Astronomers have made an announcement about what they are calling one of their most significant discoveries to date in their hunt for other planets – a hot twin to our own Venus. The rocky planet, given the name GJ 1132b is similar in size to our neighbour and orbits a star some 39 light years away. This means it is close enough to be examined by the next generation of telescopes that are currently being developed. These telescopes will be able to tell if the planets have atmosphere, … [Read more...]
New Fossil Teeth Puts Humans in Asia Earlier than Thought
October 15, 2021 By
A new set of fossil finds from China appear to have completely shaken up the story of humankind’s travel around the world from Africa. The scientists working in Daoxian in south China have found human teeth that date back to at least 80,000 years ago, which is some 20,000 years earlier than the widely accepted ‘Out of Africa’ theory about the migration of our species. Evidence Originally, evidence including genetics and archaeology, showed that human beings moved from Africa some 60,000 years … [Read more...]
Oregon Gunman Held 13 Legal Weapons Say Federal Agents
October 3, 2021 By
Federal agents investigating the man who killed nine people in an Oregon college this week said they found 13 weapons in his home. All of the weapons that he owned and used in the shooting had been purchased legally. Chris Harper Mercer carried six guns into the Umpqua Community College in Roseburg while he himself was wearing a flak jacket. He opened fire on those he found and was killed by police after a gun battle. Seven further weapons were discovered when his home was … [Read more...]
NASA Confirms Streaks on Mars Caused by Liquid Water
September 29, 2021 By
Following the big build up over the last few days about a big announcement, NASA has confirmed that it now believes that dark streaks seen on Mars are caused by periodic flows of liquid water. Data from the NASA satellite shows these features on slopes are also associated with salt deposits. These salts could alter the freezing and vaporisation points of water in the thin Martian atmosphere and allowing the water to stay in a fluid state long enough to move. The findings of the report have … [Read more...]
New Human-like Species Found in South African Cave
September 12, 2022 By
Scientists have found the remains of a new human-like species in a cave system in South Africa that may be a burial chamber. There are 15 partial skeletons in the spot, the largest single discovery of this nature on the continent and could, according to those responsible for the find, change our ideas of our ancestors. The studies have been published in the Elife and indicate that these ancestors may have been capable of ritual behaviour. Homo naledi The species has been given the name … [Read more...]
Shooter in Virginia Was a ‘Human Powder Keg’
August 27, 2022 By
The man who killed two journalists while they were live on TV in the US state of Virginia has described himself as a ‘human powder keg’ in a rambling fax sent to ABC News, received just after the attack. Vester Flanagan had been dismissed by the same station, WDBJ7, and the fax claims that he had suffered discrimination and bullying for being black and gay. He was killed after the attack following a police chase. Attack The White House said that the attack showed that there was a need for … [Read more...]
Protests Lead to State of Emergency in Ferguson
August 11, 2022 By
A state of emergency has been put into place in the city of Ferguson following protests to mark the anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, the black teenager shot by police. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has called for the protests to remain peaceful. The city was already tense following the wounding of another teenager in a gun battle by police on Sunday, though Tyrone Harris, 18, was later charged with assaulting the officers. Problems Michael Brown was 18 when he was shot last August … [Read more...]
Colorado Gunman Won’t Face the Death Penalty
August 8, 2022 By
A jury in the state of Colorado has decided to spare gunman James Holmes the death penalty for the killing of twelve people at a cinema in 2012. He will instead serve life in jail without the possibility of parole. Holmes’ defence team had argued that the former neuroscience graduate student, who is now 27, had been insane at the time of the shootings. But the jury agreed with prosecutors that Holmes, while being mentally ill, was still responsible for his actions yet were unable to reach a … [Read more...]
Boost for Renewables under Obama’s New Energy Plan
August 1, 2022 By
Following a twelve month consultation and around 4 million comments from the public, President Obama will finalise his Clean Power Plan early next week. The plan will outline the restrictions on CO2 from electricity that each state will need to implement. Due to the reluctance of some of the states, the starting date of the plan is likely to be delayed by somewhere in the region of two years and that addition support for renewable energy will also be released. Restrictions The plan comes … [Read more...]
