Science/Technology

April 22, 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

Earth Day, one day set aside to appreciate the earth, started as a grassroots environmental campaign that has since grown into a global day of awareness. Cities around the world are holding events to mark the anniversary and long-standing meaning of the day.

Dave Gesswein shows off the schematics of his Challenger II.: photo by Andy Medici

     It doesn't have its own monitor. No mouse, no hard drive, no graphic user interface and only 8MB of RAM, but for Evan Koblentz, it's exactly the type of computer that he wants.

American University professors Jane Hall and Matthew Nisbet listen to a question from the audience.: Photo by William W. Cummings, American Observer

In the wake of a survey that found young Americans increasingly disconnected from the debate over climate change, journalists and academics gathered at American University’s American Forum Monday to discuss why those who would be most effected by global warming seem to care the least. The roughly 200 students in attendance took advantage of the opportunity to question the panelists and assert their own thoughts on how well the news media have covered the topic.

Reagan National Airport has used full-body scanners since last year. TSA recently used $15 million of stimulus money for another security measure: hand swabs, which will detect residue from explosives.: Photo by Kristin McGrath"Your Safety is Our Priority" is the Transportation Security Administration's motto. And in the midst of the Obama Administration's order of 500 full-body scanners for $240 million, another security measure has been added: "explosive trace detection" or ETD. 

Net neutrality has been called many things, from “a solution in search of a problem” to “vital for the functioning of democracy,” but a quick Google trends search (pictured) shows that the matter still takes a back seat in the public’s eye when compared to other issues du jour, such as climate change, censorship, privacy and even the role of the federal reserve bank.

Despite a mostly uninterested (or uninitiated) public, paid and pro bono proponents for and against neutrality have been extremely vocal in their concerns, objections, and support of neutrality mandates.

But just what is it that gets these policy geeks and techno-wonks so fired up?

Four-pointer buck found at Leesburg Pike and Riva Ridge at the yellow sign. Obvious injury to right shoulder.: Photo by Chase Murray, American ObserverFAIRFAX, Va. – On the morning of Oct. 7, 2009, Erin Thompson was heading to work. As she drove her Lexus onto Fairfax County Parkway from Chain Bridge Road, a buck ran into the street. Thompson stepped on the brakes, but it was too late.

It's a familiar sight this year: long lines in front of clinics that offer H1N1 — swine flu — vaccination.

Most states are reporting widespread H1N1 virus activity, and there's fear of vaccine shortage around the nation.

But to some researchers this is just a preseason game for public health officials.

Sometimes it's true what they say -- if you want something done right, do it yourself. The old adage certainly holds water when it comes to buying and setting up your own personal computer.

One building in downtown D.C. has earned a platinum certification in energy efficiency and green design.

Chocolate bars, lollipops and candy corn are usually found in Halloween trick-or-treat bags, but there are some alternatives to the usual sweet treats.

Writer and mother of six, Lisa Douglas came up with one: organic and all-natural candy.

Douglas has extended her family's all-organic and natural diet to the treats her children eat on Halloween. She still serves candy and choclate, but they're free of preservatives, food colorings and salicylates (asprin-like chemicals).