Those recent reports of multiple earthquakes in the Midwest may be the result of industry.  According to the United States Geological Survey, the increase in the production of oil and gas may be the cause of all those newly felt tremors in the area.  So far, all quakes are below magnitude 6.0, though the sheer number of quakes is on the rise over the past few years.  The quakes do range from barely noticeable to well, barely noticeable.  It might be possible that freshly lubricated ground may be easier to shake.

People are sensing this ground disturbance in a manner ranging from entertaining to borderline annoying.  The existence of the quakes is not really in question.  The cause is still under investigation.  Time will offer a more detailed answer of what is the origin of the excessive vibration.

[ images via: Washington Post, KCRG ]

The Kepler space program has been scheduled to continue for another four years.  This is quite a successful space program.  Kepler is in the business of locating planets around the universe.  You guessed how well it is performing.  Business is doing great!  NASA is touting the planet-locating mission’s success by going one step further and proclaiming advanced success.  They are also suggesting that a planet will be discovered that is Earth-like in nature within the next two years.  A planet like our own little blue marble to be found can really only be discovered by Kepler.  It is such an advancement and testament to how exceptional this technology really displays its ingenuity.

Good work NASA in continuing a successful program.  Congratulations to those working with Kepler.  You truly have created and maintained a great piece of machinery that will serve to advance our civilization for years to come.  I look forward to news of of the discovery of alien planets like our own.

[ images via: Space, Slash Gear ]

As it turns out, the earth has more than one moon.  The bumpy sphere in the sky is pulled by the gravity of our little planet.  This is the case for many other universal orbiters.  There are many upon many objects floating, soaring, and swaying along in our solar system.  To think that the moon is the only object is a sham created by the moon people oh so many, well moons ago.  This is not really a lie started by moon people.  It is simply that the moon is the easiest object to see up in the sky.  There are other tiny moons enjoying their own journey around Earth.

This is a fun and not too startling notion about our universe.  Sure, there are many moons out there, but shouldn’t we have expected there to be such activity.  I suppose it is comforting to know that such a suggestion of these rocks exists.

[ images via: How Stuff Works, UPI ]

Former Alaska governor and rogue maverick, Sarah Palin exercises her morning talk show abilities when she took on the role of guest host Tuesday, this week on the Today Show.  The hockey mom from Wasilla made her daytime debut at 30 Rock with excitement amongst mounting advertising fanfare.  Generally, the reviews are positive in their description of what could very well have been a very nervous moment for Mrs. Palin on live TV.  It did look like she tried to have fun and appear as an upbeat addition for the morning program.  At one time, she combed through newspapers scattered over the couch in a tongue in cheek symbol of being overwhelmed by media.

Appearing on the Today Show was not something Sarah Palin needed to do.  She did it anyway, despite potential scrutiny or calls of hypocrisy.  In the past, she has been known to refer it as to lame-stream media, in the next moment, she becomes part of it.  She has managed to show a much sunnier side to her character.

[ images via: TIME, The Guardian ]

The memorable Apple CEO Steve Jobs will be characterized in film once again.  This time, Jobs will be played by Ashton Kutcher, who has reportedly agreed to play the venerable techno tycoon.  You might remember that Steve Jobs had been alive the last time he was featured back in 1999’s “Pirates of Silicon Valley” by the twenty-something Noah Wyle.  This film will probably embark on a bulk of Jobs’ life, young to old.

Apparently this movie shows the hippie-era in Jobs’ life.  Maybe television producers eyed the long-haired Kutcher when it came time to consider casting That 70s Show character.  Mr. Kutcher will probably be up to the task of acting like the computing innovator.  Steve Jobs kept a private life, but did make those presentations that may be the right bit of film of which to learn his mannerisms.

[ images via: The Blemish, Rolling Stone ]

When a logo or mascot is that of a man or woman, it might be paramount to adjust or reinvent that person to accommodate the changing times and changing consumer.  This unofficial rule holds true for that for the memorable mascot that is the Quaker Oats man.  You recognize that hat atop the round face and shoulder-length, snowy-white hair.  They call this character Larry, apparently.  That is, Larry the Quaker Oats guy.  Larry has been given a bit of a makeover so as not to change him too much, but to bring him a little more up to date.

