When choosing a partner, girls don't want to have fun—they just want to make healthy babies. At least, that's what a study published by a San Antonio University of Texas professor might seem to imply. In other news, expect pickup artist Mystery to start marketing his own line of basal thermometers. more ›

The Statesman is reporting that Andrew Wakefield, the autism researcher from the UK based in Austin, is filing a defamation suit in response to criticism of an article he published in The Lancet in 1998 and the resulting chaos in the autism and scientific research communities. The claim states that "The Defamatory Statements were and are false and written and published with actual malice and intended to cause damage to Dr. Wakefield's reputation and to permanently impair his reputation and livelihood." You can read the entire complaint from Wakefield's attorneys here. more ›

The Solar Energy Industries Association recently reported that Texas has moved up the ranks two spaces and is currently ranked as the 10th photovoltaic market. This is particularly impressive given the lack of strong state incentives for going solar. more ›

• We may want to rethink how we’re planning on closing the budget gap in Texas. Cutting education programs is making us look bad to the rest of the country.
• Hello, patriarchy! We now have low-calorie Dr Pepper, with a slogan "Dr Pepper Ten: It's Not for Women." No word if a 12-pack comes with a sign for your treehouse reading “No girls allowed!”
• Album based on growing up in Houston’s suburb of The Woodlands wins an award from the New Music Express.

Poverty can suppress a child's genetic potential, according to a study released Monday by scientists at the University of Texas at Austin. The results of the study showed cognitive disparities among socioeconomic groups beginning at age two, while at ten months they were generally equal. Higher socioeconomic groups scored "significantly higher," the study found. more ›

Austin is the largest city in America without a planetarium. It's easy to see a spectacular spread of stars deep in the heart of West Texas, but local educators and city-bound stargazers have to make their way San Antonio (or Killeen!). more ›

Chief among the proposed amendments is a call for criticizing the theory of evolution by noting its weaknesses; another change would question the process of planet formation. Supporters of the amendment who are attending the debates in person include the Free Market Foundation and Focus on the Family, the latter group which is less known for its scientific acumen than its crusade against the gays. Various evolutionary "heavy-hitters," as Wired's Science blog calls them, are also in town to root for the opposing team. more ›

In part a genre history of 50's era sci-fi movies, Monsters from the ID promises footage of rickety-looking pre-CGI robots and aliens, along with reels of scenes in which scientists make love to women in high heels and round-collared dresses. For kitsch-seekers, the 50's flashbacks will deliver. However, director David Gargani, has bigger fish to fry, as the movie makes clear when it transitions from a meditation on the cultural factors which influenced the resurgence of sci-fi during this decade into a polemic on the need for Americans to reclaim their past love affair with science and technology—before the rest of the world passes us by. more ›

Today the State Board of Education approved changes in the state science curriculum, removing any language on the "weaknesses" of evolution. Yesterday the textbook commission had voted 8-7 to defeat (barely) a proposed amendment requiring that state biology textbooks retain the phrase "strengths and weaknesses" on the subject of evolution. Texas has used such language in science texts for the past decade. Today's Board of Education vote is only tentative; the official vote is in March, but will likely bear the same result. The vote in March will affect our state's curriculum for the next 10 years. [DMN] more ›

A sophomore at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science at the University of North Texas was awarded the prestigious Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology Award this morning for coming up with a nifty improvement on medical gadgets that could save hundreds of thousands of lives. Dubbed "Versatile Antimicrobial Coatings from Plasma Deposited Hydrogels and Hydrogel Composites," 17-year-old Wen Chyan's invention revolves around a special adhesive material that would be used to fend against bacterial infections that often spread via contaminated breathing tubes and other life-saving devices. Along with the recognition, Chyan scored a cool $100,000 in scholarship funds. [DentonRC] more ›

Science and Engineering will be at the heart of many of the exhibits and activities at this weekend's Maker Faire. Far from overly nerdy or too cerebral, many of these projects are inspiring and entertaining applications of some complex calculations. Even if math sometimes makes our brains hurt, we're excited to check out the many brainy, techy, creations that will be on display. Academy Award winning special effects and stunt coordinator Steve Wolf will be demonstrating how science is used to create special effects and help with stunts. The local chapter of the American Chemistry Society will be supervising a dozen hands on chemical activities in the Maker Kids area. Prospective scientists will be encouraged to check out the Therm Fire Sculpture Robots show complete with four flaming robots, a gigantic Tesla coil, and a turbine powered fire sculpture. Don't try this at home (or, as Maker Faire might suggest, do try it at home with the appropriate safety precautions). more ›

• A toy rocket was close to nailing a Continental flight over Houston.
• Just In Time For The 4th of July! Watermelon and Viagra contain similar makeup!
• Chemical used in production of plasma screen TVs is said to be extremely harmful and contributes to increased global warming.

Obama to make a speech on race this morning which will address his pastor's none-too-politic comments on the subject. The Dalai Lama might "resign" if violence in Tibet keeps getting worse. News flash: US consumers are going to become fiscally responsible again! Oh man! The new New York guv has had affairs too! But at least this time, his wife got hers as well. more ›

As the trendiness of "going green" evolves more into an issue of long term sustainability, Austin continues to thrive when it comes to merging civic leadership, local business, and tactical implementation for more sustainable living. Popular Science recently released a list of the top 50 greenest cities and Austin rounded out the top 10. Other Texas cities making the top 50 include Fort Worth, Amarillo, and Laredo. more ›

Cap Metro bus caught fire on northbound 183 this morning. Ronnie Earle endorses Rosemary Lehmberg, his co-worker, to run for his current position. A case of death, mutilation and possible cannibalism in Tyler over the weekend. more ›

• Russian Premier, er, we mean President Putin using Soviet-style measures to suppress political opposition? The evidence just keeps on rolling in...
• Yesterday, British forces formally handed the province of Basra to the Iraqi government. This is the ninth province transferred to Iraqi control by American-led forces since July 2006.
• The week-long U.N. climate-change conference, held in Bali, ended last Friday. A ranking has been released showing which countries have the most proactive greenhouse gas emissions policies in the works. Mexico was ranked fourth. The U.S. came in second to last, beating out only Saudi Arabia.

