Search results for

Maclura pomifera, commonly known as the Osage orange, is a small deciduous tree or large shrub, native to the south-central United States. It typically grows about 8 to 15 metres (30–50 ft) tall. The distinctive fruit, a multiple fruit, is roughly spherical, bumpy, 8 to 15 centimetres (3–6 in) in diameter, and turns bright yellow-green in the fall. The fruits secrete a sticky white latex when cut or damaged. Despite the name "Osage orange", it is not related to the orange.

Notonectidae is a cosmopolitan family of aquatic insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly called backswimmers because they swim "upside down" (inverted). They are all predators and typically range from 0.5 to 1.5 cm (0.2–0.6 in) in length. They are similar in appearance to Corixidae (water boatmen), but can be separated by differences in their dorsal-ventral coloration, front legs, and predatory behavior. Backswimmers swim on their backs, vigorously paddling with their long, hair-fringed hind legs and attack prey as large as tadpoles and small fish. They can inflict a painful "bite" on a human being, actually a stab with their sharp tubular mouthparts (proboscis).

The National Archives was due to deliver a first tranche of documents to the Democratic-led House panel on Friday.

Four shelter dogs were trained to fetch errant shots during an exhibition match. The idea was to promote pet adoption. The dogs were great at retrieving the balls. Giving them back — not so much.

The Ohio folk-rock band matches fatalistic, ruminative rambles to arrangements that sparkle and surprise.

The U.S. soccer team fought its way to a 1-1 tie against Italy on Saturday in its second World Cup game. The game was critical for the United States, which took a devastating loss in its opening match last week. Even though the Americans didn't win against Italy, the draw is enough to keep the U.S. team in the tournament.

The upcoming FIFA World Cup soccer tournament will feature the best teams the world has to offer -- and arguable the most devoted fans of any global sporting event. The quadrennial tournament's championship game will be played in Berlin on July 9.

Smithsonian Magazine reported last month on the success of a robot named Curly and its exhibition match against South Korean curlers. Curly won three of four games against its human competition.

The legal match between lawyers for the two presidential candidates continued today in the Leon County Circuit Court in Tallahassee, Florida. Vice President Gore is challenging the state's certification of Texas Governor George W. Bush as the winner of its crucial Electoral College votes. The next hearing on the issues in that case is scheduled for Saturday, but today both teams of lawyers were in a Leon County courtroom anyway, arguing over how many ballots ought to be brought from South Florida to Tallahassee for safekeeping and possible recounting. The judge sided with Bush attorneys who asked for a larger number of ballots to be brought up to the state capitol, not just the 14-thousand disputed ballots requested by the Gore legal team. NPR's Steve Inskeep has the news from the courthouse.

A 17-year-old high school senior beats three different versions of artificial arms in an international robotic arm-wrestling competition. The match was a test of technology aimed at developing artificial muscles.