Israeli scientists have managed to simulate ‘ball lightning’ under laboratory conditions, which should hopefully provide some ideas as to how the stuff forms in nature.

NASA, beleaguered by shrinking budgets, is seeking to work in partnership with other nations and businesses to further space research and exploration projects. [NewScientistSpace]

UK scientists are spouting with joy at the arrival in Britain of the first samples from the Stardust probe, which are being distibuted around the world for analysis by experts. The science world has high hopes that the samples will unlock some of the great mysteries concerning life on Earth, and indeed elsewhere. [BBC]

For everyone who’s been waiting to see a slightly less blue-sky application for carbon nanotubes, here is the news: composite materials doped with the ‘tubes are better at absorbing vibrational energy, especially at high temperatures. So, useful in space-tech, but could also stop your speakers buzzing and take the sting out of your duff golf swing. [EurekAlert!]

The opportunities for making a (real world) living out of (virtual) jobs in the alternate reality world ‘Second Life’ are allowing canny entrepreneurs to give up their day jobs and shift their careers completely out of meatspace. [Wired.com]