December 2007 in science

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Events in science and technology

December 21,2007

• An asteroid, designated 2007 WD5, is discovered to have a 1-in-75 chance to impact the planet Mars. Future updates to the observed orbit are expected to change these odds over the next weeks. (Times)

December 11,2007

• The protein-protein interaction between mutated Ras and Raf has been shown to prevent a cell from turning one switch off, leading to the uncontrolled cell growth of cancer. (PhysOrg)
• Researchers found that computer programs commonly used to scan DNA missed 29 to 61 percent of regulatory DNA. (ScienceDaily)
• Physicists complete the first quantum calculation – finding the prime factors of 15 – as a proof of concept to show if more complicated quantum computers are made cryptography based on large primes would be vulnerable. (PhysOrg)

December 9,2007

• After another try to launch Space Shuttle Atlantis is scrubbed due to persistent problems with fuel sensors, NASA decides to reschedule STS-122 for January 2008. (Reuters)

December 7,2007

• The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis is delayed due to faulty sensor in the external tank. (BBCNews)
• A study on Chikungunya published in Public Library of Science journal PLoS Pathogens reports a mutation that allows the virus to spread to new regions via the Aedes albopictus mosquito. (Reuters)

December 5,2007

• The NRU reactor at the Chalk River Laboratories, Canada, is shutdown for a longer period than expected, resulting in the loss of about 2/3 of the world's production capacity for medical radioisotopes. (CCTV) (Reuters)