"The International Space Station will have ultra-sensitive clocks on board, and it is a good place to test the theory," said Dr. Alan Kostelecky, professor of physics at Indiana University, Bloomington. "By comparing extremely precise clocks that can operate under zero gravity, minuscule changes in the ticking rate might be found as the spacecraft moves around Earth." This would violate Einsteins theory, which says there should be no change if different clocks in the same gravity environment are compared. "Finding such changes would cause an upheaval in the science community and revolutionize our thinking about the fundamental structure of space and time," he added. "It would lead to insight about how our universe formed and how nature operates."http://www.cosmiverse.com/news/space/space05310204.html
The origin of life. The beginning and end of the universe. The workings of the brain. These are the big questions, the ones scientists and nonscientists alike love to ponder and that give deeper meaning to our quest for knowledge. John Maddox, former longtime editor of Nature, has endeavored to outline our progress, and, more importantly, our goals in these and other fields of study. What Remains to Be Discovered details the past, present, and possible future of science in three sections: "Matter," "Life," and "Our World." The authors broad, multidisciplinary grasp of science is apparent as he guides us effortlessly through the work of scientists from ancient times to the present. Having first shown us an up-to-date map of scientific knowledge, he then emphasizes the large blank spaces still remaining and suggests where explorers might best continue their efforts. From natural selection to the luminiferous ether, each question answered has provoked many, often more difficult, challenges for a new generation of researchers. Maddox hints at what our future textbooks will say, but is also careful to remind us that the history of science is full of surprises. Well do well to remember that as we enter the 21st century.
