[Science] Skies Full of Life: Microbes May Thrive in the High Atmosphere

Skies Full of Life: Microbes May Thrive in the High Atmosphere
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/01/high-atmosphere-microbes/
Each year, hundreds of millions of metric tons of dust, water, and humanmade pollutants make their way into the atmosphere, often traveling between continents on jet streams.

US military to test lasers on warplanes in 2014
http://www.news.com.au/technology/us-fighter-jets-to-get-fricken-lasers/story-e6frfro0-1226564377109
Laser weapons small enough to fit aboard fighter jets could begin ground-based firing tests aimed at shooting down threats to U.S.

Living bacteria discovered in middle and upper troposphere, say researchers
http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/living-bacteria-discovered-in-middle-and-upper-troposphere-say-researchers/
Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered significant numbers of living microorganisms, primarily bacteria, in the middle and upper troposphere (that section of the atmosphere about four to six miles above the Earth's surface) ...

Beijing Chokes on Hazardous Smog as China Puts a Price on Fresh Air
http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/4610/20130129/beijing-chokes-hazardous-smog-china-puts-price.htm
(Photo : Reuters) Hazardous smog covered Beijing again, prompting one man to put a price on fresh air. Pedestrians walk past Chinese lanterns that are part of celebrations for the upcoming lunar new year on a hazy day in Beijing.

Clearing the Air on Climate Change
http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/01/global-energy-use-may-shift-climate-trends/
In response to a commentary I wrote, I received a note the other day from a reader. Among other things they were most concerned about what they believed to have been the dismissal of those who challenge the very notion of climate change.

Gowanus Dolphin Probably Wasn't Killed By Canal's Toxins, Officials Say
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/biologist-dolphin-ny-canal-sickly-18339094
GOWANUS -- The dolphin whose lonely death in the filthy Gowanus Canal broke hearts nationwide probably didn't die from pollution found in the Superfund site, a marine biologist who conducted a necropsy on the animal said.

Watch as a hunter in Florida catches an 11-foot python with his bare hands
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/01/29/everglades-python-challenge-reaches-halfway-point/
Wildlife officials say more than 1,000 people signed up for the "Python Challenge" competition that began Jan. 12 and ends Feb. 10.

Does AXE Super Bowl ad prove space tourism passe before it even happens?
http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/astronaut-outsexys-lifeguard-axes-first-ever-super-bowl-ad-146842
You know space tourism is becoming mainstream (passé, even) when ... you get an ad for men's toiletries, running during the Super Bowl, in which you can win a trip into space.

Civil War submarine may have been destroyed by its own torpedo
http://www.slashgear.com/civil-war-submarine-may-have-been-destroyed-by-its-own-torpedo-29267119/
During the Civil War, the Confederate army fielded a submarine called the H.L. Hunley. After sinking an enemy ship called the USS Housatonic in 1864, the submarine disappeared after signaling a successful mission.

Japan Launches Two Spy Satellites to Keep Watch Over North Korea
http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/japan-launches-2-satellites-as-concerns-of-n-korean-rocket-tests-grow-1.1131446
Japan has launched a new spy satellite amid growing international concern that North Korea may soon conduct another nuclear test, according to reports.

Virgin Galactic to pay rent
http://www.kasa.com/dpps/news/business_1/virgin-galactic-paying-rent-under-protest_5437096
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Strong words coming from Virgin Galactic saying essentially they will pay rent at The Spaceport but they are not happy about it.