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You choose the headlines to display... Customize this page! USANEWS.INFO MSNBC Science and Space News Real-life skull tale inspires movie Mon, 12 May 2008 04:05:46 GMT There is a legend that the ancient Maya possessed 13 crystal skulls which, when united, hold the power of saving the Earth — a tale so strange and fantastic that it inspired the latest Indiana Jones movie. The science of moms Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:22:06 GMT Science has linked strong mom-and-baby bonds to smarter, healthier and happier children. Turns out, nature — our DNA — alone might not guarantee these coveted characteristics. A crash course in true political science Fri, 9 May 2008 22:37:26 GMT Daniel Suson has a doctorate in astrophysics and has worked on the superconducting super collider and a forthcoming NASA probe. Now he's heading back to school to take on an even trickier task — getting elected to public office. Cosmic Log: A new captain boldly goes Fri, 9 May 2008 22:37:26 GMT Oldest gorilla looks fabulous at 55 Fri, 9 May 2008 14:38:50 GMT A gorilla recognized as the world's oldest in captivity celebrated her 55th birthday by munching down a four-layer frozen fruit cake and banana leaf wrapped treats. Newfound spider named Neil Young Fri, 9 May 2008 18:50:43 GMT Jason Bond, a biologist at East Carolina University, named a newly discovered arachnid, Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi, in honor of rock musician Neil Young. Cats can help male mice get ladies Fri, 9 May 2008 15:36:24 GMT Cat odor is known scare mice away, but it also seems to act like an aphrodisiac for the rodents, a new study shows. Newsweek: Killer cyclone was no surprise Fri, 9 May 2008 15:36:24 GMT Killer storms of the world Thu, 8 May 2008 20:37:54 GMT Myanmar cyclone ranks among the deadliest Asian storms in modern times. Here are nine more of the deadliest storms since 1970, plus the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history. Is Mother Nature acting out? Thu, 8 May 2008 18:09:10 GMT Quakes in Reno? A cyclone in Asia? It's just another week for Planet Earth. Test your science and space smarts Thu, 8 May 2008 18:09:10 GMT What do you know about the week in science and space news? Take MSNBC.com's weekly quiz and see how much you remember. Seaweed solves ancient American mystery Thu, 8 May 2008 19:35:29 GMT Remains of meals that included seaweed are helping confirm the date of a settlement in southern Chile that may offer the earliest evidence of humans in the Americas. 'Speed Racer' car faces reality check Thu, 8 May 2008 16:18:09 GMT The technology for the individual features already exists, including military drones to send for help. But engineering, testing and producing all the car's special features would cost millions of dollars, she added. Dirt problem overlooked in food crisis Thu, 8 May 2008 19:04:14 GMT Science has provided the souped-up seeds to feed the world, through biotechnology and old-fashioned crossbreeding. Now the problem is the dirt they're planted in. MSNBC Science and Space News USA Today Science and Space News Is global warming to blame for Burma cyclone? Thu, 8 May 2008 20:44:52 GMT It was Asia's answer to Hurricane Katrina. Packing winds upwards of 120 mph, Cyclone Nargis became one of Asia's deadliest storms by hitting land at one of the lowest points in Burma. Some scientists suggest that global warming may have played a role. Last year, a U.N. panel concluded that warming oceans could contribute to increasingly severe cyclones with stronger winds and heavier rains. Data from Columbia shuttle survives accident Fri, 9 May 2008 18:05:13 GMT Jon Edwards often manages what appears impossible. He has recovered precious data from computers wrecked in floods and fires and dumped in lakes. Meal remains may point to earliest American settlement Thu, 8 May 2008 19:31:38 GMT Remains of meals that included seaweed are helping confirm the date of a settlement in southern Chile that may offer the earliest evidence of humans in the Americas. Researchers date the seaweed found at Monte Verde to more than 14,000 years ago, 1,000 years earlier than the well-studied Clovis culture. New in mortuary science: Dissolving bodies with lye Thu, 8 May 2008 19:22:29 GMT Since they first walked the planet, humans have either buried or burned their dead. Now a new option is generating interest dissolving bodies in lye and flushing the brownish, syrupy residue down the drain. Gene map proves platypus is part bird, mammal and reptile Thu, 8 May 2008 12:54:40 GMT Scientists said they have mapped the genetic makeup of the platypus one of nature's strangest animals with a bill like a duck's, a mammal's fur and snake-like venom. John Glenn wants shuttles' lives extended Wed, 7 May 2008 18:47:55 GMT For legendary astronaut and former senator John Glenn, the video clips brought back memories of old friends. For the rest of the nation, they provided a glimpse of NASA's glory days. DNA tech traces meat to original animal Wed, 7 May 2008 18:30:40 GMT An Ireland-based company that uses DNA technology to test and track meat to the original animal and prove that it's what the label promises is now targeting U.S. retailers. HP wants more help from