We consumers tend to be creatures of habit.  We simply cannot accept overly drastic changes.  It appears that the artists over at Quaker Oats have done a fine job at presenting a perceived slimmer mascot without completely overhauling his look.  Good display of talent there.  We understand this is a brand that is over a century old.  Thanks for not shocking us with Larry, the man of the future.

[ images via: The Wall Street Journal ]

Perhaps you have just misplaced the keys to your home or car.  Maybe the remote controller is gone and you find yourself searching high and low for something that you insist must have been stolen.  Searching for missing items around your home may take time.  It is nothing compared to the mammoth task of picking up a hidden piece of a spacecraft.

The Apollo 11 spacecraft of NASA’s space program made history in the summer of 1969 when it soared to the moon.  Along its way, it dropped its engines in pursuit of space.  Those engines plummeted as expected into the blue Atlantic Ocean some four decades ago.  They have just been sitting there all this time, from then until now, just relaxing among the salty brine of the depths of the ocean waiting to be found.

It has been reported that the Apollo 11 engines have been discovered thanks to the founder of the familiar website, Amazon.com.  This person is billionaire extraordinaire Jeff Besoz.  Inspired by science at an early age, Bezos was determined to locate this piece of history.  The news was shared through his blog about the watery operation.  Mr. Bezos proclaims of himself and this deep-sea team that “we’re making plans to attempt to raise” the freshly located sunken treasure.  Through the use of sophisticated technology including sonar, it will take a great deal of tenacity to retrieve the prize at 14,000 feet down.  With brains and a little luck, they will surely accomplish this magnificent task.

The adventures of the ultra-rich like Bezos show their aptitude for success and yearning for specified entertainment.  Fellow well-to-do journeyman Richard Branson likes to keep himself busy with his own adrenaline-activating fun.  This latest underwater feat combines the result of one generation’s display of scientific ingenuity accompanied with this generation’s technological necessity to go and get it.  Good work Mr. Bezos!  The world awaits your further triumph.

[ images via: Free ppt, Wired, ABC News, 1A Locksmiths,  How Stuff Works ]

A new study has revealed that the more processed or fast ready-to-eat food that you consume, the more you might feel sad.  That is according to research on over eight thousand individuals who have never been clinically depressed.  The ones that developed depression noted their pension for the fast fare.  The more unhealthy your food, the worse your mood may become.

You can always decide that you will not eat at a fast food restaurant if you are concerned with your own reaction to what this study suggests.  There is always healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables to put on your table.  You will feel healthier and you just may be happier.  Here’s to your health and your general sense of well-being.

[ images via: Naturally Good Food, Every Other Day Diet ]

It is no secret that bugs love plants.  It is because of this fact that scientists develop methods for repelling those insects away from plants we like.  Just over a decade ago, scientists developed a pesticide made of something called neonicotinoids in order to continue winning the battle of man versus nature.  After studying the effects of this pesticide on bees, it was discovered that it might be rather harmful to their sense of place.  The neonicotinoids were applied to bees and they increased their chances of getting lost.  This may be one of the factors leading to the problem known as colony collapse disorder.  The bees cannot find their way home back to their hive.  Hence, the colony loses its members.  This loss could result in no colony, no pollinators, and no honey.

The loss of honey bees is becoming a serious issue.  Scientists truly are working diligently to find the reason for such a buzz kill.  One reason may be the bee in its emotional way of behaving.  We can sure hope that the reason is discovered and the correct steps are taken to alter the direction.  This would be good for the bees and for the taste buds of honey-lovers everywhere around the world.

[ images via: The Economist, CBS News ]

Those under-roasted coffee beans may have a little trick hidden inside their pale, emerald exterior.  A small study on overweight people was conducted giving them green coffee bean extract.  You can probably guess what happened.  I am not sure if this kept them awake at night, but on average they lost about a dozen and a half pounds in just under half a year.  Not too bad if that is the magic that aided the weight loss.  The study was on display at the American Chemical Society in San Diego.  If this does not sound robust, I don’t know what does… other than maybe something else that is also robust like robust coffee.

Coffee beans sure are a helpful little thing.  The roasted ones wake you up and the unroasted ones slim you down.  There is still no word on magic beans leading to a goose who lays golden eggs.  That just sounds weird.

[ images via: Coffee Beans, Tazas Cafe ]