Welcome back to Science Friday! This week, explore interstellar mothballs, debate controversial wolf hunting, detect subglacial lakes with space lasers, track swine flu on your iPhone, and take a look at the first image of a molecule! All this and more plus our gadget of the week: I-Swarm Robots!
Interstellar Mothballs present in deep space
Mothballs in space? It’s true! Researchers recently identified an unusual infrared light, known as the Unidentified Infrared Bands (UIBs), being emitted by interstellar clouds. The UIBs, as it turns out, are a gaseous version of naphthalene, the chief component of mothballs back on Earth. The UIBs have been seen by astronomers for more than 30 years, but no one has ever identified what specific molecules cause these patterns. Scientists were able to create protonated naphthalene (basically, the stuff of mothballs plus one proton) in the laboratory in conditions near absolute zero, then zap it with a laser to turn it into a gas and subsequently measure its infrared spectrum. This spectrum is a near perfect match to what we see in interstellar clouds. Read more at Science Daily.
The Orion Nebula shows off its glowing mothball clouds
Wolf hunting now legal but still controversial
Environmental and animal rights groups are upset by a federal decision this year to remove gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains from the endangered species list, a move that opened the door to the legalization of the hunting of gray wolves for the first time in decades. After their population dwindled in the Rockies last century, in part because of practices like trapping, gray wolves were put on the endangered species list. But the population has rebounded, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the animals and determined that the populations would be healthy enough for hunts to be permitted in Idaho and Montana, which manage the wolf populations. Many proponents of the hunts are sheep farmers who want to protect their livestock, but many feel that the population is not large nor healthy enough to allow hunting.
Canis Lupus, the gray wolf
Space lasers characterize active lakes beneath Antarctica
Lakes in Antarctica, concealed under miles of ice, require scientists to come up with creative ways to identify and analyze these hidden features. Now, researchers using space-based lasers on a NASA satellite have created the most comprehensive inventory of lakes that actively drain or fill under Antarctica’s ice. They have revealed a continental plumbing system that is more dynamic than scientists thought. Unlike most lakes, Antarctic lakes are under pressure from the ice above. That pressure can push melt water from place to place like water in a squeezed balloon. Understanding the sub-ice plumbing of these lakes is important to research goals. Read more at NASA.gov.
Lake Vostok, one of 140 subglacial antarctic lakes
Want to track infectious diseases? There’s an app for that!
A new iPhone application, created by researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab, enables users to track and report outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as H1N1 (swine flu), on the ground in real time. The application, “Outbreaks Near Me,” builds upon the mission and proven capability of HealthMap, an online resource that collects, filters, maps and disseminates information about emerging infectious diseases, and provides a new, contextualized view of a user’s specific location – pinpointing outbreaks that have been reported in the vicinity of the user and offering the opportunity to search for additional outbreak information by location or disease. The application is an example of how modern technology is increasing the wealth of information available to the general public in a user-friendly format. The app is free and encourages more public input and allows for a very thorough data set.
Congratulations, you have anthrax
Gadget of the Week: Tiny I-Swarm Robots
Miniature self-contained robots, the size of a flea, are being created for a variety of applications, such as surveillance, micromanufacturing, medicine, cleaning, and more. In an effort to reach this goal, a recent study has demonstrated the initial tests for fabricating microrobots on a large scale. They move using power from a built in solar cell, while receiving infrared control signals. Three of the tiny legs are used to move the robot, while a fourth is used as a sensor to detect objects and other robots in the swarm.
Just one of the swarm
IBM Takes First Image of Molecule – A Step Towards Quantum Computers
Although specialized microscopes have been able to take pictures of individual atoms since the 70s, but the process did so much damage that it was not until last week that scientists were able to take a look at a molecule. The feat was done by scientists at IBM in Zurich using a modified version of atomic force microscopy (detailed in the video below), with more details at New Scientist. This discovery can lead to smaller and faster processors. According to IBM this research "helps open up exciting new possibilities for exploring electronic building blocks and devices at the ultimate atomic and molecular scale — devices that might be vastly smaller, faster and more energy-efficient than today’s processors and memory devices"
#FollowFriday
If you are on Twitter, you know there are plenty of amazing people out there tweeting away. And, many of them are scientists! Every Friday I’ll be bringing you a new list of great scientists and techies to follow on Twitter. This week…
- @BadAstronomer: Astronomer, author, skeptic, funny guy, writer
- @Discovery: News from Discovery Channel U.S. PR – Katherine, Liz, Josh, Amy, Sarah, Alison + Christine. Press site at press.discovery.com
- @laughingsquid: Laughing Squid, an online resource for art, culture & technology and independent web hosting company
Science Quickies
Not enough science for you? Here’s a warp-speed look at some more science tid-bits that are worth a look.
- "Physics of Star Trek" author Lawrence Krauss wrote a NY Times Op-ed advocating one way tickets to Mars
- Monkeys groove to monkey music
- How close was that lightning to the shuttle?
