Science

NEW YORK — Earth’s days may have gotten a little bit shorter since the massive earthquake in Chile, but don’t feel bad if you haven’t noticed.
The difference would be only about one-millionth of a second.

TORONTO—Talk about a rude awakening!
Scientists have found fossil evidence that at least one species of baby dinosaur emerged from its egg—only to meet the open jaws of a huge primitive snake looking for a quick and easy snack.

Researchers have used a “revolutionary” genetic profiling tool to distinguish between closely-related strains of the potentially-deadly superbug MRSA—and even pinpoint when and where in the world the mutated bacteria first arose.
MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a strain of Staph bacteria that is not eradicated by the antibiotics commonly used to treat it.

A psychology study that looked at people’s moods and their vitality on weekdays and the weekend has found that—no surprise—they generally were happier on weekends.
“Workers, even those with interesting, high-status jobs, really are happier on the weekend,” author Richard Ryan, a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, said in a release.

Astronomers say they are on the verge of finding planets like Earth orbiting other stars—a key step in determining if we are alone in the universe.
A top NASA official and other leading scientists say that within four or five years, they should discover the first Earth-like planet where life could develop, or may have already.

WASHINGTON — Astronomers say they are on the verge of finding planets like Earth orbiting other stars, a key step in determining if we are alone in the universe.

WASHINGTON—NASA’s new planet-hunting telescope has found two mystery objects that are too hot to be planets but too small to be stars.
The Kepler Telescope, launched in March, discovered the two new heavenly bodies—each circling its own star.