NASA gives go for Mars rover launch in 2009

LOS ANGELES (AP) - NASA has decided to press ahead with plans to launch a big new rover to Mars next year.

Friday's decision comes after concerns were raised about the budget and technical progress for the Mars Science Laboratory.

The head of the Mars exploration program at NASA headquarters says the space agency will look at the mission's progress again in January.

Eureka!: Team sees downside to sports drinks

The positive health effects associated with 75 minutes on an exercise bike can be wiped out by a single bowl of pasta or half a bottle of a sports drink, according to new research by UMass scientists who found high-carb meals and drinks- hailed for their ability to boost energy - can blunt the benefits of exercise.

Tropical species not immune to warming

WASHINGTON - If you can't stand global warming, get out of the tropics.

While the most significant harm from climate change so far has been in the polar regions, tropical plants and animals may face an even greater threat, say scientists who studied conditions in Costa Rica.

User Friendly: Nothing to do

I used to complain about going to my grandmother's house. "There's nothing to do," I'd whine. I can say, with some certainty, that this passed as soon as I was old enough to appreciate the writing of Mr. Clemens because grandma and grandpa had "The Complete Works of Mark Twain" in the bookshelf to the right of the fireplace.

Future of Mars mission unclear

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Will NASA's flagship mission to Mars fly next year?

The space agency could decide as early as Friday whether to cancel, delay or proceed with plans to launch a nuclear-powered, SUV-size rover to the red planet.

Nobel Prize in chemistry began with jellyfish: Trio shares award for efforts using fluorescent protein

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Two Americans, including one who works in Falmouth, Mass., and a U.S.-based Japanese scientist won the Nobel Prize in chemistry on Wednesday for research on a glowing jellyfish protein that revolutionized the ability to study disease and normal development in living organisms.

Survey paints 'bleak picture' for mammals

BARCELONA, Spain - A quarter of the world's wild mammal species are at risk of extinction, according to a comprehensive global survey released here Monday.

User Friendly: Stumbling in the darkness

The odds are against it. About 64 million to 1 against it.

Red planet to see snow

The latest forecast on Mars calls for morning fog and swift-moving clouds - along with light snow.

The surprising weather report was part of the latest scientific findings from NASA's Phoenix lander, which has been taking measurements at the Martian north pole since landing May 25.

NASA delays Hubble repairs

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - NASA said Monday it is delaying its mission to the Hubble Space Telescope until next year because of a serious breakdown of the observatory in orbit.

Space shuttle Atlantis had been scheduled to blast off in just two weeks, but a new and unexpected problem with the Hubble appeared on Saturday night when the telescope stopped sending science data.

Chinese astronauts return heroes

BEIJING (AP) - Chinese astronauts returned to earth and emerged triumphant from their capsule Sunday after successfully completing the country's first-ever spacewalk mission.

Apple to make iTunes more accessible for the blind

BOSTON (AP) - Apple Inc. and the Massachusetts attorney general have reached an agreement that will provide blind consumers and students with equal access to Apple's iTunes and iTunes U.

Attorney General Martha Coakley said details of the agreement will be announced Friday.