[Science] Lake Ellsworth Antarctic drilling project called off

Lake Ellsworth Antarctic drilling project called off
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20850126
An ambitious mission to drill through Antarctic ice to a lake that has been sealed off for thousands of years has been cut short. The British expedition was attempting to reach Lake Ellsworth, which lies over 3km (1.8 miles) below the ice, to see if it contained ...

Stranded Whale Succumbs
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20121227_ap_officialendangeredwhalebeachedinnycisdead.html
The finback whale that beached itself in Queens was found dead on Thursday morning, according to the team of marine biologists who rushed to help the stranded animal about 24 hours earlier.

First 'Alien Earth' Will Be Found in 2013, Experts Say
http://www.news.com.au/news/astronomers-predict-that-a-second-earth-will-be-found-in-2013/story-fnejlrpu-1226544582578
The first truly Earth-like alien planet is likely to be spotted next year, an epic discovery that would cause humanity to reassess its place in the universe.

Evidence shows starvation did not cause saber-tooth cat extinction
http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/saber-toothed-cats-did-not-starve-to-death-say-researchers/
In the period just before they went extinct, the American lions and saber-toothed cats that roamed North America in the late Pleistocene were living well off the fat of the land.

The Countdown, Episode 12 â€" Top 5 Space Stories of 2012!
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/the-countdown/2012/12/27/the-countdown-episode-12-top-5-space-stories-of-2012/
2012 is almost over and it's time take a look back at the top space stories of the past year. We'll find out what happened in the weeks and months after the news broke.

NASA & Foursquare team up on new badge for checking in at science centers
http://venturebeat.com/2012/12/27/nasa-foursquare-team-up-on-new-badge-for-checking-in-at-science-centers/
Foursquare users with a love for space and science have a new reward today: a brand-new badge from NASA, the space agency announced today.

Project shows many drivers try to hit turtles
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/college-students-turtle-project-takes-dark-twist-18076298
Clemson University student Nathan Weaver holds a fake turtle he is using to see how many drivers intentionally run over it. His research is trying save the animals in Clemson, S.C.. Posted: Thursday, December 27, 2012 5:09 pm. Project shows many drivers ...

Asteroid In 2040 will Miss Earth, says NASA
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/money/science-and-tech/asteroid-in-2040-will-miss-earth-says-nasa
Only a few days after doomsday predictions failed to pan out, NASA has more good news for the Earth: An asteroid feared to be on a collision course with our planet no longer poses a threat.

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield records Jewel in the Night in space
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/article/1307736--canadian-astronaut-chris-hadfield-records-jewel-in-the-night-in-space
Chris Hadfield made his name by reaching for the stars, but as he recorded a song from the International Space Station it was the “faraway land .

West Antarctica Warming Twice As Fast As Previously Thought, Research Finds ...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/global-warming/Antarctic-ice-sheet-warming-faster-than-thought-Study/articleshow/17743014.cms
New research has revealed that West Antarctica is actually warming nearly two times faster than was previously thought. This finding suggests, therefore, that sea levels may rise much faster than was previously predicted.

USGS shuts down Landsat 5, the longest-operating Earth-observing satellite
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/144210-usgs-shuts-down-landsat-5-the-longest-operating-earth-observing-satellite
Launched back in March of 1984 with the intent of capturing satellite imagery of Earth, Landsat 5 was initially only planned for a three-year mission.

A few encouraging signs for Asia's endangered tigers
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tiger-population-in-india-has-increased-significantly-wildlife-conservation-society/312631-3.html
Make no mistake. Tigers have gone extinct in Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, the islands of Bali and Java in Indonesia and possibly in Korea.

Cleanliness is key for robotic space explorers
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50300430/ns/technology_and_science-space/
The concrete-floored room looks, at first glance, like little more than a garage. There is a red tool chest, its drawers labeled: "Hacksaws.

Sex! Center for Biological Diversity is Distributing Condoms, Attempting to Curb ...
http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/endangered-species-condoms-may-raise-awareness/
Well, they're not REALLY attempting to curb human biological diversity (we think)â€"they're just attempting to draw awareness to "the effects of rapid human population growth on rare plants and animals," according to a press release.