Cloak of Silence Unveiled - Invisibility Next?

A couple of days ago, the BBC World News reported that scientists have unveiled the physics behind auditory cloaking. That is, the science necessary to make objects impervious to sound waves. This story got very little coverage, but is quite important in the world of science. As the article asks: if one can cloak sound waves, can light waves and invisibilty be far behind? Find out the answer; and the potential applications of this new breakthrough, read the article here.

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Obit: Mr. Wizard Dies

I learned today of the death of an individual who, more than any American I can think of with the possible exception of Ben Franklin, was responsible for stimulating our interest in science.

The Los Angeles Times today runs the obituary for Don Herbert, known to an entire generation as Mr. Wizard. His famous television program, Watch Mr. Wizard, helped an army of future scientists discover the wonder of the real world and scientific investigation. Today, with science and intellectual thought under assault from the religious right, it is appropriate to take a minute and celebrate the life of this modest man of learning.