CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-22 04:23:30 (2 comments, 7 reshares, 23 +1s)

Why can't penguins fly?

Sure, penguins can have happy feet. But why don't they have happy wings?

It turns out that birds can be good at flying, or good at swimming, but they probably can't be good at both.

Researchers recently looked at birds like the cormorant and the murre that are okay at diving and at swimming, but not great at both. It  turns out they expend more energy than the average bird when they fly - and a lot more energy than a penguin when they dive. So the researchers believe that penguins are uniquely adapted to fast swimming using minimal energy - and that means they'll never be good at flying.

Read more at Nature: http://goo.gl/ZLgL3

(Image: Stan Shebs http://goo.gl/iiKHf from Wikipedia http://goo.gl/zI2eQ)

2013-05-22 04:04:13 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 15 +1s)

Come learn about The Science of Startups from +Guy Kawasaki.

http://goo.gl/NWOFs

Her's an investor, a technology "evangelist," and a self-published author. And he can tell you what makes a successful startup company. Post your questions on the event page, then come join us for this Hangout On Air with the legendary Silicon Valley guru.

Wednesday, 22 May, 1:00PM PT / 3:00PM CT / 4:00PM ET / 2000 GMT / 2200 CET

(Image: Guy Kawasaki)

2013-05-21 20:13:44 (33 comments, 87 reshares, 373 +1s)

2013-05-21 17:40:56 (4 comments, 15 reshares, 88 +1s)

Following the death of a family friend from pancreatic cancer, Jack Andraka invented a diagnostic strip to detect the disease in very early stages. Here's the really surprising part: Jack is a high school sophomore. Read more about Jack here: goo.gl/po3QV

2013-05-21 16:03:29 (111 comments, 238 reshares, 998 +1s)

Mammatus (or mammory) clouds describe the cellular pattern of pouches hanging underneath the base of a cloud. These clouds are often associated with severe thunderstorms and are typically composed primarily of ice. 

2013-05-20 22:45:06 (4 comments, 19 reshares, 88 +1s)

Did you miss the NASA/Star Trek Google+ Hangout Thursday? Here's a shortened, 5-minute version: http://youtu.be/n8a6g_ur9go

2013-05-20 21:44:13 (6 comments, 19 reshares, 83 +1s)

Happy birthday +YouTube! Today YouTube turns eight, and now more than 100 HOURS of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute: http://goo.gl/bq9DE. The Gregory Brothers mark the occasion and help kick off the first ever YouTube Comedy Week: 

2013-05-20 21:37:54 (18 comments, 46 reshares, 133 +1s)

The wonderful world of energy! See the complete image here: goo.gl/d6YYK

2013-05-20 19:42:11 (204 comments, 436 reshares, 1178 +1s)

2013-05-20 15:35:10 (14 comments, 40 reshares, 148 +1s)

+MinutePhysics demonstrates the foil method to make your complicated calculations easy to solve! #math  

2013-05-20 01:49:13 (5 comments, 12 reshares, 71 +1s)

Maker Faire 2013 just wrapped up in San Mateo, CA. Check out the highlights here! #makerfaire  

2013-05-19 19:02:03 (64 comments, 130 reshares, 595 +1s)

Lightning crashes...

How does lightning actually work? Is it still a mystery, or are we starting to understand the mechanics of these bolts from the heavens?

Photographer Chris Kotsiopoulos shot this lightning storm on Greece's Ikaria Island, combining dozens of pictures taken over nearly an hour and a half.

Read more at http://goo.gl/X0wLm

(Image: Chris Kotsiopoulos via National Geographic)

2013-05-19 18:31:16 (12 comments, 18 reshares, 171 +1s)

Rejected by its mother, baby meerkat is fed by zookeepers

Because its mother thought the three week-old baby was too weak to survive, a group of 10 zookeepers at Chessington Zoo in the U.K. is trading off feeding duties so the animal doesn't get too attached to any one of them.

Though they look like American prairie dogs, meerkats are actually part of the mongoose family. They live in large families , and typically prefer desert areas in Africa.