scientists Wed, 7 May 2008 18:14:34 GMT HP will solicit applications from university researchers, then fund dozens of projects for up to three years. Each grant would cover the cost of a graduate student researcher. Farmer is green energy pioneer in Ohio Wed, 7 May 2008 12:26:28 GMT A 79-year-old farmer has become an Ohio pioneer in green farming and renewable energy, jumping into it in hopes of increasing energy efficiency, cutting costs and protecting the environment. Scientists: Warming is a threat to tropical species Tue, 6 May 2008 22:11:51 GMT While global warming is expected to be strongest at the poles, it may be an even greater threat to species living in the tropics, scientists say. U.S. to return stolen dinosaur eggs to Argentina Tue, 6 May 2008 00:11:19 GMT A senior U.S. Homeland Security official is in Argentina to discuss money laundering, human trafficking and dinosaur eggs. 'Iron Man' is the new face of military contractors Mon, 5 May 2008 18:11:27 GMT The Marvel comic book character's suit embodies a futuristic technology that may enhance human capabilities in war, but the current battlefield belongs to a growing swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and robots that could someday give even Iron Man a run for his money. Report: DNA tests add to Schiller mystery Mon, 5 May 2008 17:02:55 GMT Who is buried in Friedrich Schiller's tomb? Several people, apparently, but none of them the famous poet and playwright, according to new research. Wounded bald eagle will get 'bionic' beak Mon, 5 May 2008 16:20:50 GMT She has been named Beauty, though this eagle is anything but. Part of Beauty's beak was shot off several years ago, leaving her with a stump that is useless for hunting food. A team of volunteers is working to attach an artificial beak to the disfigured bird, in an effort to keep her alive. Smarter electric grid could be key to saving power Mon, 5 May 2008 00:53:08 GMT Done right, the smarter grid should save consumers money in the long run by reducing the need for new power plants, which we pay off in our monthly electric bills. USA Today Science and Space News Reuters Science and Space News Reuters Science and Space News Associated Press Science and Space News Data from Columbia disk drives survived the shuttle accident Sat, 10 May 2008 05:03:47 GMT Jon Edwards often manages what appears impossible. He has recovered precious data from computers wrecked in floods and fires and dumped in lakes. Now Edwards may have set a new standard: He found information on a melted disk drive that fell from the sky when space shuttle Columbia disintegrated in 2003.... Artificial reef near Miami is cemetery, diving attraction Sat, 10 May 2008 10:06:21 GMT MIAMI (AP) -- About 45 feet beneath the ocean's surface lies a cemetery with gates, pathways, plaques and even benches.... A crash course in true political science Fri, 09 May 2008 22:11:28 GMT WASHINGTON (AP) -- Daniel Suson has a doctorate in astrophysics and has worked on the superconducting super collider and a forthcoming NASA probe. Now he's heading back to school to take on an even trickier task - getting elected to public office.... New idea in mortuary science: Dissolving bodies with lye Fri, 09 May 2008 21:41:58 GMT CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- Since they first walked the planet, humans have either buried or burned their dead. Now a new option is generating interest - dissolving bodies in lye and flushing the brownish, syrupy residue down the drain.... Seaweed provides clues to earliest inhabitants of Americas Fri, 09 May 2008 21:41:59 GMT WASHINGTON (AP) -- Remains of meals that included seaweed are helping confirm the date of a settlement in southern Chile that may offer the earliest evidence of humans in the Americas.... Oldest gorilla in captivity turns 55 at Dallas Zoo Fri, 09 May 2008 11:34:49 GMT DALLAS (AP) -- A gorilla recognized as the world's oldest in captivity celebrated her 55th birthday by munching down a four-layer frozen fruit cake and banana leaf wrapped treats.... Conservationists, developer reach major Calif. land deal Fri, 09 May 2008 03:38:23 GMT LEBEC, Calif. (AP) -- A group of environmentalists and the owners of a large stretch of wilderness have reached a deal that would set aside the largest parcel of land for conservation in California history.... Spain claims $500 million in sunken treasure Fri, 09 May 2008 02:55:19 GMT MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Spain formally laid claim Thursday to a shipwreck that yielded a $500 million treasure, saying it has proof the vessel was Spanish.... Western states rebuff plan for Italian nuclear waste in Utah Fri, 09 May 2008 06:22:06 GMT BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Eight Western states on Thursday rejected a company's plan to ship tons of radioactive waste from Italy for disposal in Utah, saying importing foreign loads would violate the group's rules.... Scientists map the genetic makeup of the platypus Thu, 08 May 2008 22:34:10 GMT SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- With a bill like a duck, a tail like a beaver and snake-like venom hidden in heel spurs, the platypus could be the result of some strange genetic experiment.... Associated Press Science and Space News