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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 to dedicate 1.5 million dollar electron microscope tomorrow

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

The University of Virginia has just received a state-of-the-art, 1.5 million dollar electron microscope that can magnify up to two million times. Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.

Science Matters: UVA professor says classrooms do not teach love of science

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Last week's National Report Card on students and science found over half in the 4th, 8th and 12th grades did not do well in science, and worse, didn’t seem to care about it. In this Science Matters Report, Charles Fishburne talks with UVA Professor Robert Tai whose research suggests a better way to do it.

Science Matters: NASA Administrator visits Math Science Innovation Center

John Ogle in Science Matters

On Friday, the 25th anniversary of the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger, astronaut Charles Bolden spent time at The Math Science Innovation Center in Richmond.

Science Matters: Math-Science Center simulates space travel for kids

John Ogle in Science Matters

It was 25 years ago today that the Space Shuttle Challenger was lost 73 seconds after launch. At the Math Science Innovation Center in Richmond, the dreams of the first teacher in space are being realized.

UVA’s Cardiac Valve Center opens a new Hybrid Operating Room that promises safer surgery

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

The University of Virginia’s Cardiac Valve Center has just opened a new Hybrid Operating Room that promises safer, less-invasive surgeries, shorter recuperation and better outcomes. Charles Fishburne talks with Co-Director Dr. Scott Lim about UVA’s pioneering procedures in this Science Matters report.