The Stately Ruins Of A Methodist Church: Gary, Indiana, USA

This is the ruined interior of a Methodist Church and community meeting house in Gary, Indiana, after many years of abandonment and neglect. A fascinating series of photographs shows a classic American town being reclaimed by nature.

These were taken by photographer David Tribby, who has a sharp eye for images that turn decay into lovely transformation. Tribby has also collected these pictures and many more into a book called Gary Indiana: A City's Ruins. Or check out his photostream on Flickr.

http://io9.com/5430149/the-stately-ruins-of-a-methodist-church-gary-indiana-usa/gallery/

Dark Matter Found In Minnesota?

Has proof of the existence of Dark Matter been found? And, more strangely, has it been found in a mine in the middle of Minnesota, instead of deep space? The answer to both questions may turn out to be yes...

New Scientist reports that researchers involved in something called theCryogenic Dark Matter Search may have found dark matter particles in an abandoned iron mine in Northern Minnesota. Emphasis on the "may":

When the CDMS-II team looked at the analysis of their latest run – after accounting for all possible background particles and any faulty detectors in their stacks – they were in for a surprise. Their statistical models predicted that they would see 0.8 events during a run between 2007 and 2008, but instead they saw two.
The team is not claiming discovery of dark matter, because the result is not statistically significant. There is a 1-in-4 chance that it is merely due to fluctuations in the background noise. Had the experiment seen five events above the expected background, the claim for having detected dark matter would have been a lot stronger.

Unable to prove that it is or isn't evidence of dark matter, the team are working on creating equipment three times as sensitive to use in the same area next year.

Clearest sign yet of dark matter detected [New Scientist]

Discovery of 4.4-Million-Year-Old Hominid "Ardi" Is Greatest Scientific Breakthrough of 2009

Venerable journal Science has announced its top breakthroughs of 2009, and topping the list is a breakthrough in evolutionary biology. It's the discovery ofArdipithecus ramidus, a 4.4-million-year-old hominid skeleton that reveals how homo sapiens' ancient ancestors looked and lived.