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December 3, 2008 1:33:11 PM CST

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Scientists, Artists Dominate MacArthur 'Genius' Grants

25 innovators receive this year's $500 prizes

New York Times New York Times Sep 23, 08 2:29 PM CDT
(Newser) - Of the 25 recipients of this year's MacArthur Foundation "genius award," 13 are scientists and eight are artists, the New York Times reports. This year, they are “people working on the very edge of discovery and people at the edge of a new synthesis,” says the foundation’s president.  Among the winners: Tara Donovan, sculptor of drinking straws and paper clips Alex Ross, New Yorker music critic Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigerian novelist More »

More about:  New Yorker magazine • innovation • artist • scientist • MacArthur genius • MacArthur Foundation

Anthrax Suspect Was Eccentric, Respected

Colleagues say scientist was innocent; others recall dark side

Washington Post Washington Post Aug 1, 08 4:54 PM CDT
(Newser) - Bruce Ivins, the government scientist who committed suicide this week as FBI investigators working the case of the 2001 anthrax attacks were closing in, was known as a quiet, introverted researcher, the Washington Post reports. One ex-colleague described him as "a well-respected scientist” although he “always seemed on the edge.” More »

More about:  FBI • suicide • anthrax • Bruce Ivins • indictment • scientist • infectious diseases • domestic terrorism

Feds Were Closing In on Anthrax Expert

They planned to indict, seek death penalty;
scientist killed himself

Associated Press Associated Press Aug 1, 08 10:15 AM CDT
(Newser) - If Army microbiologist Bruce Ivins hadn’t killed himself, he might have been executed. Federal prosecutors were on the verge of indicting Ivins in the 2001 anthrax mail attacks that killed five people, and they would have sought the death penalty, the AP reports. One official says an ongoing grand jury was closing in on the 62-year-old Maryland man, who spent more than a decade working on an anthrax vaccine. More »

More about:  FBI • suicide • anthrax • Bruce Ivins • biological weapons • scientist

Anthrax Case Scientist Commits Suicide

Microbiologist took
drug overdose as investigators closed in

Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Aug 1, 08 4:41 AM CDT
(Newser) - A government scientist in Maryland about to be charged in the 2001 anthrax attacks has apparently committed suicide, the Los Angeles Times reports. Microbiologist Bruce Ivins was questioned after the attacks for failing to report anthrax contamination at his workplace, but the investigation soon switched focus. Colleagues say Ivins became anxious after the authorities paid a settlement in June to another government scientist who had earlier been named as a prime suspect in the attacks that killed five people. More »

More about:  FBI • suicide • anthrax • biological weapons • scientist • Steven Hatfill

 8 Signs the Animal
 Kingdom Is in Trouble 

On land, at sea, and in sky, planet's woes threaten inhabitants

LiveScience LiveScience Jul 21, 08 3:20 PM CDT
(Newser) - Biologists have mounting evidence that human activity is causing real damage to the natural world. LiveScience lists overlooked indications that things are seriously out of whack. Earlier migration: Several bird species are getting their timing wrong. Jellyfish rule: The creatures are hitching rides on ships. More »

More about:  global warming • pollution • animals • migration • scientist • penguin • reptiles • jellyfish

 Mercury Is Shrinking   

Messenger spacecraft reveals planets core still molten

Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Jul 3, 08 6:35 PM CDT
(Newser) - The planet Mercury is shrinking, the LA Times reports. Data from NASA’s Mercury Messenger spacecraft reveal that the planet’s diameter has shrunk by a mile over its history, probably because its core is cooling. Messenger flew in for a close-up in January, and scientists are now piecing together the new information and re-evaluating some long-held beliefs about the planet. More »

More about:  NASA • Earth • planet • solar system • scientist • Mercury • magnetic field • molten rock

 Lousy Figure?
 Blame Mom and Dad 

Another reason to get mad at your parents: body shape is inherited

Daily Telegraph (UK) Daily Telegraph (UK) Apr 9, 08 9:10 PM CDT
(Newser) - Still struggling to get that 36-24-36 figure? Science can’t help you, but it can explain why some girls are leaner than others, reports the Telegraph . Researchers have found a link between parental DNA and female muscle mass, which could explain “why many people will never obtain the perfect figure,” says the head researcher. More »

More about:  DNA • genetics • scientific study • scientific research • genetic research • scientists • scientist • gene pool • muscle mass

Naps Boost Long-term Memory

90-minute snooze helps brain lock in events, skills

LiveScience LiveScience Jan 7, 08 6:50 PM CST
(Newser) - A daily siesta can boost long-term recall and help people learn instruments and remember decisive events, a new study says. A University of Haifa researcher taught people tapping: He showed participants a tricky rhythm, then let half sleep for an hour. Those who stayed up failed to tap better, while the nappers improved. Both groups' tapping was at par after they got a good night's sleep. More »

More about:  Israel • research • study • sleep • scientist

10 Careers With Staying Power

Career site lists the jobs that won't wear out before you do

CNN CNN Jul 15, 07 3:17 PM CDT
(Newser) - For most people job security is a thing of the past, and obsolescence a looming threat.  Happily though, there are some roles that never go out of style. Careerbuilder.com lists the most unshakable jobs, along with median annual income. Doctor: We always need someone to care for our ill.  Median annual salary is $120,000. Teacher: New crops of kids always need someone to educate them. $41,400 to $45,920 Mortician: Unless we somehow manage to eliminate death, we'll always need someone to lay our loved ones to rest.  $37,000 Waste Disposal Manager:  Humans are messy creatures.  $35,000 Scientist: We don't even know how much we don't know.  For a research scientist, $70,000; for an environmental scientist, $42,000 More »

More about:  list • doctor • job • scientist • career • waste disposal management

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