HuffPost Science: Universe's New Baby Picture; Science Of Snowflakes; Bat DNA & Human Health

December 22, 2012 Subscribe · Forward LOOK: New 'Baby Picture' Of Universe Astronomers have released a new "baby picture" of the universe. The all-sky image draws on nine years' worth of data from a now-retired spacecraft dubbed the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe. Continue reading... WATCH: The Science Of Snowflakes Bat DNA May Hold Clues To Better Health In Humans Most Exciting Alien Planet Discoveries Of 2012 Megapiranha, Prehistoric Piranha, May Have Had Strongest Bite Ever NASA Z-1 Spacesuit Prototype Looks Like Buzz Lightyear's Getup (VIDEO, PHOTOS) Human Hand Evolved For Fighting, Study Of Boxers & Martial Artists Suggests SETH SHOSTAK Target: Earth Buying insurance is seldom gratifying. But here's a case in which plunking down cash for a policy is just ... good policy. Continue reading... ROB BROOKS Hands Are for Fighting, Not for Talking? So many popular stories about evolution strive to pinpoint a single evolutionary force responsible for a particular trait. I am expecting that we will see a new tide of stories that are just so, given that news of a new biomechanical study of human hands and fists has hit the presses. Continue reading... PHIL PLAIT How to Defend Earth From Asteroids It only takes one asteroid, 100 or so meters across, impacting the Earth to explode with the force of a dozen nuclear weapons. This is something we might wish to avoid! So what do we do? Continue reading... MARK BOSLOUGH Global Catastrophes in Perspective The probability of impact by one of these before the end of the century is 0.0005 percent. On the other hand, recent research suggests a 2 percent probability of global catastrophe from anthropogenic climate change by the end of this century. Continue reading... MARIO LIVIO Asteroids Giveth and Asteroids Taketh Away There is no doubt that a huge asteroid impact on Earth would be devastating to many life forms. However, we often forget that asteroid impacts may have played a crucial role in the emergence of life on Earth, and possibly even in the fact that humans are here to talk about them! Continue reading... Received this from a friend? Sign up for alerts from The Huffington Post here Unsubscribe here.