Google Doodle Celebrates Earth Day

Five artists took part in 17-pane interactive project

(NEWSER) - Five artists, 6 months, 250 hours: That’s what went into the new Google doodle that went online today, reports the Wall Street Journal . The goal was to cover holiday celebrations across the planet, and it’s accomplished in 17 interactive panes arranged to make up the logo. It went up this morning and will be there for 2 and a half days. More»

Hungarian scientist Dennis Gabor would be 110 today

(NEWSER) - Google's logo today pays homage to Hungarian scientist Dennis Gabor, who's credited with inventing the science of holography. Gabor, who died in 1979, was born 110 years ago today, reports the Telegraph . His invention is, of course, in wide application today—how else would CNN reporters materialize at will? More»

Anti-military sci-fi 'hippies' giving conservatives fits

(NEWSER) - Here's one more thing that's sure to rocket hyper-popular Avatar to even greater heights: right-wingers hate it. America's "prickly cadre of political conservatives" can't stand its eco message, negative portrayal of vicious military contractors and its "can't-we-all-get along counterculture vibe," writes Patrick Goldstein in the Los Angeles Times . More»

Recordings + math equations = accurate numbers

(NEWSER) - The intensity of birdsong can be used to accurately calculate bird populations, scientists have discovered. Researchers are using recordings from microphones placed in woods to count birds using mathematical equations. The method is expected to revolutionize the monitoring of other species. Counting animals is extremely time consuming, and many species, such as dolphins and whales, are heard and not seen. More»

(NEWSER) - A dog has about the same impact on the planet as an SUV, according to a study out of New Zealand. The authors of Time to Eat the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living claim the environmental footprint of a Toyota Land Cruiser is smaller than the ecological impact of a medium-size canine, which can't even give you a lift to the recycling center. "If you look at a large-size dog, they can live 10-14 years, and it certainly wouldn't surprise me," an expert tells the Seattle Times . More»