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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 robotsListen 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...

Polluted Waters Still Outnumber Clean in Virginia

The Va. DEQ has released its latest assessment of water quality in the state.  High quality water in many areas is still years away.

Tallest Man Surgery at UVA Deemed a Success

The world's tallest man has been given a good prognosis following surgery yesterday at the UVA Medical Center for a rare condition that causes uncontrolled growth. Charles Fishburne has a follow-up Science Matters report.

Kids Harvest Produce at SMV's Green Acre Farm

A Science Matters report.  There is a farm behind the Science Museum of Virginia designed to give kids a chance to see how urban gardens work and how it's possible even today to grow one's own food.  

World’s Tallest Man To Get Surgery at UVA to Stop Uncontrolled Growth

The world’s tallest man comes to Charlottesville today for an operation that doctors believe will stop his uncontrolled growth and prolong his life. Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.

Greening the Capitol

Last week Governor McDonnell and other state officials broke ground on a set of projects to make green renovations to the state capitol’s landscape.. Craig Carper reports.