More crap reporting

The standard of science reporting in Australia is generally crap. Although it shouldn't surprise me since the average Ozcah and Mersaydees has very little science knowledge. Not only that, critical thinking is alien to most; Exhibit A: Powerband bracelets. Just look at the number of footballers who wear this piece of crap. Thomas, Pendlebury, Cloke, and O'Brien just to name a few. Note to Harry O'Brien - it's dangerous when those that think they are intelligent are, in fact, not. These guys would fall for Jedi mind tricks. (I know, I know, but if you believe in it, it must be true. Plus I don't think it would be hard to convince footballers.)

Look at this headline for instance:
NASA discovers brand new force of nature
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

This is not what NASA has said. Basically what they are saying is that they can't think of why the Pioneer anomaly exists. The Pioneer anomaly was first observed back in the 80's. John Anderson found that there was an extremely small acceleration on the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes that wasn't accounted for. Now this effect is really, really tiny. Some of this acceleration was explained by considering the uneven heat distribution around the probe. But basically we don't know what is causing this acceleration.

What NASA is saying is that MAYBE there is a new force that MAY be causing this anomaly. Notice the use of the word MAY. For those writing headlines, look that word up in the dictionary and don't make shit up.

Another thing ninemsn.com.au, this is filed under your technology section. Rename it. This is not technology. It's, if properly reported, science. Again check your dictionary for the meaning of those two words.