The human brain is not that special

Biology:
"A British-led study has found striking similarities among the human brain, the nervous system of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans and computer chips. A team of U.K., U.S. and German neuroscientists and computer experts led by University of Cambridge Professor Edward Bullmore compared the way the systems are organized and found all three have the same networking principles. The researchers said they found all three share two basic properties: All have the same architecture, with the same patterns repeating at different scales; and all show what's known as Rentian scaling -- a rule used to describe the relationship between the number of elements in a given area and the number of links between them."

"Study: The human brain may not be special." Space Daily
The human brain may not be special

Astronomy:
"Josh Emery, research assistant professor with the earth and planetary sciences department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has found evidence of water ice and organic material on the asteroid 24 Themis. This evidence supports the idea that asteroids could be responsible for bringing water and organic material to Earth."

"Scientists find evidence of water ice on asteroid's surface." Space Daily
Water ice on asteroid

Energy:
"Two trends are emerging for future renewable electricity. In the first, local solar, wind or biomass plants will produce more energy for small communities or single homes. In the second, large amounts of electricity will be generated by solar power stations in desert areas or extensive offshore wind farms, and delivered over long distances to densely populated areas. But how can electrical power be delivered over long distances without large losses? The solution to this problem is direct current. When electrical power at voltages from 100,000 to 1,000,000 volts is routed through high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission cables, energy losses are significantly reduced."

"How is electrical power carried across the sea." Space Daily
Electrical power transmission across the sea

Orangutan Magic Show!

Sun - Solar Flare

Astronomy:
"Soon after the instruments opened their doors, the Sun began performing for SDO with this beautiful prominence eruption. This AIA data is from March 30, 2010, showing a wavelength band that is centered around 304 �. This extreme ultraviolet emission line is from singly ionized Helium, or He II, and corresponds to a temperature of approx. 50,000 degrees Celsius."

Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupting

Geology:
A volcano eruption (Eyjafjallajökull) in Iceland has been causing a lot of havoc in the Northern Hemisphere in the past week, especially in Europe. It has grounded flights all across the continent and many people are stuck and can't get back home or to their destination. The interesting thing is that flights can get off in the main Iceland airports, since the ash is being carried south and the main airport for example in Keflavik is located more to the north. The last time the volcano erupted in the 19th century, it continued on erupting for more than two years from 1821 to 1823.

Secret rivers in Antarctica

Biology/Geology:
Antarctica is an interesting continent. Once, millions of years ago, it actually had a lush landscape. However now most of it is a frozen wasteland of ice. Under the ice is a different story though. There are lakes and rivers flowing and they might even contain life.

"Antarctica's buried lakes are connected by a network of rivers moving water far beneath the surface, say UK scientists. It was thought the sub-glacial lakes had been completely sealed for millions of years, enabling unique species to evolve in them. Writing in the journal Nature, experts say international plans to drill into the lakes may now have to be reviewed. Any attempts to drill into one body of water risks contaminating others.

"What this paper shows is that not only could you contaminate a lake, you could contaminate the whole drainage system," lead author Duncan Wingham, of University College London, told the BBC News website."

"Secret rivers found in Antarctica." BBC News
Secret rivers in Antarctica

Czecho-Slovakia national anthem

Soviet Union anthem