On the Subject of Science

Many of us cast votes based on religion, economics, war, peace, international relations and many other factors. But I bet very few pay attention to candidates' knowledge and application of science. Some presidential administrations have been friendly to scientists and researchers, other not so much.

To find out more about this year's slate, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia is inviting the top four presidential candidates (Clinton, Obama, McCain and Huckabee) to a science debate slated to take place in April. So far, none of the contenders have accepted.

I hope they all do; science is a big deal. From stem cells to forensics to space tourism and more, the present and the future will be shaped by the state of our scientific knowledge. Knowing how the candidates stand on the issue of government science (entities such as CDC, NOAA, NSF and others) is vitally important.

There's more from MSNBC science blogger Alan Boyle here.

Columbus Sails a New Ocean

After two months of delays, the space shuttle Atlantis lifted off Thursday on a mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis is carrying a $2 billion science lab called Columbus. The module will be joined to the ISS to increase working space and broaden the scope of science experiments carried out by the ISS crews.

From MSNBC: Test your shuttle knowledge.

Valentine's Day is next Thursday. Of course, there is no science to relationships. But by gum, there can be science in relationships: here's a list of Valentine's Day chemistry experiments for those science wonks in love.

Mercury, Milestones and the Music in Your Head

Yesterday, January 31, marked the 50th anniversary of America's first satellite, Explorer 1. The four-foot long tube-shaped satellite was built at Huntsville's Redstone Arsenal. Find out more about Explorer 1 from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

NPR science correspondent Robert Krulwich filed one of his delightfully inventive pieces for Morning Edition on Tuesday, this one about a woman whose brain hallucinated sounds. Listen to her tale and see what it tells us about the amazing human brain at NPR.org.

NASA's MESSENGER space probe flew past Mercury on January 14, beaming back some impressive images of the closest planet to the Sun. What those first images show us is already helping to rewrite the history (and present understanding) of the planet and its space environment. Get more at Science@NASA.

(Not) Life on Mars

Not too long ago, the Spirit Mars rover beamed back to Earth an interesting image. From the robot's perspective, it looked an awful lot like a humanoid statue, which of course got the crackpots (the same ones who ramble on about the "face on Mars") claiming that it was proof of intelligent life on Mars.

Well, good ol' science has solved the mystery. Much like the heralded Cydonia face, the "statue" was nothing more than a rock eroded by the wind into something that looks vaguely human. It's an interesting example of equating "intelligent" life with human life. One of the simplest tests you can do is ask yourself, "If this were really a statue on Mars, why the hell would it look like one of us?" Lesson learned: don't look for us in space, because you won't find anything past this blue marble.

MSNBC space science blogger Alan Boyle has the story.

I Heart Geology

A geologist, a geochemist and a geophysicist are sitting in their office when someone comes in and asks, "What's 2 + 2?"

The geologist responds, "Oh, around four."

The geochemist says, "Four plus or minus two."

The geophysicist says, "What number do you want?"

Get it? WHAT NUMBER DO YA WANT?! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! I love geology.

Done and Done

Something about stem cells was in the news this week. I kind of tuned in and out. What do you want from me? It was a holiday weekend.

Also, did you know that Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated in October? It's true.

The (Mesozoic) Cow Jumped Over the (Steroid-Soaked) Moon

Hey there, science fans! It was a week with some interesting news about and involving science.

First, to the world of sports: Barry Bonds was indicted on perjury charges this week. The perjury in question was about his use of steroids, so how about a basic refresher: What are steroids? And just what are the effects of steroids on the human body?

The late fall and winter months are the best for stargazers and lunar observers. I'm a Moon man myself, and so I hope you'll join me in getting out the ol' telescope and lunar charts and take advantage of tonight's half-moon. Here's a guide to get you started.

Scientists this week revealed the discovery of a dinosaur whose appetite resembles that of a modern cow--plants, grasses and the like. Its mouth had several rows of teeth, better to chew that stringy cellulose. Learn more from the Los Angeles Times.