Watch the short video here: http://goo.gl/b8yIw

(Image from video: telegraph.co.uk)

2013-05-20 06:35:24 (4 comments, 18 reshares, 69 +1s)

Come hear from GSF 2012 Finalist Sabera Talukder, who has designed an inexpensive way to purify water for developing countries!

When Sabera visited her father’s family in Bangladesh, she found that the drinking water for many people was infected with a range of bacteria and other diseases. "People are dying because there is no low-cost potable solution for clean drinking water.," she wrote. "The top 40 waterborne diseases kill 3.4 million people every year, mostly children."
 
So she designed a water purification system using a jute bag, sand and clay, wire mesh, a germicidal light, and solar panels – all for less than $25. She submitted her project to Google Science Fair, and earned a finalist slot at the 2012 competition. Now a non-profit organization has picked up her idea, and is doing a pilot project!

Come hear from Sabera how she came up withher ... more »

2013-05-19 03:23:09 (94 comments, 302 reshares, 1436 +1s)

2013-05-18 07:30:00 (198 comments, 730 reshares, 2137 +1s)

What's the roundest object in the world?

It turns out that a kilogram isn't exactly a kilogram - and it all has something to do with "Avogadro's constant." Watch the video, and post what you think is the answer in the comments below.

2013-05-17 23:04:38 (10 comments, 49 reshares, 226 +1s)

Crash course in  #chemistry #2. Learn all about the Ideal gas law! 

2013-05-17 19:22:13 (1 comments, 11 reshares, 113 +1s)

[WATCH] SpaceX’s 5.2m satellite fairing is tested in the world’s largest vacuum chamber: http://youtu.be/LtI1V624vWM  
The fairing protects a satellite during launch, and separates when the rocket is traveling over 4x faster than a speeding bullet – nearly 10x the speed of sound.

2013-05-19 05:15:54 (8 comments, 31 reshares, 136 +1s)

Freezer burn happens when the ice sublimates, and changes from a solid to a gas without melting and evaporating. The freezer burn happens from the water in the food itself, so food with freezer burn tastes more dry. 

2013-05-17 17:07:22 (313 comments, 520 reshares, 2215 +1s)

The Waitomo glow caves in New Zealand are filled with glowworms called Arachnocampia luminosa. These glowworms dwell in caves, grottos and deep in forests. The glow you see is a result of a chemical reaction which occurs in excretory organs in the worm's abdomen. 

2013-05-17 06:45:31 (25 comments, 121 reshares, 429 +1s)

What if your dog could call 911?

Call it "iPaws" - apps for dogs that assist the disabled and elderly. Researchers are working on computer technology to allow dogs to summon emergency services if they sense something is wrong.

What other technologies should be available to pets in the home?

http://goo.gl/ZEwVq

2013-05-16 21:47:50 (22 comments, 74 reshares, 164 +1s)

50 facts about Earth! Check out the full sized infographic here: goo.gl/s3PMC

2013-05-16 20:20:58 (10 comments, 112 reshares, 297 +1s)

A tutorial on creating solid nitrogen.

By dropping liquid nitrogen to -210C, you can create a solid form. When poured into a tray of water, the surface fo the water becomes so cold that CO2 solidifies on the surface. 

2013-05-16 17:43:25 (17 comments, 17 reshares, 143 +1s)

What creature has the most sensitive hearing on the planet?

Not humans: You can only hear up to about 20 kilohertz - and when you get older, that drops to only 15 kilohertz. Not dolphins: though their hearing is amazingly sensitive, they can only hear up to  about 160 kilohertz.

The award for the most sensitive hearing goes to the greater wax moth, which can hear up to about 300 kilohertz - about 20 times more sensitive than an adult human.

Why is this moth such a super-listener? It could be that their main predator is the bat, and that natural selection favored moths that can hear at or even above the range of a bat.

