On:

New research has found that gifted black students often underachieve in school because of the stress on them to “act black,” which may be one reason for the achievement gap between black and white students in US schools.

Researcher Donna Ford says, “Part of the achievement gap, particularly for gifted black students, is due to the poor image these students have of themselves as learners.” She set out to discover how their social attitudes may be affecting their achievement, with regard to what?s known as “acting black” and “acting white.”
read more

On:

Sunspots are returning, just as predicted. But they’re not acting as they were expected to. Is this a good thing for global warming?On January 24, a reverse polarity sunspot appeared in the sun’s northern hemisphere. Such a sunspot usually marks the beginning of a new solar max. But the new spot was followed by a period of solar silence?no sunspots until last week. But these aren’t spots of the type that should be associated with the new solar cycle. Instead, they’re of the type associated with cycle 23, the last one. So, what’s going on?
read more

On:

On Dreamland, science reporter Linda Howe has presented numerous reports about the strange UFO sightings in Stephenville, Texas. Now KiiiTV reports that a UFO similar to the one seen there has been spotted in the skies of another Texas city: Corpus Christi.

KiiiTV quotes a soldier who doesn’t want to be identified as saying, “It got to the point to where it got a little closer and that’s when I got a little bit more nervous.” He managed to take a photo of it with his cell phone.

Art credit: freeimages.co.uk

Not everyone thinks of UFOs as serious science?but WE do! Please show us that you appreciate what we do: subscribe today. (And please click on the new “donate” tab on our homepage too!)

read more

On:

Fuel that causes the most pollution is being used in the poorest parts of the world?leading to global warming, which affects these areas the MOST. The burning of “biomass” fuels for, which are defined as burning organic substances such as peat, wood or cow dung, for heating and cooking, has a warming effect in the atmosphere three to four times greater than conventional fuels.

This type of particulate pollution also comes from burning diesel fuel, which is simpler (and therefore cheaper) to refine from petroleum, which is why it’s used in countries like Mexico. Besides causing climate change, burning these fuels spews out large amount of particulate air pollution, which is especially dangerous for people’s health.
read more