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Icon Science, in the broadest sense of the term, refers to any system of knowledge attained by verifiable means. In a more restricted sense, science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on empiricism, experimentation, and methodological naturalism, as well as to the organized body of knowledge humans have gained by such research.

Scientists maintain that scientific investigation must adhere to the scientific method, a process for properly developing and evaluating natural explanations for observable phenomena based on empirical study and independent verification. Science, therefore, avoids supernatural explanations until all other natural possibilities have been considered, and rejects arguments from authority.

Fields of science are commonly classified along two major lines: Natural sciences, which study natural phenomena; and Social sciences, which study human behavior and societies. Whether mathematics is a science is a matter of perspective.

Fields of science can be further distinguished as pure science or applied science. Pure science is principally involved with the discovery of new truths with less (or no) regard to their applications. Applied science is principally involved with the application of existing knowledge in new ways.

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Alanine, as used in NMR implementation of error correction. Qubits are dictated by spin states of carbon atoms.A quantum computer is any device for computation that makes direct use of distinctively quantum mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. In a classical (or conventional) computer, the amount of data is measured by bits; in a quantum computer, it is measured by qubits. The basic principle of quantum computation is that the quantum properties of particles can be used to represent and structure data, and that devised quantum mechanisms can be used to perform operations with this data. For a generally accessible overview of quantum computing, see Quantum Computing with Molecules, an article in Scientific American by Neil Gershenfeld and Isaac L. Chuang.

Experiments have already been carried out in which quantum computational operations were executed on a very small number of qubits. Research in practical areas continues at a frantic pace; see Quantum Information Science and Technology Roadmapfor a sense of where the research is heading. Many national government and military funding agencies support quantum computing research, to develop quantum computers for both civilian and national security purposes, such as cryptanalysis.

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A Persian astrolabe, used for determining the time at both day and night.
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An 18th Century Persian astrolabe used for determining the time at both day and night. The points of the curved spikes on the front rete plate, mark the positions of the brightest stars. The name of each star being labeled at the base of each spike. The back plate, or mater is engraved with projected coordinate lines. From the Whipple M

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Maria MitchellMaria Mitchell (August 11, 1818 – June 28, 1889) was an American astronomer. Born on Nantucket Island, she was a first cousin four times removed of Benjamin Franklin.

Her parents were Quakers who, unconventionally for their time, insisted on giving her the same quality of education that boys received. She worked as a librarian and also pursued astronomy at her father's observatory.

Using a telescope, she discovered "Miss Mitchell's Comet" (Comet 1847 VI, modern designation is C/1847 T1) in the autumn of 1847. Some years previously, King Frederick VI of Denmark had established gold medal prizes to each discoverer of a "telescopic comet" (too faint to be seen with the naked eye). The prize was to be awarded to the "first discoverer" of each such comet (note that comets are often independently discovered by more than one person). She duly won one of these prizes, and this gave her worldwide fame, since the only previous woman to discover a comet had been Caroline Herschel.

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Science News

Science news on Wikipedia
  • February 13: Researchers at Yale School of Medicine develop a blood test which detects early stage ovarian cancer with 99 percent accuracy. (ScienceDaily)
  • February 13: A transitional fossil in bat evolution may help resolve a longstanding debate, whether echolocation or flight came first. The 52 million year old fossil has wing development while the ear lacks echolocation structures. (ScienceDaily)
  • February 11: Researchers at the University of Delaware find a promising way to repair the gene defect that causes spinal muscular atrophy. (UDel)
  • February 11: A rat study found that rats given artificial sweetener gained more weight than those on a sugar diet. Scientists speculate the body increases the metabolism anticipating calories that never come, then requires more food to make up the shortfall. (SciAm)
  • February 8: The first commercial vessel to use a kite to help save fuel created by SkySails finished its maiden voyage. Estimates are that the ship saved 10-15% fuel while the kite was in use, which translates into $1,000 to $1,500 in fuel costs per day.(Nature)
  • February 8: San Diego scientists have successfully used stem cells to treat Type I diabetes in mice. (NewScientist)
  • February 7: A new knee device is demonstrated that can generate electricity efficiently from walking with minimal effort. The system acquires energy from deceleration similar to how hybrid-electric cars regain energy from regenerative braking. (CBC)
  • February 7: New studies in the journal Science conclude Biofuels are not beneficial to climate change, as they require increased land use to grow crops and unintentionally increases the cost of food. (SciAm)
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Science news on Wikinews
  • September 18: Two largest known prime numbers discovered just two weeks apart, one qualifies for $100k prize
  • September 17: Discovery sheds light on flow of water in carbon nanotubes
  • September 16: Large particle accelerators to explore the frontiers of physics
  • September 4: Google removes ownership claim from Chrome EULA
  • September 4: Sony recalls 440,000 laptops due to wiring faults
  • September 3: DHS relies on Wikipedia for asylum information, appeals court rules against use
  • September 3: Wikinews Shorts: September 3, 2008
  • September 2: Burj Dubai becomes world's tallest tower
  • August 31: NASA considers continuing shuttle use after 2010
  • August 31: Radical left computer activists capture data of Blood and Honour web forum with 31,948 users
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