Learn more at http://goo.gl/ez0sD

(Image: http://goo.gl/ILcBt)

2013-05-16 22:05:26 (275 comments, 661 reshares, 1730 +1s)

2013-05-16 14:57:02 (0 comments, 5 reshares, 39 +1s)

In just a few minutes... Hangout with CERN and TED-Ed: Dimensions Multiplied

http://goo.gl/HjITd

At +TEDxCERN on May 3, our partners at CERN premiered several animations. In this Hangout On Air, some of the +CERN scientific contributors and +TED-Ed animation contributors will tell us about those animations, and answer your questions. Come Hangout!

http://goo.gl/HjITd

2013-05-16 00:53:40 (9 comments, 25 reshares, 131 +1s)

Tomorrow, the White House is kicking off "We the Geeks," a new series of Google+ Hangouts to highlight the future of science, technology, and innovation here in the U.S.

Our first hangout includes an extraordinary panel of innovators from around the country who will discuss the elements of an "all hands on deck" effort to pursue Grand Challenges.

Tune in tomorrow at 2pm ET: http://at.wh.gov/l4lUD

#hangoutsonair   #WeTheGeeks  

2013-05-15 22:03:32 (26 comments, 54 reshares, 314 +1s)

2013-05-15 18:21:41 (10 comments, 39 reshares, 129 +1s)

Ever wanted to get a master's degree in computer science but felt like it was too expensive?

Georgia Tech and Udacity have the answer for you! Today they announced they'll jointly offer a master's degree that costs $7,000. Total. Learn more here: goo.gl/S2ntJ

2013-05-15 17:28:37 (4 comments, 10 reshares, 67 +1s)

Invent the Future, Change the World!

http://goo.gl/cK3Ec

In about a half hour, come join us for a Hangout On Air with Salim Ismail, Global Ambassador for Singularity University. Learn how SU's graduates are creating technologies that will fundamentally change our future.

http://goo.gl/cK3Ec

(Image: SingularityU.org)

2013-05-15 17:14:54 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 26 +1s)

Google I/O 2013

For those interested in what's happening at Google's I/O conference today, check out the live stream! You'll hear all about new Google features, big announcements and updates to your favorite Google products. #io13  

2013-05-15 15:45:05 (54 comments, 105 reshares, 458 +1s)

Super-squirrel!

No, it's not the latest caped crusader. The Eurasian red squirrel, otherwise known as Sciurus vulgaris, looks like the bad-boy of the rodent set, sporting a Mohawk-style crest. It's not actually a flying squirrel - those have webbing between their fore- and rear paws that allow them to glide - but this Sciurus is doing its best to emulate them. Red squirrels are diminishing in number, in part due to encroachment by North America's eastern grey squirrel.

http://goo.gl/nVUib

(Image: Andrey Chernyh, RussiaPicture, CATERS)

2013-05-15 00:13:57 (16 comments, 18 reshares, 158 +1s)

Is this domed dinosaur the oldest in the world?

The fossil of a bone-headed dinosaur about the size of a dog has been discovered in Alberta, Canada. The pachycephalosaur (a group of dinosaurs with bony skulls) is thought to be the oldest known fossil from the North American continent - and may be the oldest in the world.

http://goo.gl/saVfn

(Image: Reconstruction of Acrotholus audeti)

2013-05-14 22:22:17 (21 comments, 49 reshares, 111 +1s)

The average person spends about 20,160 minutes kissing. VSauce explores the scientific study of kissing, "philematology."

2013-05-14 17:08:01 (223 comments, 197 reshares, 883 +1s)

2013-05-14 15:29:37 (12 comments, 30 reshares, 136 +1s)

This venus fly trap lives about 5,000 feet below the water. 
Photo: I. MacDonald.

2013-05-14 13:45:33 (2 comments, 8 reshares, 60 +1s)

Want to find out some of the coolest, most science fiction-y projects going on in the world today?

http://goo.gl/cK3Ec

Come to our Hangout On Air tomorrow with Salim Ismail, Global Ambassador for Singularity University.

Singularity U brings some of the most amazing scientists and technologists together to showcase projects and initiatives that are intended to change the world.

Sign up on the event page, post questions to ask Salim, and come watch the Hangout On Air!

http://goo.gl/cK3Ec

11:00AM PT / 1:00PM CT / 2:00PM ET / 1900 GMT / 2000 CET

(Image: Singularity University)

2013-05-14 18:53:24 (28 comments, 43 reshares, 190 +1s)

Can a squid fly?

