January 2015

Biofuel: Inforgraphic courtesy of Eric Taylor, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Fish Food Turned into Two New Biofuels

January 29, 2015September 4, 2015 Science Connectedalternative energy, biofuel, chemistry, energy, materials engineering

By Kate S. A common algae commercially grown to make fish food could become a future source of biofuel, according to a new study. The research team, led by Greg O’Neil of Western Washington University and Chris Reddy of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, has pioneered a technique that uses a single species of algae called Isochrysis to make both biodiesel and jet fuel. The scientists believe that the ability to produce two types of biofuel from one algae holds some promise for future commercialization. They stress that this is only…

Paleo reconstructions of three Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous snakes. Top left: Portugalophis lignites from Portugal; top right: Diablophis gilmorei from Colorado; bottom center: Parviraptor estesi from England (Artist’s reconstruction by Julius Csotonyi)

Paleontology

Meet these 167 Million Year Old Snakes

January 28, 2015May 3, 2021 Science Connectedfossils, snakes

Snakes are much older than previously thought. Paleontologists have found the oldest snake fossils yet. 167 million years ago, snakes had legs.

An artist's conception of Kepler-444 with a planet passing across it (Tiago Campante/Peter Devine)

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Earth-sized Planets, Ancient Star System Found

January 27, 2015April 7, 2021 Science Connectedastronomy, experiments in space, space

An ancient solar system, dating back to the dawn of the Milky Way Galaxy, has been discovered by an international team of astronomers. Researchers have found five Earth-sized planets in orbit around a Sun-like star called Kepler-444 that, at 11.2 billion years old, is the oldest star with a planetary system ever found. This discovery suggests that ancient worlds are out there, and some of them may support life. Each of Kepler-444’s planets is a little smaller than Earth. “We’ve never seen anything like this – it is such an…

Oldest Primate: Scientists believe Purgatorius looked similar to Dryomomys szalayi, another primitive primate discovered near Yellowstone National Park by Jonathan Bloch. (Illustration courtesy of Doug Boyer)

Biology Paleontology

Oldest Primates Lived in Trees

January 22, 2015April 4, 2021 Science Connectedbiodiversity, biology, evolution, paleontology, primates

By Kate Stone A new study from the University of Florida suggests that humans’ earliest primate ancestor was a tree-dwelling creature. Named Purgatorius, scientists believe it looked like a cross between a squirrel and tree shrew, and weighed less than a deck of playing cards. This ancient animal was previously known only by its teeth. The shape of the teeth allowed paleontologists to determine the Purgatorius — estimated to have weighed about 3.5 ounces — ate insects and plants, but researchers knew little else about its lifestyle. With the discovery of…

Whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea, received new protection that may reduce their risk of being caught in fishing nets. (Dave Witting/NOAA Fisheries)

Marine and Freshwater Biology Zoology

Whale Sharks Get International Protection

January 21, 2015October 8, 2021 Science Connectedsharks

Whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean, have been getting caught in commercial tuna fishing nets. New regulations may protect them.

BYU's VuePod is controlled by a Wii remote that interacts through BlueTooth technology with a SmartTrack device. (Mark A. Philbrick)

Engineering New Technologies

VuePod: Powerful New Virtual Reality System

January 20, 2015September 4, 2015 Science Connectedengineering, new tech

By Kate Stone Since Facebook paid $2 billion to acquire the virtual reality gaming device, Oculus Rift, the 3D industry seems to be booming. Now, Brigham Young University (BYU) has added its own invention to the mix. Principally made for use in engineering, yet powerful enough for gaming, the VuePod is especially exciting because it’s comparatively cheap to build. While the VuePod is certainly not the first immersive visualization system in academia, it might be the most cost effective. Other 3D systems cost as much as $10 million to build…