Commercial rocket will fly to the space station

For the first time, a private company will launch a rocket to the International Space Station, sending it on a grocery run this weekend that could be the shape of things to come for America's space program.

US forecasters say heat will stay on this summer

And the heat goes on. Forecasters predict toasty temperatures will stretch through the summer in the U.S. And that's a bad sign for wildfires in the West.

'Ring of Fire' eclipse visible from China to Texas

Sunrises and sunsets often dazzle, but they'll have a special ring to them in a few days for people in the western United States and eastern Asia: The moon will slide across the sun, blocking everything but a blazing halo of light.

Sumatra Volcanoes May Pack Deadly Punch

The oft-disaster-battered island of Sumatra may have yet another threat to add to the roster of natural phenomena that afflict the Indonesian island: colossal volcanic eruptions.

Teen Books Feature R-Rated Language

A significant portion of books geared toward teens contain curse words strong enough to earn a movie an R rating, new research finds.

Why Peace Is So Tricky for Humans

Like our close living relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, humans are hardwired come into conflict with one another, often violently. Even so, like our ancestors, we also have the capacity to resolve fights; something that one anthropologist says has evolved along with our societies over the millennia.

Private Rocket Poised to Make History With Saturday Launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A private spacecraft stands ready to launch on a historic first visit to the International Space Station tomorrow (May 19).

Rocket Launch Saturday Is One Giant Leap for Commercial Spaceflight

With the launch of the first privately built spacecraft to the International Space Station just days away, the commercial spaceflight industry is on the verge of a defining moment.

Human Genome adopts rights plan to ward off Glaxo

(Reuters) - Human Genome Sciences Inc said on Thursday it adopted a stockholder rights plan as the biotechnology company defends itself against a $2.6 billion (1.6 billion pounds) hostile takeover bid by drug maker GlaxoSmithKline Plc . Human Genome said its board determined the $13-a-share bid by the British drug maker was inadequate and undervalued the company and it recommended stockholders not tender their shares. Glaxo, however, said it plans to proceed with its tender offer and restated its preference to complete the acquisition on a friendly basis. ...

Space Spiders and Wine: Weird Science Launching on Private Space Capsule

The first private spacecraft ever to launch toward the International Space Station will be carrying a host of student science experiments when it blasts off Saturday (May 19), including projects looking at spiders in space and how microgravity affects wine.

Scientists lift lid on turtle evolution

The turtle is a closer relative of crocodiles and birds than of lizards and snakes, according to researchers who claim to have solved an age-old riddle in animal evolution.

Science Fiction or Fact: Invisibility Cloaks Will One Day Exist

In this weekly series, Life's Little Mysteries scores the plausibility of popular science fiction concepts.

Scientists to Watch Historic Venus Transit of the Sun from Alaska

A NASA sun-watching spacecraft will have an unbeatable view of June's historic Venus transit, but some of the probe's scientists are taking measures to get a great look for themselves here on Earth, too.

More Than 8 Million Americans Sleepwalk, Surprising Scientists

Adult sleepwalkers are more common than previously realized, with upward of 8 million American adults prone to nighttime ambulation, a new study finds.

Science Fiction or Fact: Humanlike Intelligent Machines Will Soon Exist

In this weekly series, Life's Little Mysteries rates the plausibility of popular science fiction concepts.