NationStates Jolt Archive

Please post the most interesting/useful/surprising science articles here. Here's one to start off with. It regards a possible eventual space elevator.

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/space_elevator_020327-1.html

lol @ the thread title....

this should be an interesting thread.

http://science.slashdot.org/

Fe2O + AL = lots of fun

hydrogen peroxide + Copper = lots of steam, and lots of fun

Bleach + brake fluid = fun

electricity + Water = hgydrogen + deuterium oxide (useful for making nuclear reactors)

gobstopper + microwave = very painfull

CD + microwave = lightening

cocktail stick set on fire + microwave = plasma

and more fun with lasers

and shooting tv's (http://science.howstuffworks.com/video.htm?v=shootout)

Fe2O + AL = lots of fun

hydrogen peroxide + Copper = lots of steam, and lots of fun

Bleach + brake fluid = fun

electricity + Water = hgydrogen + deuterium oxide (useful for making nuclear reactors)

gobstopper + microwave = very painfull

CD + microwave = lightening

cocktail stick set on fire + microwave = plasma

and more fun with lasers

and shooting tv's (http://science.howstuffworks.com/video.htm?v=shootout)
Some of those seem a little dangerous :D. I was shocked that a combustiong cocktail stick in a microhave could create plasma. I would have thought that the heat would cause the microwave to stop functioning before plasma is created.

I like how theforum's name leaves the possiblity of miniskirts :p

no brain cancer link to cell phones
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9131704/

The Biotech section of the Sept. SciAm has an article regarding myoblastic/myosatellite cell growth to grow the meat of a creature without growing the creature itself ... of course, chicken cells to be used.
This means making the chicken sandwiches without the brutality!
For interested folk, look up Medical University of S. Carolina, Vladimir Mironov ...
Jason Matheny of U. of Maryland ....
May issue Tissue Engineering

Actually there's little to get from SciAm that ISN'T interesting, to me.

Please post the most interesting/useful/surprising science articles here. Here's one to start off with. It regards a possible eventual space elevator.

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/space_elevator_020327-1.html

They are saying we might be able to start construction on a space elevator as soon as 2008. Pretty freaking cool, if you ask me.

They are saying we might be able to start construction on a space elevator as soon as 2008. Pretty freaking cool, if you ask me.

not if someone farts inside :D

not if someone farts inside :D

...not to mention the music..THE MUSIC!!! Aaaaaaaaa!

...not to mention the music..THE MUSIC!!! Aaaaaaaaa!
Thank <insert your diety gere> for iPods.

Thank <insert your diety gere> for iPods.

Richard Gere is your diety too? Neat!

Richard Gere is your diety too? Neat!
:D Is it sad that I fell out of my chair laughing at that?

:D Is it sad that I fell out of my chair laughing at that?

Nope. The words "insert" and "Gere" used together are intrinsically funny.

Here's a list of common children's misconceptions about science.

http://www.amasci.com/miscon/opphys.html

This (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/program.html) was a pretty cool program about string theory. If you read the book "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene, this is a miniseries based on that book.

A single carbon nanotuble is strong enough to build a space elevator cable, the trouble is that we can get them to link together effectively. However, in Germany they've apparently just made a substance that is harder than diamond. It doesn't sound strong enough to make a space elevator from it, but obviously people are getting closer to making something strong enough.

It's tatooine!
http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn7667--star-wars-world-found-in-triple-star-system.html

Really big solid planet.
http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn7618

Extrasolar carbon and oxygen found. The likelyhood of extraterrestrial life jumps another few decimal places.
http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn4634

Apparently, size does matter:

http://www.sltrib.com/nationworld/ci_2985115

Masturbation prevents prostate cancer:

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3942

Best use of science ever.

Can't get weapons grade Uranium or Plutonium? Fear not. Americium, found in smoke detectors will work too. Just break open three to five hundred thousand smoke detectors, scrape together the few micrograms of Americium in each, and assemble two barely sub critical lumps of the substance. Then use high explosives to smash them together quickly. Voila! Your own personal Hiroshima.

