New observations from the Tevatron particle accelerator at Fermilab in Illinois suggests a new heavy fundamental particle, currently being called the “top quark.” This contradicts the standard model. Fortunately when dealing with science, new evidence that calls into question the established theory is always welcome as it can bring about better understanding. (Source)

The Texas Board of Education has approved scientifically accurate biology textbook supplements. This is thanks to the anti-science members of the board being defeated in the last election. (Via Friendly Atheist)

The Navy is testing robotic jet skis for use in harbor patrols.

(Source)

Folding@Home is a great project using distributed computing to better understand protein folding, misfolding, and related diseases. It works as a background process that uses extra CPU or GPU cycles on your computer. I currently have it running on my file server, but when I get my HTPC set up again* I’ll have it running on that machine as well. One good thing is that the software is multi-platform with binaries available on their website for Windows and OS X and a tarball for Linux.** Be sure to join the Atheists, Skeptics, & Humanists group (182116). (Via Friendly Atheist and Pharyngula)

Researchers with the USGS are developing a way of implanting fungal spores (as found in many other plants) into rice seeds and plants to make them more resistant to heat, salt, and other possible catastrophes. Assuming this works, it will help protect half the world’s food supply. Yes, rice makes up almost half the world’s daily caloric intake. (Source via RD.net)

As a result of a dispute between China and Nepal, the small Himalayan kingdom is going to remeasure the mountain. This is over a claimed difference of 4 meters. Fortunately using modern technology, including GPS they will be able to have much more exact calculations than ever before. (Source via Our Amazing Planet)

South Africa is competing with Australia to host the Square Kilometre Array, which will be the world’s largest radio telescope. According to Naledi Pandor, the South African Science Minister, this could help encourage her country’s people to be more interested in science and help keep the best and brightest from moving to the US and Europe. (Source)

Researchers in Germany have genetically modified tobacco to produce an antibody that may help with HIV resistance. Even better, the treatment that is about to start safety trials is for women. (Source)

Traditionally turtles were thought to have been one of the earliest branches in the reptilian phylogenetic tree. Using genetic analysis, the evidence is suggesting that turtles are actually diaspids and more closely related to snakes and lizards than alligators and birds. (Source)

*My HTPC was running fine with Kubuntu, but I decided I wanted to have it connected wirelessly instead of running a 50′ network cable across my place. As such it became worthwhile to move the large drive I was using for backups back to my file server which has been sitting unused for a few months. I’m also in the process of switching all of my systems from *ubuntu to Arch Linux for technical and philosophical reasons.

**As a note for Linux users you should always look for a package for your distribution before compiling the software yourself. I’m sure deb and rpm packages are available. For Arch users it can be found in the AUR.