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Science

Temperature Just Right For Life On Planet 'Goldilocks'

A National Science Foundation artist's drawing shows the inner four planets orbiting Gliese 581, a red dwarf star just 20 light-years from Earth. The newly discovered planet, in the foreground, has a 37-day orbit and, like Earth, is distant enough from the star for liquid water to exist. Lynette Cook hide caption

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Lynette Cook

Space

Temperature Just Right For Life On Planet 'Goldilocks'

Astronomers found a planet orbiting a star just 20 light-years away whose temperature is neither too cold nor too hot to harbor life. Scientists have not directly observed water there, but the planet’s mass is enough to hold onto an atmosphere and to protect liquid water on its surface.

Chilled-Out Buildings Save Energy, Money

Inside Veolia Energy's Plant Three in Baltimore, blue pipes carry chilled water that will be sent out to cool nearby buildings. The green pipes carry condensed water that removes heat from the chilling system, and orange pipes carry a refrigerant. The yellow pipes are for a future cooling system. Mike Ruocco/NPR hide caption

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Mike Ruocco/NPR

Energy

Chilled-Out Buildings Save Energy, Money

A facility in Baltimore uses a high-tech version of old-fashioned ice to provide efficient, thrifty cooling to local buildings. Water is frozen at night when electricity is cheapest, then chills water circulated to buildings. Customers save about 10 percent on their energy costs.

Jim Parsons On The Science Of Sheldon, 'Big Bang'

Sheldon Cooper — a character played by Jim Parsons in CBS's The Big Bang Theory — has an IQ of 187 and several advanced degrees but often has trouble with social interactions with other people. CBS hide caption

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CBS

Television

Jim Parsons On The Science Of Sheldon, 'Big Bang'

Fresh Air

Jim Parsons won the 2010 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper, the socially awkward theoretical physicist in the venerable CBS nerd-comedy. He joins David Bianculli for a discussion about playing the eccentric prodigy.

At Oil Spill Hearing, Calls For New Response Plan

Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen testifies Monday before the commission investigating the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Though Allen was the government's leader of the spill response, he acknowledged it was not always clear to the public who was in charge. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Gulf Oil Spill: Containment And Clean Up

At Oil Spill Hearing, Calls For New Response Plan

Scientists and government officials summoned to the presidential commission investigating the Deepwater Horizon oil spill said Monday that the oil industry and responders were unprepared for such a catastrophic event and the nation needs a better plan to deal with big spills.

DNA Is New Weapon In Fight Against Dogfighting

During a raid on a Missouri dogfighting ring, Tim Rickey of the ASPCA holds Dharma, a pit bull who lost part of her leg in a fight. Courtesy of the Humane Society of Missouri hide caption

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Courtesy of the Humane Society of Missouri

Law

DNA Is New Weapon In Fight Against Dogfighting

KQED

Scientists hope a new DNA database for dogs will help track — and prosecute — people who breed dogs to fight. But advocates say there's a risk that the DNA records could be used against the dogs, or against people who adopt them.