Major storm set to pound away (weather.com)

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The celestial whirligig

   Comet McNaught, the Great Comet of 2007, has been delighting those who have seen it with the unaided eye as a spectacular display in the evening sky. Pushing ESO's New Technology Telescope to its limits, a team of European astronomers have obtained the first, and possibly unique, detailed observations of this object. Their images show spectacular jets of gas from the comet spiralling several thousands of kilometres into space, while the spectra reveal the presence of sodium in its atmosphere, something seen very rarely.
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Electric cars get White House showcase (AP)

   

AP - President Bush peered under the hood of an all-electric sport utility truck parked at the White House Friday and said his goal of reducing gasoline use by 20 percent over the next decade is realistic.

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Major storm to bring snow and severe weather (weather.com)

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Adult stem cell study flawed, panel says (AP)

   

AP - A scientific panel says a 2002 study that suggested adult stem cells might be as useful as embryonic ones was flawed and its conclusions may be wrong, a finding that raises questions about the promise of a less controversial source for stem cells.

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New lakes beneath Antarctic ice

   Scientists find four big lakes under the ice of Antarctica which may help explain how ice flows into the sea.
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Best Literature Review Winners!

   Congratulations to Jonathan H. Tao and Stephanie L. Svetlik, who won the S&E Library's "Best Literature Review" Awards at yesterday's Jacobs School of Engineering Research Expo. Each one received a $125 bookstore giftcard, and their posters will soon be on...
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Nature Nanotechnology & Nature Photonics

   Nature's newest journals, Nature Nanotechnology and Nature Photonics, are now available at UCSD. The multidisciplinary Nature Nanotechnology (launched Fall 2006) will publish significant and quality papers covering all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology, including "the design, characterization and production of...
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A second big February storm (weather.com)

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Illinois senate OKs stem cell research (AP)

   AP - The Illinois Senate voted Friday to spend state tax dollars on embryonic stem cell research, despite objections from those who argue the research destroys human life.
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Beaver seen in NYC; first in centuries (AP)

   

AP - Beavers grace New York City's official seal. But the industrious rodents haven't been spotted here for as many as 200 years — until this week.

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Astronauts practice March countdown (AP)

   

AP - The six crew members of space shuttle Atlantis strapped into the spacecraft and ran through a practice countdown Friday in preparation for the program's first launch of the year next month.

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MoD defends psychic study

   The Ministry of Defence defends its decision to carry out tests concerning the existence of psychic powers.
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Polish vote on controversial road

   Poland is to hold a regional referendum to try to defuse a row with the EU and environmentalists.
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1st Beaver spotted in NYC in 200 years (AP)

   AP - Beavers grace New York City's official seal. But the industrious rodents have not been seen in the flesh here for as many as 200 years — until this week.
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Emotion robots learn from people

   Making robots that interact with people emotionally is the goal of a European project led by British scientists.
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Major storm system unfolding (weather.com)

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Britain to pay women for ova to research (AP)

   AP - The British government has approved a plan to allow women to donate eggs for stem cell and cloning research and to be compensated for it — an action that scientists hope will improve the supply of eggs.
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Advanced geometry of Islamic art

   Geometric principles used in Islamic art were only discovered centuries later by western mathematicians.
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Poles 'vital for climate science'

   Polar research is essential in understanding the risks of climate change, the UK's science minister declares.
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Cyclone downgraded after barrelling through Mozambique (AFP)

   

AFP - Cyclone Favio, which left a trail of destruction after sweeping through parts of Mozambique, has been downgraded on Friday to a tropical depression as it moved towards neighbouring Zimbabwe.

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Decoys fix quantum key swapping

   British researchers find a way to close a potential flaw in quantum communication systems.
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New Zealand demands Japan move whaler (AP)

   AP - New Zealand demanded Friday that Japan explain why its oil-laden whaling ship has not yet been moved away from the pristine Antarctic coast eight days after being crippled by fire.
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