Sexual Reproduction in Space Will Likely be Impossible Says Nasa

reproduction in space

Sexual reproduction is likely to be impossible in space due to cosmic radiation bombarding the human body.

Researchers at the agency’s Ames Research Centre in California found that without effective shielding on spacecraft, powerful proton particles would probably sterilize any female embryo conceived in deep space.

The Search is On for a Giant New Planet Hiding on the Outer Edge of Our Solar System

tyche

Researchers propose new planet “Tyche” on distant fringe of solar system.

If you grew up thinking there were nine planets and were shocked when Pluto was demoted five years ago, get ready for another surprise. There may be nine after all, and Jupiter may not be the largest.

 

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Doctors Warn Energy Drinks Putting Consumers at Risk as Sales Soar

energy-drink

Around the world there are signs that for some people who consume these drinks, there are side effects.

With Americans chugging energy drinks like never before, fears are growing among doctors that the ingredients might be putting some consumers at risk.   The beverages contain a hodgepodge of caffeine, sugar and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbal extracts, whose effects aren’t well understood.

 

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‘Hormonal’ Women Have Prettier Faces

face-estrogen

Typical female face with high (left) and low (right) oestrogen levels

Women with high levels of the sex hormone oestrogen have prettier faces, research suggests.  The findings make evolutionary sense – men are attracted to the most fertile women, the University of St Andrews team told a Royal Society journal. (pics)

 

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Sheep Are More Intelligent Than Previously Thought – They Can Even Make ‘Executive Decisions’

smart sheep

Sheep can remember faces and have long memories.

Sheep aren’t as stupid as previously thought, according to researchers.  Never considered particularly intelligent, sheep are actually so smart they make ‘executive decisions’ and have long memories, remembering friends for two years.

 

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Amazing Slow-Motion Video Shot 2,564 Frames per Second with a Phantom Flex Camera

water dripping in slow motion

Tom Guilmette was playing around and testing out the Phantom Flex camera in his hotel room.

Ever wanted to see flowing water slowed down to the point of transforming into a series of airborne droplets? This video has that. And more. A chap by the name of Tom Guilmette got to work with a Vision Research Phantom Flex camera recently, and, being the true geek that he is, he put together a video composition of staggering slow-motion footage.  (Video)

 

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Information Age Overload – Every Day Average Person Produces Six Newspapers Worth of Information

Information_Overload

We receive 5 times more information today than we did in 1986.

If you think that you are suffering from information overload then you may be right – a new study shows everyone is bombarded by the equivalent of 174 newspapers of data a day.   The growth in the internet, 24-hour television and mobile phones means that we now receive five times as much information every day as we did in 1986.

Astronauts Could One Day Reach Mars by Riding Asteroids

asteroids-space-taxi-mars-travel

In 2005, Japan’s unmanned Hayabusa spacecraft (illustration) successfully landed on an asteroid.

Getting to Mars is going to involve building a huge spacecraft and loading it up with tons of fuel and radiation shielding. Unless, that is, we could just tag along with a spacecraft that’s already headed in that direction, like an asteroid.

 

 

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Leaderless Ants Create Super Efficient Transport Networks

leaderless ants

Argentine ants connect three nests in an empty arena via the shortest possible network.

Ants are able to connect multiple sites in the shortest possible way, and in doing so, create efficient transport networks, according to a University of Sydney study published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.  The research also revealed the process by which the ants solve network design problems without the help of a leader.

 

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