Front Section

'Ring of Fire' eclipse visible from China to Texas

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 09:08 AM

Sunrises and sunsets often dazzle, but they'll have a special ring to them in a few days for people in the western United States and eastern Asia: The moon will slide across the sun, blocking everything but a blazing halo of light.

Viewing events, eyewear urged for 'Ring of Fire'

Published: Saturday, May 19, 2012 04:27 PM

The western United States and eastern Asia will be treated this weekend to a rare solar spectacle when the moon slides across the sun, creating a "ring of fire."

SpaceX rocket launch aborted in last half-second

Published: Saturday, May 19, 2012 07:02 PM

A new private supply ship for the International Space Station remained stuck on the ground Saturday after rocket engine trouble led to a last-second abort of the historic flight.

Researcher apologizes for study of gay therapy

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 05:42 PM

A prominent retired psychiatrist is apologizing to the gay community for a decade-old study that concluded some gay people can go straight through what's called reparative therapy.

US forecasters say heat will stay on this summer

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 04:43 PM

And the heat goes on. Forecasters predict toasty temperatures will stretch through the summer in the U.S. And that's a bad sign for wildfires in the West.

Can a Solar Eclipse Really Blind You?

Published: Saturday, May 19, 2012 08:28 AM

People in the western United States, Pacific and parts of Asia will have the chance to see a partial solar eclipse on Sunday (May 20). While it may be tempting to brush off warnings against looking up at this eclipse bare-eyed, don't: The light of an eclipse really can damage your eyes — though warnings of total blindness are likely overstated.

Tyrannosaur Skeleton For Sale, But Ownership Is Questioned

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 07:44 PM

The origin of a rare tyrannosaur skeleton, now sitting mounted and prepared at an auction house in New York City, has been questioned, with some saying the specimen is from Mongolia; if so, that would mean it entered the United States illegally.

Climate-Cooling Trial Balloon Gets Canceled

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 03:41 PM

One of the first trials of geoengineering Earth's climate would have launched a balloon with a hose that could pump two bath loads of water into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight. But disagreements about that small, symbolic step combined with a patent issue to force a cancellation of the British experiment.

How to Safely Observe Sunday's Solar Eclipse

Published: Saturday, May 19, 2012 10:17 AM

With a potentially spectacular solar eclipse to grace the skies of the western United States on Sunday (May 20), here's a helpful reminder for new eclipse chasers: Be safe. A fraction of a second of magnified, unfiltered sunlight will sear your eye’s retina irreparably.

Why Sunday's Solar Eclipse 'Ring of Fire' Will Be Rare Sight

Published: Saturday, May 19, 2012 10:17 AM

When the moon blots out the sun in a solar eclipse on Sunday (May 20), producing a "ring of fire" in the sky, it will cover roughly 94 percent that of the sun and offer a rare view of our nearest star.

Malaysia scientist says found new Borneo frog

Published: Saturday, May 19, 2012 02:19 PM

A Malaysian researcher known for finding new amphibian species said Friday his team had discovered at least one new species of frog in studies he said highlight Borneo's rich biodiversity.

Science Fiction or Fact: Will Tractor Beams Ever Become Reality?

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 12:39 PM

In this weekly series, Life's Little Mysteries rates the plausibility of popular science fiction concepts.

Human Genome adopts rights plan to ward off Glaxo

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 01:49 PM

(Reuters) - Human Genome Sciences Inc said on Thursday it adopted a stockholder rights plan as the biotechnology company defends itself against a $2.6 billion (1.6 billion pounds) hostile takeover bid by drug maker GlaxoSmithKline Plc . Human Genome said its board determined the $13-a-share bid by the British drug maker was inadequate and undervalued the company and it recommended stockholders not tender their shares. Glaxo, however, said it plans to proceed with its tender offer and restated its preference to complete the acquisition on a friendly basis. ...

Space Spiders and Wine: Weird Science Launching on Private Space Capsule

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 10:13 AM

The first private spacecraft ever to launch toward the International Space Station will be carrying a host of student science experiments when it blasts off Saturday (May 19), including projects looking at spiders in space and how microgravity affects wine.

Human Genome adopts rights plan to ward off Glaxo

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 08:06 AM

(Reuters) - Human Genome Sciences Inc said on Thursday it had adopted a stockholder rights plan as the biotechnology company defends itself against a $2.6 billion hostile takeover bid by drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Plc. Human Genome said its board determined the $13-a-share bid by the British drugmaker was inadequate and undervalued the company, and it recommended stockholders not tender their shares. ...

Human Genome adopts rights plan to ward off Glaxo

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 07:58 AM

(Reuters) - Human Genome Sciences Inc said on Thursday it had adopted a stockholder rights plan as the biotechnology company defends itself against a $2.6 billion (1.6 billion pounds) hostile takeover bid by drug maker GlaxoSmithKline Plc . Human Genome said its board determined the $13-a-share bid by the British drug maker was inadequate and undervalued the company, and it recommended stockholders not tender their shares. ...

Do Tarantulas Shoot Spidey Silk? Scientists Debate

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10:50 PM

Tarantulas, like all spiders, extrude silk fromso-called spinnerets on their abdomens, and scientists recently found evidence suggesting the arachnids also shoot silk from their feet, Spider-Man style. Butthese powers were fleeting, it seems, with new research showing tarantulas are not so like the famed superhero, after all.

Scientists lift lid on turtle evolution

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 07:09 PM

The turtle is a closer relative of crocodiles and birds than of lizards and snakes, according to researchers who claim to have solved an age-old riddle in animal evolution.

Science Fiction or Fact: Invisibility Cloaks Will One Day Exist

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 01:08 PM

In this weekly series, Life's Little Mysteries scores the plausibility of popular science fiction concepts.

Scientists to Watch Historic Venus Transit of the Sun from Alaska

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 07:42 AM

A NASA sun-watching spacecraft will have an unbeatable view of June's historic Venus transit, but some of the probe's scientists are taking measures to get a great look for themselves here on Earth, too.