Can't get weapons grade Uranium or Plutonium? Fear not. Americium, found in smoke detectors will work too. Just break open three to five hundred thousand smoke detectors, scrape together the few micrograms of Americium in each, and assemble two barely sub critical lumps of the substance. Then use high explosives to smash them together quickly. Voila! Your own personal Hiroshima.

*SHHHH* You'll spoil my plans ;)

http://science.howstuffworks.com/ffw.htm

This is quit interesting. Reminds me of Halo(tm).....

They are saying we might be able to start construction on a space elevator as soon as 2008. Pretty freaking cool, if you ask me.

Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?

Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?Why? Why?

A space elevator will allow objects to reach orbit much much much more economically, and will also allow for a greater cargo-capacity. This could allow us to mine asteroids, launch sattelites much more economically, and create offworld colonies. It will advance pure science, which always has benefits that would have been totally unknown without the trial and error of actually doing something that pushed our frontiers.

Now answer me this...if you find such futuristic ideas to be so questionable (28 to be exact,) why the heck did you even click on this thread?

This (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/program.html) was a pretty cool program about string theory. If you read the book "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene, this is a miniseries based on that book.
NOVA i think showed it or at least PBS did. It's dumbed down a bit for the TV, surprise.
So what about the sequel, Fabric of the Cosmos? Worth it, IYO?

NOVA i think showed it or at least PBS did. It's dumbed down a bit for the TV, surprise.
So what about the sequel, Fabric of the Cosmos? Worth it, IYO?

What's next, the Universal Loom? The Yarn of Existance?

What's next, the Universal Loom? The Yarn of Existance?
Nyuk, nyuk. ;)
Jacquard's Loom - already covered.
Yarn of Existence? Hmmm, don't think Greene's doing that .... god bless Google!

A space elevator will allow objects to reach orbit much much much more economically, and will also allow for a greater cargo-capacity. ZThis could allow us to mine asteroids and create offworld colonies. It will advance pure science, hich always has benefits that would have been totally unknown without the trial and eroor of actually doing something that pushed our frontiers.

Now answer me this...if you find such futuristic ideas to be so questionable (28 to be exact,) why the heck did you even click on this thread?

Well pardon me. I wasn't sure what it was going to be used for. I think using it to build a colony in orbit would be great! But to use it to mine asteroids. Were would we put it? There aren't any asteroids within a reasonable distance to Earth (though i guess building it off of Earth isn't what you had in mind). I was imagining it as a very tall elevator(regular ones), which would be un-cost-effective. Sorry for the mix up.

Well pardon me. I wasn't sure what it was going to be used for. I think using it to build a colony in orbit would be great! But to use it to mine asteroids. Were would we put it? There aren't any asteroids within a reasonable distance to Earth (though i guess building it off of Earth isn't what you had in mind). I was imagining it as a very tall elevator(regular ones), which would be un-cost-effective. Sorry for the mix up.

Ah, that's why the article was included for your perusal, lol

Of course the only problem with a space elevator on Earth is if some loony manages to destabilize the tether weight on the other end. You'd get a massive whip coming down on Earth. But given the mass you have to overcome, you'd need to have something on par with a nuclear weapon or a 2km diameter asteroid.

Could someone explain, in detail, the way a space elevator/skyhook works, and how the devil you manage to increase the potential energy of an object without decreasing the kinetic energy of the top of the elevator?

EDIT: Nevermind, I figured it out by my self.

anyone that frequents talkorigins probably has read this. it has been updated though.

29+ evidences for macroevolution
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/

Let's not forget Tesla

http://www.answers.com/topic/tesla-coil

Some new proof/info about the Big Bang

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050902065550.htm

Also, researches may be getting closer to high-temperature superconductors. This would probably revolutionize...a whole heck of a lot.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/08/050826074234.htm

And finally, progress is being made in fusion research.

http://physicsweb.org/articles/news/9/9/2/1

...behold! Aerosol skin (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4208746.stm)!

...behold! Aerosol skin (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4208746.stm)!

