France – Luc Chatel, Secretary of State for Industry, announced Monday a call for projects with a budget of 250 million euros to finance the development of vehicles decarbonation.The call for projects concerning electric and hybrid cars rechargeable like their equipment.250 million euros will be allocated in the form of soft loans limited to 50% of the investment and the total by the end of 2010.”These loans, at a time when it is very difficult to obtain finance on the market, can have a real impact and a real effective,” said Secretary of State for Industry. (more…)

Oregon, United States – After studying how birds move and breathe, a team of scientists says that they do not fall but not of the dinosaurs would have evolved independently.For decades, we know that the femur in the bird is nearly frozen, preventing these animals from running easily.But researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered that the bones also maintains their lungs, allowing them to breathe in the air. All other animals have walked on Earth, including humans, elephants, lizards and dinosaurs theropods (family, which includes the T-Rex) have a femur free of any movement.The discovery could force paleontologists to reconsider their belief that modern birds are direct descendants of old carnivorous dinosaurs. (more…)

Lyon, France – At the 48th Salon du Bourget aerospace, students from INSA Lyon prepare to unveil the first airship powered by solar energy.
This summer he will conduct its first manned flight, over the Channel.
A collaboration of about thirty students from large schools such as technical schools, the solar airship named Nephelios show will be presented to the Air Show to be held from 15 to 21 June. (more…)

Indonesia, Red Sea – Five new species of pygmy seahorses newly discovered in the Red Sea and Indonesia. All are less than 2.5 inches, dimensions that make them among the smallest known species of the genus. These new species of seahorses, as described in studies dated December 2008 and January 2009, are the first discovered since the last five years. (more…)