Today Marks 3000 Days on Mars For the Genius ’Curiosity Rover‘ –See Celebration Photos From the Red Planet

Tuesday was the 3,000th day, or “Sol,” during which NASA’s Curiosity Rover has been trundling about on the surface of the Red Planet. The images the rover has beamed back have colored in the dreams of thousands of Star Wars, Star Trek, and John Carter fans, and our understanding of what the closest, potentially habitable […]

The post Today Marks 3000 Days on Mars For the Genius ’Curiosity Rover‘ –See Celebration Photos From the Red Planet appeared first on Good News Network.

This tree snake climbs with a lasso-like motion

Researchers have discovered that invasive brown tree snakes living on Guam can get around in a way that had never been seen before. The discovery of the snake’s lasso-like locomotion for climbing their way up smooth vertical cylinders has important implications, both for understanding the snakes and for conservation practices aimed at protecting birds from them.

Planetary trio – Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury – low in west at dusk

For the first time since October 2015, sky watchers will have the chance to view a planetary trio, or 3 planets all bunched up together on the sky’s dome. Two are Jupiter and Saturn, fresh from their much-viewed December conjunction. The 3rd planet is elusive Mercury.

Plastic is blowing in the wind

The discovery of microplastics in the air above the ocean reveals the spread of this hazardous pollution.

Preparing Gorillas for Reintroduction

When baby gorillas are rescued from poaching, they often need to relearn wild gorilla skills. They may have been in captivity or in poor circumstances for extended periods. GRACE specializes in helping rescued gorillas learn the skills they need to…

Preparing Gorillas for Reintroduction

When baby gorillas are rescued from poaching, they often need to relearn wild gorilla skills. They may have been in captivity or in poor circumstances for extended periods. GRACE specializes in helping rescued gorillas learn the skills they need to…

Preparing Gorillas for Reintroduction

When baby gorillas are rescued from poaching, they often need to relearn wild gorilla skills. They may have been in captivity or in poor circumstances for extended periods. GRACE specializes in helping rescued gorillas learn the skills they need to…

Vitamin boosts essential synthetic chemistry

Inspired by light-sensing bacteria that thrive near hot oceanic vents, synthetic chemists use vitamin B12 to catalyze valuable hydrocarbons known as olefins, or alkenes. The mild process eliminates harsh chemicals typically needed to make precursor molecules for the manufacture of drugs and agrochemicals.

Social bacteria build shelters using the physics of fingerprints

When starvation threatens, forest-dwelling Myxococcus xanthus bacteria work collectively to form fruiting bodies, spongy mushroom-like growths that promote survival. Princeton researchers have identified how these bacteria harness the same physical laws that lead to the whorls of a fingerprint to build the structures layer by layer.

There are microplastics near the top of Mount Everest too

Researchers analyzing snow and stream samples have found evidence of microplastic pollution on Mount Everest. While the highest concentrations of microplastics were around Base Camp where hikers and trekkers spend the most time, the team also found microplastics as high up as 8,440 meters above sea level, just below the summit.