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Tomorrow’s Jets Could Fly with Flower Power

Camelina Jet Fuel

Due to rising oil prices and environmental concerns, the aviation industry is now looking at many biofuels as alternatives to petroleum derived fuel. NASA researchers conducted a series of test flights recently that proved a commercial jet can fly safely with a blend of jet fuel made from Camelina plant oil.

WCVE Public Radio’s Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.

Question Your World: How Did Everyone Really End Up Everywhere?

For about 200,000 years humanity has been making its way from Africa to just about every corner of this planet. The study of our past helps explain the evolution of life here on Earth. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into digging through the past and have constructed the time line of our story, all the while continually making new discoveries. So, what happens when we make a new discovery that totally contradicts what we've learned? Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: How Do You Feel About Robots?

robot

Would you be happy if a robot gave you flowers? Would you be sad if you saw someone hurt a robot? Those are the types of questions that were on a recent German scientific survey, but why? Why do we need to understand how we feel about robots? Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: How Far Does Our Solar System Stretch?

Voyager

Our lovely and comfortable home here on Earth is a long way away from the end of our solar system. Here on Earth concepts of boundaries involve rivers, lakes, mountains, human imposed borders, and so on. However, this is not how the limits of our solar system are established. There is not one point that defines the end, but there is definitely an end and it’s really far from here. Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: Why Do We Like the Music We Like?

music headphones

Think about all the music you’ve ever listened to. Everything from Beethoven’s 5th to “Call Me Maybe” are processed through the brain, but what about them allows the brain to say yay or nay? Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

More From WCVE Public Radio...

UVA Reports Continuing Success With Scapel-Free Surgery to Relieve Debilitating Tumor

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Last March (2011), we reported that surgeons at the University of Virginia had conducted the world’s first scapel-free brain surgery to relieve a patient’s debilitating tremor.  One year later, in this WCVE Science Matters follow-up report, the news continues to be encouraging.

Dr. Jeffrey Elias, Principal Investigator

Virginia BioGENEius Challenge Deadline Nears

John Ogle in Science Matters

The Virginia Bioscience Foundation and the Virginia Biotechnology Association are again sponsors of a competition for high school students doing research in biotechnology.

Read more here to find out about one young man’s journey and the role the Virginia BioGENEius Challenge has played in his life.

Riley Ennis, 2011 Virginia BioGENEius winner

Local Eagles are Worldwide Attraction

Benjamin Dolle in Science Matters

Richmond's eagles have created an internet and scientific sensation.  WCVE News producer Benjamin Dolle has more.

VCU Reveals Results of Liver Cancer Screening Without Biopsy

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

VCU’s Massey Cancer Center released results yesterday from a pilot study underway to detect and monitor liver cancer without using biopsies.  WCVE Correspondent Charles Fishburne has this Science Matters report.

Dominion and VCU Launch Experimental “MicroGrid” System to Save Electricity

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

VCU and Dominion Virginia Power have just begun a five-year test on a “micro-grid” project that could result in substantial electric power savings on campus, and perhaps some day, at your home.  Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.