“An international team of researchers has found direct evidence of pear-shaped nuclei in atoms. It might not seem like much, but it could be big news, as the discovery that some atoms’ nuclei can be lopsided not only contributes to the canon of science, but also challenges the Standard Model of particle physics.

The findings could advance the search for a new fundamental force in nature that could explain why there is more matter than antimatter…”Our findings contradict some nuclear theories and will help refine others….”" Full Slice

“…using data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft…[undergraduate] and other scientists showed that the north and south poles have their own SKR “days” that vary over periods of weeks and years. How these different periods arise and are driven through the magnetosphere has become a central question of the Cassini mission…[undergraduate] found that during winter in the northern hemisphere, the occurrence of flux tubes correlates with SKR period originating in the northern hemisphere. A similar flux tube and SKR correlation was noted for the southern hemisphere during southern winter. The events are strongly ordered, he says, and follow Saturn’s seasonal changes.

This finding may alter how scientists look at the Earth’s magnetosphere and the Van Allen radiation belts that affect a variety of activities at Earth…” Full Slice

This photo (copyright 2013 The Seattle Times) sure inspires confidence in the management of our nuclear reactors (although I think this one is shutdown):

“The greatest battle in Earth’s history has been going on for hundreds of millions of years, isn’t over yet, and until now no one knew it existed…In one corner is SAR11, a bacterium that’s the most abundant organism in the oceans, survives where most other cells would die and plays a major role in the planet’s carbon cycle…In the other corner…are “Pelagiphages,” viruses now known to infect SAR11 and routinely kill millions of these cells every second…” Full Slice

“…”What we are learning with IBEX is that the interaction between the sun’s magnetic fields and the galactic magnetic field is much more complicated than we previously thought…By modifying an earlier model, this paper provides the best explanation so far for the ribbon IBEX is seeing.”…” Full Slice

Panorama picture from Mars Curiosity Sol 153.  First really interesting view (evidence of liquid flow, odd dug out areas and some conglomerate rock) from Curiosity in a while. For entertainment purposes only.

For entertainment purposes only:

“Berkeley researches are also working hard to maintain control over a rapidly changing global climate.”
Just how much control do they have now?  Berkeley Science Review Aholes
BTW BSR, why be dicks about fair use copying of your “from the editor” text?  Oh yeah, Scientist Tyrants…

“…The bacterium is one hundred times thinner than a hair and the whole bacterium functions as an electric cable with a number of insulated wires within it. Quite similar to the electric cables we know from our daily lives.

“Such unique insulated biological wires seem simple but with incredible complexity at nanoscale,”…” Full Slice

Definite Baloney:

Very odd rock here. Hopefully Curiosity will get close to it.

Primarily for being alive and well 65 years after breaking the sound barrier.  Full Slice

Awesome jump. How Felix Baumgartner dealt with the tumbling at the beginning to land standing up is beyond my understanding.

Highest, fastest, but not longest freefall (longest still to Joe Kittinger, in 1961, who was at this jump’s mission control). Also a new record for highest balloon flight.

“…It is unclear what might have caused this shift in the Gulf Stream path. It occurred shortly after Hurricanes Irene and Katia drenched the east coast with rain, and this might have impacted the Gulf Stream separation from the continental shelf near Cape Hatteras. Another possibility is that a cold core ring, an eddy south of the Gulf Stream core, might have deflected the Gulf Stream. Further research will be necessary to determine exactly how and why this occurred, which will be helpful in the long term in predicting Gulf Stream motions….” Full Slice

An optical Illusion, I’m sure

Follow up: May be a part of the rover.