The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to three people, all Japanese-born, for their work with particle physics.  Nature News has the details.  Specifically, they did research on broken symmetry and C-P violation.

CERN has officially launched the largest computing grid on Earth, for now.  Even though the LHC is down for a while, the computing grid is now operational and will be available to process all the data from the LHC.

The LHC Computing Grid consists of many other computing grids around the world.  Also, the LHC@home project acts in conjunction with the grid.

Dr. Money (yes, that's his name), from Miami University, recorded some ultra high-speed video of fungi releasing their spores at ridiculous speeds.  The spores were found to accelerate at up to 180,000 gs.  You can read all the details in the paper.

Some of his students made a "Fungus Opera" using some of the footage Dr. Money recorded.

Earlier today, Yves Rossy, a 49-year-old swiss aviation expert, flew a jet-powered wing contraption across the English Channel.  The wings are made of carbon fiber and are powered by four kerosene-fueled jet engines.  It looks like something from the next James Bond movie.

(via techradar)

NASA commisioned a guy to make a rap video about astrobiology.  That has to be one of the strangest things I have ever heard of.  Check it out.

Also, if you haven't already, watch the LHC Rap.

According to a new study, 6.7 grams of chocolate per day is the optimum amount to protect against cardiovascular disease.  So stock up on the chocolate goodness and take your daily dose of cocoa with your vitamins.

In other news, the PRIMA (Phase-Referenced Imaging Microarcsecond Astrometry) instrument has been installed at the VLT.  The press release is here.

Rule #1: Don't confuse Star Wars and Star Trek.

Rule#2: Don't try to quote either of them unless you actually know the quote.

Rule#3: Don't break both of the previous rules at the same time.

Read about it here.

Wow.  I kinda feel sorry for the guy, but what do you expect when he breaks all three rules?

Hubble has found something and astronomers are puzzled as to what and where it is.  They are calling it an optical transient.  It appears to be outside of any known galaxy and does not appear to fit within any current class of object.

Very interesting.

Read the paper for all the details.

There has been a lot going on recently.  First of all, I am now engaged to Katy!  (Huzzah!)  We're trying to figure out exactly when and where and all that jazz now.

Photos of the Day are now just on the right column and not mixed in with the blog posts.  Also, you may have noticed I have a links page now that I will update periodically.

Other News:

Carbon-Dating Not Accurate?

Nuclear Reactor on the Moon

The Other Choice (Read more)

Intel X25-M SSD

The LHC Fires Up

Matt sent me a link to some good photos of the LHC.  They are all interesting in both an artistic and scientific point of view.  Check them out if you haven't already.