2016 -- Amid the season known for transforming Nebraska into an outdoor ice rink, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln-led research team has predicted a new molecular form of the…