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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...

VCU Wins Grant to Develop Alternative Magnet Material

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

VCU has just received a 2.9 million dollar contract to help develop a new class of permanent magnets for use in future electric cars and generators. Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.

Math Innovation Center Student Conference this Weekend

John Ogle in Science Matters

The first of this year's Let's Innovate student conferences will take place this weekend at the Math Science Innovation Center in Richmond.

Researchers at VCU Say We Are Not Necessarily “Born Anxious”

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Researchers at VCU say our life experiences are important influences on our levels of anxiety and depression and that we are not simply “just born that way.” Charles Fishburne talked with Kenneth Kendler, principal investigator for the study.

Satellite-Tracking Shorebird Survives Hurricane Only To Be Shot By Hunters

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Researchers at VCU and the College of William and Mary, say that a valuable satellite-tracking shorebird survived a hurricane and several thousand miles of travel over open water, only to be shot by hunters on Guadaloupe. Charles Fishburne reports.

Machi
Machi Tracking Map

Shore Bird Tracked by Conservation Center Killed

John Ogle in Science Matters

A shorebird being tracked by scientists at the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary and VCU has been killed by a hunting party on Guadeloupe. John Ogle reports.

Machi
Machi tracking map