Weekend Links

• FBI Use of Patriot Act Authority Increased Dramatically in 2008 – Warrants? We don't need no steenkin' warrants. Oh, and have a life-time gag order … because nothing says democracy like a lifetime of legally compelled silence.
• FTC nukes "extended warranty" robocallers from orbit – Couldn't happen to nicer people.
• "Air fuelled" battery tech invented in Scotland
• Elderly Who Forget Age Remember Better – If you aren't thinking that your brain is running down, it's a lot less likely to act run down.
• Antioxidants prevent health-promoting effects of physical exercise in humans – Now they tell me?
• "Junk" DNA Has Important Role, Researchers Find
• Origin of life: building an RNA world from simple chemicals
• Mockingbirds quickly recognize repeat human intruders – Hassling people takes a lot of energy, so mockingbirds make sure they only hassle the people that they already know are troublemakers.
• DARPA to try out goose v-formation trick with jets
• Hypersonic 'WaveRider' Poised for Test Flight – Try that you darn geese.
• Into the Blue – Testing Orion recovery amid nine foot waves in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Kepler spacecraft begins its search for habitable worlds
• Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to peer into history
• NASA Details Plans for Lunar Exploration Robotic Missions
• Weird New NASA Rovers Really Get Around – Most of NASA's ideas never get a chance to fly, but it's interesting to see what the boffins are up to. (For some intriguing past examples take a look at JPL's Inflatable Rover Program.)