Science

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NASA Hurricane Researchers Eye Earl's Eye

Hurricane Earl, currently a Category Two storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale with maximum sustained winds of 100 knots (115 miles per hour), continues to push relentlessly toward the U.S. East Coast, and NASA scientists, instruments and spacecraft are busy studying the storm from the air and space. Three NASA aircraft carrying 15 instruments are busy criss-crossing Earl as part of the agency's Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes mission, or GRIP, which continues through Sept. 30.

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Most Data Breaches Avoidable, Verizon Report Finds

An exhaustive data breach report from Verizon, in collaboration with the U.S. Secret Service, finds while data breaches are declining, businesses of all sizes remain at risk, and many breaches could be easily avoided.

Breaches of electronic records last year involved more insider threats, greater use of social engineering and the continued strong involvement of organized criminal groups, according to communication giant Verizon's 2010 Data Breach Investigations Report, in collaboration with the U.S. Secret Service. However, the overall number of breaches investigated last year declined from the previous year—"a promising" indication, the study said.

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NASA's Hibernating Mars Rover May Not Call Home

NASA mission controllers have not heard from the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit since March 22, and the rover is facing its toughest challenge yet -- trying to survive the harsh Martian winter.

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Scientists Set Sail to Map the Arctic Seafloor

American and Canadian scientists are setting sail this summer to map the Arctic seafloor and gather data to help define the outer limits of the continental shelf.

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Portable (and Ultra-Low-Cost) Ventilators Could Save Lives in Rural Areas and During Disasters

MIT students are developing a very-low-cost portable ventilator that could save hundreds of lives during emergencies and in rural areas, where hospitals often lack high-tech medical technologies.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, hospitals were overwhelmed and understaffed. As hallways were flooded with patients, many of whom had life-threatening injuries and illnesses, the lack of proper supplies became apparent.

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NASA satellites produce first map of global forest heights

For the first time, NASA scientists have produced a map of the height of the world's forests by combining data from three satellites.

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Curiosity Rover Grows by Leaps and Bounds

Talk about a growth-spurt. In one week, Curiosity grew by approximately 1 meter (3.5 feet) when spacecraft technicians and engineers attached the rover's neck and head (called the Remote Sensing Mast) to its body. At around 2 meters (about 7 feet) tall, the next rover to Mars now stands head and shoulders above the rest.

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Newfound crater in Egypt could change estimates of impact risk to Earth

A small impact crater discovered in the Egyptian desert could change estimates for impact hazards to our planet, according to a new study.

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Scientists spot largest molecules in space

Scientists in Canada have spotted the largest molecules existing in space called buckyballs.

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Universe's biggest star discovered

The biggest star, with a mass 320 times greater than the sun's, has been discovered at the edge of our galaxy by British astronomers.