Eanes was concerned because the teacher had led their physics program to be one of the best in the nation and had quit less than 45 days before the start of the school year. Therefore, they refused to accept his resignation and filed a complaint with the state. Yesterday, however, Eanes school district superintendent Nola Wellman announced that if Harper turns in his resignation again (by the end of this week), she will recommend that it be accepted and the complaint to the state be dropped. more ›

Photo by Northern Transplant on flickr The Trail of Lights will open this Sunday evening. Suspicious black powder sent to office at Ninth and Congress today. Looks like vice chancellor and dean of agriculture Elsa Murano will soon be A&M's first female president. The former TEA science director forced out for forwarding an email on evolution thinks she is now unemployable. Will the upcoming strip club "tax" affect the Alamo Drafthouse? The Texas Comptroller's office... more ›

The allegorical narrative of Moses bringing down the Ten Commandments represents a massive backwards step for humankind, culturally and intellectually...Modern monotheism’s overlooked Pandora’s Box. more ›

Photo from AIArchitect.com We recently came across this fascinating master's architecture project by UT Arlington alumnus Jason Mellard. Drawing from Star Wars and "biomimicking" the clam shell, this archipelago of futuristic donuts would function as a self-sustaining aquatic research platform, designed to allow scientists to study marine animals and fish in their natural habitat for extended periods of time. From AIArchitect: The research spheres consist of laboratories, classrooms, computer labs, viewing platforms, holding tanks, offices,... more ›

Comic from ToothPasteForDinner.com State science curriculum director Chris Comer says she was forced to resign today according to the Austin-American Statesman. She walked away from her nine-year career with the Texas Education Agency amid accusations of insubordination and misconduct, both of which appear to be connected with her apparent bias against the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to the theory of evolution. The senior adviser on statewide initiatives, Lizzette Reynolds, who previously served... more ›

Wait a minute; monkeys actually DO steal stuff in real life, not just in movies? Desertion rate in the Army is 80% higher than it was in 2003 when we invaded Iraq. Austin concert promoter C3 Presents encountering political obstacles in bringing music festival to Philadelphia. The first completely legal mp3 blog, RCRD LBL, went up Thursday. That girl who was asked by Southwest Airlines personnel to show less skin before boarding is now... more ›

Photo of Divali celebration courtesy of Kokeshi President Bush visits wounded soldiers at Brooke Army Medical Center, demonstrates how to "shoot the bad guys" in Iraq--on a computer game, that is A 160-pound chimp attempts a daring escape from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, prompting a sweep of the entire 381-acre campus. He was later found; authorities were careful to point out that "Jake" wasn't carrying any diseases, and was merely there for "behavioral science"... more ›

Most Americans think waterboarding is torture...but some still think we should go ahead and do it. Whaaaa? No more booze on the beach in San Diego for one year. Buzzkill. Big mudslide hits Chiapas. Portland solidifies position as Bike City, USA. Please, take us with you! Newest trendy food ingredients: chemicals. Vermont is now the nation's healthiest (yuppiest) state. Hollywood writers go on strike - will other Tinseltown workers support them? Barack Obama will.... more ›

Image from RCIS.org Solar Austin Happy HourTuesday, November 6Artz Rib House [map]6:30-8:30pm[info]Solar Austin gathers for their monthly happy hour Tuesday at Artz Rib House. Renowned science fiction author and founder of Viridian Design Movement, Bruce Sterling, will be the featured and the topic will be Future Trends in Solar. Best known for his eight science fiction novels, Mr. Sterling is also a contributing editor of WIRED magazine and a columnist for MAKE magazine. He has... more ›

As far as ghosts and ghoulies go, we know that Austin has spooky entertainment options coming out the yin-yang, not to mention the standard trick-or-treating action. However, it has been brought to our attention that it is no longer socially acceptable for 20 to 30-somethings to beg candy off their neighbors (we have no shame), and our sexy bumblebee/sexy heart surgeon/sexy bottle of pepto bismol costumes are looking a little shabby this season. So... more ›

Beginning of the end? First baby boomer files for Social Security. The Rockies are going to the World Series. No, not the Rockettes. The Rockies. The South is thirsty. Not metaphorically. China is, like, the only entity in the world that doesn't love the Dalai Lama. Greenpeace says the iPhone is toxic. Small boys rejoice: a giant new dino has been found in Argentina. Led Zep finally gets with the program.... more ›

The new head of EMI apparently gets it. Study: "War on Terror" is spawning legions of terrorists. Texas investor to help fund the International Space Station with the hope of saving millions of lives. Campaign by Blackwater to further embarrass our country continues to be a great success. Parisian vandals destroy valuable piece of art, trot away laughing, smoking cigarettes and looking absolutely fabulous. Article about students getting it on during class at a... more ›

Senator Larry E. Craig of Idaho will remain in the Senate despite calls for his resignation. Myanmar junta summons U.S. envoy for talks. Ig Nobel awards celebrate jet-setting Viagra-using hamsters and our military's attempt to make a "gay bomb." East Sixth Street, between Pedernales and Robert Martinez, now open after yesterday's train accident caused it to be closed. North Korea agrees to dismantle "all" of its nuclear facilities by the end of the year.... more ›