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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...

Chesterfield Schools' Director Of Technology Named Best in the State

Chesterfield County Schools' new Director of Technology has just won a statewide award for his leadership in getting the county up-to-speed with technology in the schools and the shape of tomorrow's classroom.  Charles Fishburne talked with Adam Seldow about his mission in this special WCVE Science Matters Report.

Dr. Adam Seldow

NASA Langley To Help Monitor Earth Pollution From Space

A team managed by NASA's Langley Research Centerhas won a proposal to build the first space-based instrument to monitor major air pollutants across North America hourly during daytime.  Charles Fishburne has more in this WCVE Science Matters Report.

Tech Researchers Working On A "Smart Car Device" That "Talks" To The Highway

Virginia Tech Researchers are developing a new "smart car" that can "talk" to the roadway and suggest route changes to avoid accident, construction and congestion, and even help you park.  Charles Fishburne has more in this WCVE Science Matters Report.

Focused UltraSound Treatment Begins for Tremor-Dominant Parkinson's in Clinical Trials

In Charlottesville, the Focused Ultrasound Foundation has just begun new clinical trials using advanced technology to treat patients with a particular form of Parkinson's disease.  Charles Fishburne reports.

Grant Allows VCU to Expand Autism Work Training

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research has awarded a two and a half million dollar grant to Virginia Commonwealth University and its partners to help expand research leading to the meaningful employment of young people with autism.

 Dr. Paul Wehman, VCU Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.