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Science

  • Researchers mine tweets to see what makes us tick
    Today, 200 million people around the world will in post a tweet or two – or 20.  By day’s end, the total number of pithy bursts of commentary will approach a half-billion.
  • Tiniest human ancestor found
    New fossil evidence of the earliest complete skeleton of an ancient primate suggests it was a hyperactive, wide-eyed creature so small you could hold a couple of them in your hand – if only they would stay still long enough.
  • Bioengineers invent light-controlled gel
    Modeled after the way plant cells expand and shrink in the sun, bioengineers at the University of California have created a new gel that can be manipulated by light, the Associated Press has reported.
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As promised, asteroid flies past Earth

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The world is safe – at least from one asteroid.

A 150-foot cosmic rock hurtled safely past Earth on Friday.

It was the closest known flyby for a rock of its size, passing within 17,000 miles. That’s closer than some satellites.

The flyby occurred just hours after a much smaller meteor exploded above Russia’s Ural Mountains.

Astronomers say the two events were coincidental, and the objects were traveling in opposite directions. At least one scientist called it an exciting day and “like a shooting gallery here.”

The asteroid was invisible to astronomers in the United States at the time of its closest approach on the opposite of the world. But in Australia, astronomers used binoculars and telescopes to watch the point of light speed across the clear night sky.

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