The question is almost Shakespearian: We would hate to give up fracking, since it’s making us energy independent. But if this process of injecting water into shale in order to extract natural gas is setting off earthquakes, we have to face this fact. For instance, fracking has been linked to a 5.7 earthquake in 2011 in Oklahoma.
In fracking, water, sand and chemicals are injected into the ground in order to extract trapped natural gas.
read more
Flowers’ methods of communicating are at least as sophisticated as any devised by an advertising agency, but for any advertisement to be successful, it has to reach, and be perceived by, its target audience. Pollinators such as bumblebees are able to find and distinguish electric signals given out by flowers.
Flowers often produce bright colors, patterns and enticing fragrances to attract their pollinators. Researchers found that flowers also have their equivalent of a neon sign–patterns of electrical signals that can communicate information to the insect pollinator. These electrical signals can work in concert with the flower’s other attractive signals and enhance floral advertising power.
read more
Take a breathalyzer test to find out why you’re fat–Take a spit test to find out why you’re violent.
A new study indicates that a simple saliva test could be an effective tool in predicting violent behavior such as bullying, since there’s a link between salivary concentrations of certain hormones and aggression. And new evidence demonstrates a link between video games and youth violence and delinquency.
read more
It may kick up enough red dust to set back planned missions to Mars by several years.
On the Space.com website, Mike Wall reports that a newfound comet will give Mars a close shave next year, and there’s a slim chance that it could actually hit the Red Planet.
According to NASA, Comet 2013 A1 (Siding Spring) will come within about 31,000 miles of Mars in October 2014–However, the trajectory of the comet is still not known well enough to rule out a dramatic comet collision with Mars, though that could change.
read more