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Monthly Archives: July 2010

Cosmic Log: Space showdown sidetracked

Science editor Alan Boyle’s Weblog: The showdown over America’s space policy will have to wait until September at the earliest, thanks to a decision by House leaders to delay consideration of a controversial NASA authorization bill.

Area on Mars could hold fossilized remains of life

The Nili Fossae region of Mars is one of the largest exposures of clay minerals discovered. In this HiRISE false-color image, dark blue regions are volcanic minerals. Light-toned areas are clay-rich material and may contain water and organic materials — a possible place where life can be supported. A spot on Mars called Nili Fossae that is rich in clay mineral-rich rocks could be a prime spot to search for the fossilized remains of Martian life that may have existed 4 billion years ago, a new study suggests.

Mars rover Spirit may not survive Martian winter

Distances driven by wheeled vehicles on the moon and Mars.NASA’s beleaguered Mars rover Spirit, which has been hibernating on the surface of Mars since March, is facing its toughest challenge yet the harsh conditions of the Martian winter. And the rover may lose.

Software released for attacking Android phones

It took about two weeks to build the malicious software that could allow criminals to steal precious information from Android smartphones, such as Google's Nexus One, a security expert said Friday.Two security experts said on Friday they released a tool for attacking smart phones that use Google’s Android operating system to persuade manufacturers to fix a bug that lets hackers read a victim’s e-mail and text messages.

NASA sets its eye on Venus for missions

This still from a NASA animation of a concept Venus mission shows a probe, one of many, beginning its descent into the Venus atmosphere.After more than 20 years of neglect, the planet Venus is once more drawing NASA’s eye for ambitious new missions.

Monkeys go bananas over flying squirrels

Researchers have observed small monkeys called Japanese macaques going bananas at the sight of a flying squirrel.

Tiny footprints are oldest evidence of reptiles

The fossil footprints showed five slender toes, suggesting an ancient reptile made the tracks, since amphibians sport four stubby toes on each "hand." A tiny reptile scampering along an Outback-like environment snagging insects some 318 million years ago left behind footprints that are now the oldest evidence of reptiles to date.

Call to check on mobile security

Call to check on mobile security
   

Owners of mobile phones are being asked to test the security of their network to see if enough is being done to stop eavesdropping.
   

http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/technology-10731612
   

UK troops use iPad app for fire mission training

UK troops use iPad app for fire mission training
   

Newsbeat's had an exclusive look at new training being given to UK soldiers at the Royal School of Artillery in Wiltshire.
   

http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/newsbeat/10813964
   

Chip sales boost Samsung profits

Chip sales boost Samsung profits
   

Samsung Electronics reports record quarterly profits thanks to higher sales of smartphones and components such as memory chips.
   

http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-10813772