- NASA’s Orion spacecraft passes significant design milestone
- Also check out a PDF with tons of great images from Orion’s Preliminary Design Review
TrekMovie’s Science Friday is an homage the the great NPR radio show Science Friday. Science Friday® is a registered service mark of ScienceFriday Inc.
Nice nebula shot…
I’m impressed at how far along NASA has already come along with the Orion spacecraft. As great a workhorse as the shuttles have been, their parts and technology have aged significantly. But I hate the way that NASA puts all of their eggs in one basket, and just wish that we could have more than one kind of space transport available at a time. Some other options would be nice.
Thanks for a great report, Kayla!
“Canis Lupis” should be “Canis lupus”.
Cool articles as always, except the one about the wolves returning to the cross-hairs. I know it’s a complex issue but still… I couldn’t pull the trigger on those beautiful animals. I’m not a cattle rancher. I just wish it didn’t have to go that way.
I am not an activest by any stretch. But the Wolf should be protected and not hunted. The wolf is a beautifull animal and hunting it as Spock would say is NOT LOGICLE. Love the Tiny robot. Next will be the nanite and may we all be assimalated! Love the shot of the Nebula. I think the Starship Voyager might have been the closest. Or was that VEGER.
I was thinking of the sequel to this year’s Star Trek (I know, this article has nothing to do with sequel talk but I wanted to throw this out there).
I think for the sequel, instead if introducing Kahn, the next film should be like Batman Begins, but instead be “Kirk Begins”. The last film dealt with how the crew came together and worked as a unit. I think the next film should be about WHY Kirk should be in the Captain’s chair of the Enterprise. Like Batman Begins, the film should be a journey as to how he becomes the most respected captain in Starfleet. Face it, in the new film, he got his butt handed to him several times and he becoming captain (at first) because he emotionally compromised Spock is not exactly the way some saw history unfolding. I think fans need to see why he deserves to be in that chair, specifically, the chair of the Enterprise. We need a true hero’s journey (no, not like Spiderman 2 where he quits, then has a change of conscience) where by the end of the film, he will show that he is a force to be reckoned with (like Bruce Wayne / Batman did in Batman Begins.) Bringing Kahn into the mix so soon would not work. Save it for the third film the way Nolan saved the Joker for a later film. That way, when Kirk is challenged, audiences will feel like Kirk is in over his head, creating great drama like “The dark Knight” did.)
I think the possibilities of a “Kirk Begins” are endless. The ending could even mimic “Batman Begins” with Kirk and crew on the bridge, basking in the glow of their latest victory, when Uhura says to Kirk “Captain, I am receiving a distress beacon from a ship identifying itself as the SS Botany Bay.”
Kirk just smiles, saying “Let’s look into it!” (Or words to that effect, don’t want to copy Batman word-for-word.
AS for Kahn, I know Javier Bardem is a fan favorite, but I think Antonio Banderas would be better. Banderas and Ricardo Montalbán were family in Spy Kids 3, but I feel that Antonio would bring the right mixture of charm and menace to Kahn. The Kahn fans remember the most is from “The Wrath of Kahn”. The Kahn we should meet is from Space Seed (Or Kahn Begins, sorry couldn’t help with that one!). Watching that episode, Kahn was charming, suave and dangerous, qualities that I feel Antonio Banderas has.
Any thoughts? Good idea? Bad idea?
#6) Khan is the past and has been milked before, so it will be spoiled milk if exposed again. And who buys spoiled milk. Maybe we can get the FDA to put an expiration date on Khan so he does not get used again. Not that he would be tossed in the trash, he can still remain in his prise winning frame on the wall as history to remember. But to be busted out of his history frame all you’ll get is the smell of spoiled milk that at best would become cottage cheese. And if it made it’s self into a cheese, I’ll predict it will be Limburger Cheese you know the stuff you have to hold your nose closed to make it eatable.
I’d much rather see Batman from the bridge than Khan. If either makes it, only as a cameo not as a co-star.
#6 How about those Antarctic Lakes? Work them in somehow, maybe?
#0 Now, that my clothes closet smells like mothballs isn’t so bad… I can just say “smells like Orion!” :)
another comment on #6, it is nice to see that my advice on expressing story specifics is being taken care of. I have no idea if you read any of it. But the more story detail expressed here means that the legal guys become lawsuit scared so it will never get used.
But the way you framed it for a movie idea is like saying the story will be in American English, not french. I admit even I have expressed movie sequel idea in semi-detail so they may never get used.
So for all further sequel ideas use this idea expression frame in mind, please so you ideas may be used legally for free in the next movie.
Just remember Moth-balls is Methane in one form, and methane was one of the first forms of molecules detected out there back in 1967 by radio telescopes. And it is in most or many places and not really new. It’s just an old discovery in another form.
Now when they find DNA in helical form, far better odds that there is life out there.
A great man once said, “To hunt a species to extinction is not logical.”
Sadly humanity continues to defy logic; leave wolves alone! If you are raising your flock in their territory, you will suffer some losses, deal with it!
In fact ban all hunting!
There is no need for this barbaric practice anymore.
You humans make me sick.