In rumors and myth, yes. But until now, it hadn't been definitively proven. Here indeed is a species of squid that clearly can take to the air. But how?

http://goo.gl/jc4F2

(Image: Hokkaido University)

2013-05-13 22:48:10 (5 comments, 6 reshares, 35 +1s)

Farmers use infrared images to target fertilizer application to avoid the runoff that pollutes waterways. (Photo by Peter Essick, NDVI processing by Bill Stocks)

Take a look at the issues cause by overuse of fertilizer—and methods to alleviate them: http://on.natgeo.com/1267L6w

2013-05-13 21:34:58 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 15 +1s)

Quiz yourself on your science prowess by taking nature.com Community's weekly Friday science quiz.

2013-05-13 18:05:12 (5 comments, 6 reshares, 43 +1s)

Why do we get more hairy as we get older (except on our heads)?

Some types of hair develop anagen sensitivity the older we get, so cells are not diving as often. When hair follicles are then exposed to hormones like testosterone for long erpiods of time, you'll see extra growth in areas in like the nose, ear and eyebrows. 

2013-05-13 15:55:39 (24 comments, 62 reshares, 140 +1s)

For the first 5-6 weeks of development, babies only have X chromosomes (which create feamles). It is only after the 6 week mark that some babies become men if the Y chromosome becomes activated.

2013-05-13 02:02:21 (21 comments, 146 reshares, 254 +1s)

Spaceman sings "Space Oddity"

From the International Space Station, Canadian astronaut +Chris Hadfield breaks into an impromptu version of David Bowie's "Space Oddity." Priceless.

2013-05-13 01:28:38 (8 comments, 30 reshares, 110 +1s)

Check out this episode (out of many) of Sylvia’s Super-Awesome Maker Show. Sylvia is an 11 year old scientist who participated in the White House science fair contest and is becoming well sought after for speaking engagements. Congrats, Sylvia, and keep up the great work! Learn more about Sylvia here: goo.gl/BR1Fj 

2013-05-12 23:41:35 (14 comments, 8 reshares, 40 +1s)

It's the last day to vote for your favorite name for our new penguin chick! Click here now to vote for your choice: http://bit.ly/cas-penguin2 

Final 3 names:

ALTO – In honor of Althea Westphal, the dedicated founder of SANCCOB, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of threatened seabirds, like African penguins, in the wild. (Submitted by Noemie H. from Berkeley.)

AMANZI – Amanzi means “water” in Zulu, a widely spoken language in southern Africa, the African penguin's natural coastal habitat. (Submitted by Audrey A. from Petaluma.)

LINUS – In honor of Carolus Linnæus, the taxonomist who originally described the African penguin species in 1758. (Submitted by Corey M. from Fairfield.)

2013-05-12 23:40:17 (1 comments, 3 reshares, 26 +1s)

Wishing a happy Mother's Day to all the moms celebrating today. Head on over to our homepage to craft something special with our Mother's Day card-making machine doodle: www.google.com

2013-05-12 22:37:53 (23 comments, 32 reshares, 144 +1s)

And speaking of transporting ducks...

Or, rather, a duck and a transporter. If you're not a fan of the "Doctor Who" TV series, this may be a little obscure. But Whovians know that the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space) is a space-and-time machine disguised as a phone box. Obviously, this is a duck (who lives in Leatherhead, Surrey in the United Kingdom) with dreams of far-away galaxies.

http://goo.gl/RdbTv

(Image: Rex Features)

2013-05-13 11:32:08 (125 comments, 181 reshares, 744 +1s)

If it walks like a duck...

Here's a poultry farmer in Shandong province in China. The job of raising ducks, geese and chickens has become more complicated in the era of bird flu, such as the recent H7N9 virus.

http://goo.gl/fMQXy

(Image: Reuters)

2013-05-13 19:51:31 (63 comments, 84 reshares, 324 +1s)

Answer to the question below (as several of you guessed): The U.S. day today that's connected to Molybdenum+Thorium+Erbium+Sulfur is... Mother's Day!

What day of the year is Mother's Day in your part of the world?