April 2005 in Science - April 7, 2005

April 7, 2005

• Sony has patented an idea of transmitting data directly to the brain. (PhysOrg)
• The space shuttle Discovery is rolled onto its launch platform, in time for a launch in May for the first launch of shuttle since January 2003. A crack was found in the fuel tank's foam insulation, however NASA officials say that it will not prevent the mission. (BBC)
• Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder have created a new model of the Earth's early atmosphere. The model indicates up to 40 percent of the early atmosphere was hydrogen, under these high-hydrogen conditions the formation of organic compounds like amino acids, and ultimately life are more likely. (EurekAlert!)
• The IUCN announced that one in four-of the 625 primate species and subspecies are at risk of extinction. (EurekAlert!)