Earth & Sky - bizarre

Astronomers find lightest ‘failed stars’ yet

2008-08-10T08:00:00Z

Astronomer Michael Liu talks about the most lightweight stellar objects found outside our solar system. It’s a pair of brown dwarfs – sometimes called ‘failed stars’ because they lack enough mass to sustain the nuclear reactions that let stars like our sun light up.

Parasite disguises ant as berry

2008-07-19T08:00:00Z

Scientists have discovered a type of tiny nematode parasite that disguises an ant as a fruit. These nematodes have managed to trick birds into eating their hosts, said tropical insect ecologist Steve Yanoviak.

Experts gather to discuss global catastrophic risks

2008-07-03T08:00:00Z

Humans have experienced global catastrophes in the past, says Nick Bostrom, director of Oxford’s Future of Humanity Institute. But modern technology has brought new potential risks.

Nick Bostrom on the end of the world

2008-07-03T07:00:00Z

In this Clear Voices for Science podcast, Oxford’s Nick Bostrom talks about potential scenarios that could severely threaten – or end – the human species.

Stable microbubbles may aid manufacturing

2008-06-22T08:00:00Z

The smaller a bubble is, the easier it is to pop it. But Harvard’s Emilie Dressaire used a store-bought kitchen mixer to make tiny bubbles that won’t won’t pop for over a year.