Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Mars Canyons Study Adds Clues about Possible Water


MARSDAILY
Mars Canyons Study Adds Clues about Possible Water Pasadena CA (JPL) Jul 11, 2016 - Puzzles persist about possible water at seasonally dark streaks on Martian slopes, according to a new study of thousands of such features in the Red Planet's largest canyon system. The study published investigated thousands of these warm-season features in the Valles Marineris region near Mars' equator. Some of the sites displaying the seasonal flows are canyon ridges and isolated peaks, g ... more

Hitomi Finds Quiet Space in the Heart of the Perseus Galaxy Cluster


STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Hitomi Finds Quiet Space in the Heart of the Perseus Galaxy Cluster New Haven CT (SPX) Jul 11, 2016 - In its brief time gathering data this year, the Hitomi X-ray Observatory discovered something quite serene: the calm core in a massive cluster of galaxies. Scientists from the international Hitomi mission report July 6 in the journal Nature that a "remarkably quiescent atmosphere" exists at the heart of the Perseus cluster, located in the constellation Perseus. The new information, obtaine ... more

The Truth About Drones in Construction and Infrastructure Inspection


UAV NEWS
The Truth About Drones in Construction and Infrastructure Inspection Melville NY (SPX) Jul 11, 2016 - BZ Media has announced the second in its series of critical examinations of the hype and reality behind certain vertical commercial drone markets, "The Truth About Drones in Construction and Infrastructure Inspection." The free report was commissioned by BZ Media and written and produced by Skylogic Research. "Since 2013, hundreds of firms across the globe have put in place proof-of- ... more

A decade of plant biology in space


SPACE TRAVEL
A decade of plant biology in space Paris (ESA) Jul 11, 2016 - On this day 10 years ago, Space Shuttle Discovery was launched to the International Space Station carrying ESA's European Modular Cultivation System - a miniature greenhouse to probe how plants grow in weightlessness. From looking at how plants know where to grow roots to how light can influence growth, and how the tips of plant roots bend as they grow, it is a flagship research facility on the ... more

Scientists outline stategy for AIDS cure


EPIDEMICS
Scientists outline stategy for AIDS cure Paris (AFP) July 11, 2016 - Calling the AIDS epidemic "the most important global health challenge in modern history," more than 50 top scientists pressed their case Monday for a drive to stop the killer disease in its tracks. Anchored by Nobel Medicine laureate Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, the group unveiled an aggressive research strategy for an outright cure - an objective once seen as unrealistic and out of reach. ... more

ChemChina extends $43 bn offer for agri-giant Syngenta


FARM NEWS
ChemChina extends $43 bn offer for agri-giant Syngenta Geneva (AFP) July 11, 2016 - State-owned China National Chemical Corp. said Monday it was extending its $43 billion agreed takeover for Swiss pesticide and seed giant Syngenta until September. The company, also known as ChemChina, said the offer for all Syngenta's shares in what would be by far the biggest-ever overseas acquisition by a Chinese firm was now open until at least September 13. "As previously stated, ex ... more

Study: Dinosuars may have been cooers and mumblers, not roarers


EARLY EARTH
Study: Dinosuars may have been cooers and mumblers, not roarers Austin, Texas (UPI) Jul 11, 2016 - New research suggests closed-mouth sounds made by modern birds may be analogous to dinosaur vocalization. Dinos might have been tight-lipped cooers and mumblers, not ferocious open-mouthed roarers as they're often depicted in film. The primary purpose of the new research was to document an oft-ignored avian vocalization method. Because birds are descendants of dinosaurs, the rese ... more