And I have far better odds of getting news about the NASA Constellation program from here than I do from my brother who works at Lockheed Martian as an electrical engineer designing the command capsule for the Orion spaceship. He is under the secret contracts since he has top secret access.
He still will not talk about experiments with Plasma as protective shields for Atmospheric transgressions on planets with atmospheres.
One thing I’ve learned, they use transgressions instead of re-entry, most likely because it means lift-off and landings in one word.
TO SPOCKISH – I have not read your advice on story specifics. What I wrote is just to get an idea of what the fans think of my idea. I have friends in the industry and it is truly cut throat.
Thanks for the input though.
One more posting (I really do like Kayla’s postings)
Back in the 70’s our next door neighbor had 2 Alaskan Timber Wolfs that very closely resembled that photo. And they would always fight with our Old English sheep dog. And our sheep dog Arlo would bet them every time. He would roll them over and be right at the wolfs neck. And the dogs would run away in fear because they lost in less than a few seconds. Arlo use to chase horses also but when 5 dobermans where sent after him he was smart and went the other way. All he wanted to do was herd the horses. He loved cow bones and sleeping outside as it snowed because that fur coat would protect even in -10 degree weather, but knew -20 was to cold. But that was 80-81 in Denver and he was past 80 in dog years.
#3 – It’s not lupus.
12. Seany-Wan) I have idea for books or stories but writing was never really a talent, thank god for spell correcting because are not family pets spelled Dawg and Kat.
I even laid out a story plot on what it was like being a victim of a DUI driver, dyeing in the OR, being revived back to life, my memory’s of my dreams in my 10 week coma, were I had all but 17 bones broke or cracked. And my recovery and dreams for the future.
I’d love to hear everyone’s reactions to the Lawrence Krauss op-ed piece in the Science Quickies section. Have we become too risk-averse to consider something like that?
Scott B. out.
glad wolves and environmentalist now have something to do with Star Trek
A one-way ticket to Mars makes all kinds of sense. I mean, it’s almost a no-brainer. There would be so many volunteers for such a mission that it would be difficult to choose the best candidates. This should absolutely be serisously considered by NASA, Obama, and Congress.
I do not understand why it is so important to send them back to Earth.
#16 Death by Mars [tm]. It’s an interesting concept, indeed. Not unlike the cyanide pills given to early lunar astronauts purportedly in the event their missions would cause them to be stranded on the Moon, in orbit, or to fail re-entry and “bounce” off into space. Except here, they could work to manage to live out a couple decades at the end of their lives on Mars.
Europeans would probably be the first to do this, as euthanasia’s much farther along in terms of acceptance. (Oregonians, too, eh?)
For childless scientists in their later years, it could be a really attractive option as soon as the 2040’s to live out one’s days on Mars. But I think it will be the Europeans and Chinese before the US….
#17 Wisenheimer, eh? I’ll play. When hasn’t Star Trek been about overpopulation of a species (Mark of Gideon, Trouble with Tribbles, etc.) and societal-environmental damage (STVI:TUC, Let That Be Your Last Battlefield, For The World Is Hollow…, etc.). Ah hah! Perhaps Colonel “Green” was the ultimate CZAR for environmentalist movements in 21st century Earth. He did plan to off half the population after all for eugenic reasons… See, there you go.
#n = {6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15} LOL, WTF? IDIC but OMG! Get a BBS!
And mothballs aren’t methane, they’re naphthalene. Methane’s a gas, a/k/a farts. Stop farting!
#18 You’re right!… we should seriously consider sending Obama and Congress to Mars. ;)
I too do not understand why it would be so important to send them back to Earth. :D
I’m glad to see a lot of people supporting the wolves. That’s always been a very important issue to me. Thanks, as always, for the comments!
Re: One way ticket to Mars.
I think its also important to consider that a one way trip to Mars doesn’t necessarily mean a death sentence for astronauts. I’m reminded of Kim Stanley Robinson’s Red Mars-Green Mars-Blue Mars trilogy where the first colonists were considered permanent.
What a beautiful wolf you have pictured! Is there no alternative to killing? Hey, smart people, start thinking!
I’m not opposed to the hunting of wolves. I just think it should be a fair fight. The hunter puts his teeth and nails up against the Wolf’s teeth and nails and we all live with the outcome.
Regarding the one way ticket to Mars idea I have only to quote that animated Guinness beer commercial:
BRILLIANT!
And if the gov’t doesn’t want to take chances sending people to their doom on Mars, how about getting a Mars X-Prize going after the lunar challenge so the people who want to take that risk can make the choice for themselves?
Or to quote my favorite Captain of my favorite Starship:
“…I must point out that the possibilities, the potential for knowledge and advancement is equally great. Risk… risk is our business! That’s what this Starship is all about… that’s why we’re aboard her!”
Re: #15
“It’s not lupus.”
I’m a zoologist and if you don’t believe me, try wiki or any other reliable source of your choice. ;)
The name is Canis lupus.
@27 Yes, you are right. #15 is making a reference to the television show HOUSE MD.
I love Science Friday and wish I had more time to always read it.