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.

Improving greatly upon current technology, scientists have developed a new version of the cochlear implant that allows some deaf patients to regain partial hearing. The major improvements are in ease of implantation and the quality of the sound reproduction, the latter of which is a real big deal since the older model implant makes just about everything sound like the torturebot from Star Wars: A New Hope.

An obvious but easily overlooked side effect of the massive increase in surveillance from the Bush administration is a corresponding increase in the costs to carriers of supporting that surveillance.

Drug dealers in Colombia pretty much redefined the definition of heinous by smuggling liquid heroin inside puppies.

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