Dense knots of dust in otherwise normal galaxies dim the light of a dark gamma-ray burst
Gamma-ray bursts are the universe’s biggest explosions, capable of producing so much light that ground-based telescopes easily detect it billions of light-years away. Yet, for more than a decade, astronomers have puzzled over the nature of so-called dark bursts, which [...]

 
Sagebrush exhibits communication only when air contact is allowed
To thine own self be true” may take on a new meaning—not with people or animal behavior but with plant behavior.

 
far-infrared image of M51, the ‘whirlpool galaxy’
Herschel opened its ‘eyes’ on 14 June and the Photoconductor Array Camera and Spectrometer obtained images of M51, ‘the whirlpool galaxy’ for a first test observation. Scientists obtained images in three colours from the observation, which clearly demonstrate the excellence of Herschel, the largest infrared space telescope ever flown.

 
helioseismic map of the solar interior
The sun is in the pits of a century-class solar minimum, and sunspots have been puzzlingly scarce for more than two years. Now, for the first time, solar physicists might understand why.

Breast cancer cells (in green) grow only on blood vessels (red) in the brain of a mouse. 
Research has shown for the first time how cancers that spread to the brain establish themselves and begin to grow.
The Oxford University study, published in the journal PLoS One, has identified the mechanism that metastatic cancer cells use to [...]

A 31-year-old Whitman native suffered life-threatening burns after pouring gasoline on a backyard fire pit in Abington Saturday night, causing an explosion.

 Recent cutbacks at the CIA have given rise to a new breed of retro-spy
We have no idea why some of these photos exist. We don’t even know the story behind them or the date and time they were taken. But we do know that these are some of the craziest stuff we’ve run into all [...]

Cars that allow drivers to eat and sleep 
Imagine cars that would allow you to eat, read, watch television and even sleep behind the wheel while travelling at a speed of 70 mph on the  highway.

Electric Fish
Mathematicians in Manchester are hoping electric fish can give them clues to solving a fiendishly complex mathematical problem – which could in turn lead to better treatment for patients with lung problems.

BubbleTree Treehouse 
A tree house is a romantic hideaway close to nature and it does bring out the child in you again. Enter BubbleTree, a company offering a trendy habitat that will appeal to both the nature lovers and those on the hunt for unusual creations. It’s a small wooden platform installed in a tree, which [...]