Much cooler than my original mental image: Pork rinds emerging from an aerosol can.

Of course the only problem with a space elevator on Earth is if some loony manages to destabilize the tether weight on the other end. You'd get a massive whip coming down on Earth. But given the mass you have to overcome, you'd need to have something on par with a nuclear weapon or a 2km diameter asteroid.
Now that would be cool to see...not so cool to be affected by, but cool to see. Can just imagine N. Korea getting their nuclear program up to speed, thinking 'Right, who shall we hit first? Bingo!' :D

Let's combine the two!

http://jamie.omweb.org/modules/xoopsgallery/cache/albums/album14/girl_science.highlight.jpg

This is so hot.

Much cooler than my original mental image: Pork rinds emerging from an aerosol can.

...sadly the aersol format only suits homogeneous substances. Aerosol pork may be trickier to manufacture ;)

Quantum Dots and Artificial Atoms are pretty cool. Check it out.

http://vortex.tn.tudelft.nl/grkouwen/qdotsite.html

Plus its research that I'm aiding in.

Maybe they could use this for the skyhook?

http://www.betterhumans.com/News/4548/Default.aspx

Thought this also merited notice/posting ....

Embryonic stem cells may mutate over time, study finds
By Rick Weiss, Washington Post | September 5, 2005


WASHINGTON -- Human embryonic stem cells, sought by researchers because of a potential to help rejuvenate ailing organs, do not remain as ageless and unblemished as scientists once thought, according to a research report. Like ordinary cells, stem cells accumulate mutations over time, including several that could cause them to become tumors.
The findings, reported yesterday by an international team of scientists, could bolster the positions of those who have been calling upon President Bush to allow the use of federal money to create fresh stem cell colonies.
Embryonic stem cells, obtained from human embryos only days old, can be integrated into all kinds of tissues. They divide repeatedly in laboratory dishes, churning out self-replenishing colonies indefinitely. That trait has lent them a reputation as possible fountains of youth.
Researchers hope to harvest batches of the cells periodically from master colonies, and to turn them into various kinds of tissues for transplantation into patients. But the longer stem cells are cultivated -- and the more cell divisions they undergo -- the more mutations build up in their genes, Aravinda Chakravarti of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and his colleagues reported in yesterday's issue of the journal Nature Genetics.
The team measured the number of mutations and other DNA abnormalities in nine colonies of cells that had been approved for use by federally funded researchers. The researchers compared the extent of the abnormalities before and after each lineage was subjected to a dozen or more rounds of cell division.
Previous efforts had found little evidence of changes, leading some scientists to conclude the cells were largely protected from the ravages of everyday genetic wear and tear.
But using ''gene chips" that can identify subtle molecular changes in thousands of genes simultaneously, the team found that several colonies harbored increasing numbers of mutant cells over time.
Some of the mutations are known to play a role in transforming normal cells into rapidly dividing cancer cells. With that growth advantage, such cells can quickly outnumber others. Transplanting such cells into a patient could cause more medical problems than they might solve, scientists said.
Chakravarti warned that the work must be confirmed by additional experiments. ''But if it turns out these cells really do become unstable over time," Chakravarti said, ''then that would put limits on the practical life spans of the cells and their usefulness for therapeutic purposes."
It is not known whether embryonic stem cells accumulate mutations to a greater or lesser extent than other cells in laboratory cultures.
Chakravarti and others said they suspect that adult stem cells, touted by some as a more ethical alternative to embryonic cells, whose retrieval requires the destruction of human embryos, probably share the problem. No studies have been done.
Scientists also emphasized that the new study says nothing about which of the various lines analyzed are superior to others, because each was grown under different conditions. A comparison of embryonic stem cell lines is underway at the National Institutes of Health.
But the work does suggest that it might be necessary to test stem cells before using them in treatments, scientists said.
Research to better understand the genetic stability of stem cells would be helped, several scientists added, by loosening Bush's restrictions on the use of federal funds for such studies.
The House has passed a bill that would do so; the Senate is scheduled to consider the issue this fall.