Scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland released more research in Nature that provides further evidence that the universe shouldn’t exist, which, of course, only makes the question ‘why are we here, then?’ all the more confounding. Read more →
MPR News Reflections and observations on the news
Science
We do not get many opportunities to pause and reflect on the abilities of the human mind, but today is providing the chance to consider the possibilities of genius, particularly when you consider the relatively short time since humans mastered flight. Read more →
Today’s the day the total solar eclipse distracts America from, well, everything. The better-enjoy-it-now spectacle will cost the United States almost $700 million in lost productivity during the “roughly 20 minutes that outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas estimates workers will take out of their workday on Monday to stretch their legs, head outside the office and Read more →
Every Monday should start with a SpaceX launch and main booster return to earth.
We do some pretty cool things on this planet and today’s launch and recovery puts SpaceX near the top of the list. Read more →
Every now and again I am reminded that although the possibilities of new technology are endless, the advances can come at the expense of the documentation of our past. And that in our digital age, history evaporates quickly. Read more →
Once they reach the adult stage, mayflies have about 24 hours to mate and lay eggs. No pressure there, eh, mayflies?
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In his early years in the U.S. Senate, Al Franken tended to avoid comedy. When his book came out this year, Franken dared to be funny again, discovering that comedy is great storytelling and great storytelling is part of the art of politics. Read more →
A big chunk of ice broke off from Antarctica today and we’re running out of ways to tell you how big it is. Read more →
Apparently, our species took a giant step forward on Friday and nobody realized it, at least until today when the Washington Post reported on the work of John Pratt, the chief of quantum measurement at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which oversees weights and measures in the United States. He and his colleagues Read more →
For the most part, earthlings have been listening for signs of life from another system rather than sending out signals to let someone else ‘out there’ know we’re here. That, apparently is about to change because SETI Institute scientist Douglas Vakoch, is planning an ongoing series of messages to begin in 2018. Not everyone is convinced that’s a good idea. Read more →
The engineering report, funded by a quarry, has now set off a dispute with the U.S. Geological Survey which insists the blast, registering 2.8 on the Richter Scale, was caused by blasting. But the report says that an earthquake occurred seven seconds after the quarry blast, two miles below the ground and a mile south of the quarry.
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A science teacher’s experience in coal country is illuminating the problem science teachers are facing in 2017: many kids don’t want to learn science they don’t agree with. Read more →
As documented here a few years ago, local TV meteorologists historically have been reluctant to take a position on — or even discuss –climate change. Too many viewers were quick to pounce. Paul Douglas has never been a coward on the subject, however, as he showed again yesterday with a single tweet. Read more →
Someday this will be generally ignored, as the space program was once it became routine. Today is not that day, however. Read more →
It’s the chemical Oxybenzone, which the scientists say has the same effect as gasoline. It’s in your sunscreen. Read more →