Sci-Tech

SpaceX launches first recycled rocket

by Kerry SHERIDAN Agence France Presse MIAMI, United States (AFP) — SpaceX blasted off a recycled rocket for the first time on Thursday, using a booster that had previously flown cargo to the astronauts living at the International Space Station. The rocket rose into the sky over Cape Canaveral, Florida at 6:27 pm (2227 GMT), on a mission to send a communications satellite for Luxembourg-based company SES into a distant orbit. “No one has ever […]

US astronaut breaks record for most spacewalks by a woman

by Kerry SHERIDAN Agence France-Presse MIAMI, United States – American astronaut Peggy Whitson made history when she floated outside the International Space Station on Thursday, breaking the record for the most spacewalks by a woman. Whitson, 57, is making her eighth career spacewalk, surpassing the record of seven previously held by American Suni Williams. The spacewalk formally began at 7:29 am (1129 GMT) when Whitson and her NASA colleague Shane Kimbrough switched their spacesuits to […]

SpaceX poised to launch first recycled rocket

by Kerry SHERIDAN Agence France-Presse MIAMI, United States (AFP) — SpaceX is poised to launch its first recycled rocket on Thursday, using a booster that sent food and supplies to the astronauts living at the International Space Station in April. The goal of the launch, scheduled for 6:27 pm (2227 GMT) from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is to send a communications satellite for Luxembourg-based company SES into a distant orbit. Standing tall at the NASA launchpad, […]

Japan scientist eyes energy burst from ‘typhoon turbine’

by Harumi OZAWA Agence France-Presse JAPAN (AFP) — Most people look for a place to hide when a typhoon is on the horizon, but Atsushi Shimizu hopes that the fury of nature may one day help resource-poor Japan tackle its energy woes. As thousands of Australians seek shelter from a “monster” cyclone battering the country’s northern coast, the Tokyo-based engineer believes that his bladeless wind turbine can not only stand up to the raw force […]

Japan scientist eyes energy burst from ‘typhoon turbine’

by Harumi OZAWA Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Most people look for a place to hide when a typhoon is on the horizon, but Atsushi Shimizu hopes that the fury of nature may one day help resource-poor Japan tackle its energy woes. As thousands of Australians seek shelter from a “monster” cyclone battering the country’s northern coast, the Tokyo-based engineer believes that his bladeless wind turbine can not only stand up to the […]

Oil-soaking sponge could help clean up serious spills

(Reuters) — The Oleo Sponge can soak up oil in water super quick. It could one day help clean up major spills like the one at Deepwater Horizon seven years ago. Developed at Argonne National Laboratory, it’s made of a polyurethane foam like that used in mattresses. The foam’s interior surfaces are covered with oleophilic, or oil-attracted, molecules that draw oil from the water. The material can be wrung out in order to be reused. […]

Fruit fuelled evolution of a bigger brain: study

by Joshua MELVIN Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Humans likely developed large and powerful brains, researchers said Monday, with the help of what is today the simplest of snacks: fruit. Eating fruit was a key step up from the most basic of foodstuffs, such as leaves, and provided the energy needed to grow bulkier brains, the scientists argued. “That’s how we got these crazy huge brains,” said the study’s corresponding author Alex Decasien, […]

Tech world debate on robots and jobs heats up

by Rob Lever Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Are robots coming for your job? Although technology has long affected the labor force, recent advances in artificial intelligence and robotics are heightening concerns about automation replacing a growing number of occupations, including highly skilled or “knowledge-based” jobs. Just a few examples: self-driving technology may eliminate the need for taxi, Uber and truck drivers, algorithms are playing a growing role in journalism, robots are […]

China’s surface ozone pollution damaging rice yields, threatens global food security – study

KARAWANG, Indonesia (Reuters) — A new study paints an alarming picture for the future of the rice industry. Researchers found that a high level of surface ozone pollution is wreaking havoc on a stage of the rice plant’s development in China – the world’s largest producer of the staple crop. “Peaks in ozone when you have 2 or 3 really bad days of high surface ozone which is like air pollution can have huge impact […]

Scientists launch campaign to restore Pluto to the planet club

Reuters — A team of scientists seeking to restore Pluto to planet hood launched a campaign on Tuesday (March 21) to broaden the astronomical classifications which led to its demotion to a “dwarf planet” a decade ago. Six scientists from institutions across the United States argued that Pluto deserves to be a full planet, along with some 110 other bodies in the solar system, including Earth’s moon. In a paper presented at an international planetary […]

SpaceX cargo craft released from space station to return to Earth

Reuters — The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft left the International Space Station on Sunday (March 19) to begin its journey back to Earth The resupply cargo craft was released from the ISS at 0411EDT (0911GMT) and was set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California after a five-hour journey, according to NASA. NASA says the cargo shift was carrying some 5,400 pounds (2,450 kilos) of gear and scientific samples for […]