Scientists say ancient Martian rock was full of water

An examination of the Martian meteorite known as NWA 7034 determined it is 2.1 billion years old and is water-rich. …A 2 billion year old Martian rock appears to have at one time been full of water from the surface of the Red Planet.

"Here we have a piece of Mars that I can hold in my hands. That's really exciting," Carl Agee, director of the Institute of Meteoritics and curator at the University of New Mexico, told the Associated Press.

Agee led a team of scientists who published their report on the newly discovered meteorite, nicknamed Black Beauty, in the journal Science. The rock is estimated to have contained 6,000 parts per million water, and scientists believe it likely interacted with water at a time when most of the planet’s surface was believed to have been arid.

The baseball-size rock was discovered in the Sahara, and scientists say it contains more evidence of water than any of the other known Martian rock samples.

"It's fairly fresh. It hasn't been subjected to a whole lot of weathering," University of Alberta meteorite expert Chris Herd told the AP.

Billions of years ago, an eruption on the surface of Mars, likely caused by a volcano or asteroid collision, sent the rock into space, where it eventually made the journey to Earth. Agee and his team said the sample is “strikingly similar to the volcanic rocks examined by the NASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity on the Martian surface.”

Over the years, scientists have collected more than 60 Martian rock samples, with most being discovered in the Sahara and Antarctica. The new sample is much older than most of the other specimens, which are about 600 million years old or younger. The oldest known sample is an estimated 4.5 billion years old.

A private owner donated the Black Beauty finding to the University of New Mexico.

What to look for in technology in 2013: Talk Gets Cheaper, TV Gets Smarter

Personal technology never stops changing. Some new products and services are game changers, like Apple's (AAPL) iPhone and iPad. Others are clever twists or refinements, like each successive version of Google's (GOOG) Android platform, which gets better and better. Others are bold gambles, like Microsoft's (MSFT) new Windows 8, which hopes to combine both a tablet experience and a traditional PC environment in one operating system. But there's always something new, from large companies and small ones.
So here are a few things consumers will likely see in technology in 2013. Many of these began to take shape in the past year, but will be stronger trends in the new year.
Tablets vs. PCs
While the iPad line, including the new Mini, continues to dominate the tablet market, Android-based tablets are finally gaining traction. But the bigger story is that tablets will continue to erode the role of laptop PCs.
Consumers are using tablets for more and more tasks formerly performed by laptops. Traditional computers aren't going away—they still do certain tasks, like heavy content creation, better than tablets. But consumers seem, at the very least, to be replacing their laptops less often and spending discretionary funds on tablets, which are gradually replacing another device: the dedicated e-reader. Many analysts had expected Windows 8 to halt or reverse this trend, and it may yet do so. But early indications aren't encouraging.
Integrating Hardware and Software
Meanwhile, another big trend is emerging: Apple's model of one company making the entire device—hardware, operating system, core apps and an online ecosystem—is beginning to take hold elsewhere. In October, Microsoft unveiled its first computer, the Surface tablet. The company will follow it up as soon as this month with a second, more powerful version. I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft also made its own smartphone this year.
Google is also moving in Apple's direction. It now sells three devices—a smartphone and two tablets—under its Nexus brand. These products are built by partner companies, but designed by Google. Now that Google owns its own hardware company, Motorola Mobility, I expect it to get deeper into the integrated model. Motorola (MSI), freshly stocked with former Google executives, is reported to be building advanced new hardware devices tightly integrated with Android.
Rethinking Television
Samsung and others already make TVs that can connect to the Internet, and stream Internet video and run tablet-type apps, without any special set-top box. But I find them clumsy, and their "smart TV" functions haven't taken off with consumers yet. This may be the year they do.
The biggest expectation is that Apple, which has been working hard on the problem, will finally unveil its long-rumored TV this year, with the goal of greatly simplifying the TV and smoothly melding Internet and cable content. Many, including me, thought it might appear in 2012, but the company reportedly ran into difficulties in negotiating with media companies for content rights. Meanwhile, Apple's tiny, $99 Apple TV box, while still a relatively small seller, is gaining popularity, partly because the company has built into its laptops, tablets and phones a feature called AirPlay which can use an Apple TV box to wirelessly stream audio and video to a TV.
Cheaper Smartphones and Plans

Republic Wireless offers the Defy XT with a $19 unlimited plan. (Republic Wireless)Smartphones are everywhere in the developed world, but most are still expensive—around $200 after a carrier subsidy that requires a two-year contract. And the monthly service fees can easily approach or exceed $100, especially if you use a lot of data, which is the very essence of a smartphone's purpose.

There are already some smartphones, usually older, less capable or less popular models, available for $99 or $49 or even free with a contract. But I expect to see better smartphones at lower prices in 2013, especially those running the dominant Android platform, and the handsome, but low-selling Windows Phone platform from Microsoft.
In addition, some companies are beginning to offer really cheap monthly plans. One example: Republic Wireless, which offers unlimited voice, text and data for $19 a month on a small, Android phone, the Motorola Defy XT, using older software that has been modified to make voice calls where possible over Wi-Fi instead of a costlier carrier network.
Costlier, Better Music Players

Audiophiles and recording artists have never much liked the compressed music files that now fill every iPod and The $700 Astell & Kern AK100 plays much higher fidelity digital music. (Astell & Kern)smartphone. They complain that the richness of the original recording is lost because the song files are optimized for minimum space and download time, and because they are often made from CDs, not from the master studio tapes.

So in 2013, there will be a push to sell a new kind of portable music player that can handle high quality music. The Korean electronics company, iRiver, has introduced the Astell & Kern AK100, a $700 player that can play much higher fidelity digital music. The legendary rocker Neil Young is backing a second venture, Pono, which is doing something similar. In addition to the price, there's another downside: The files can be 10 to 20 times as large as standard digital songs, so many fewer tracks fit in a given amount of memory.
Fitness and Health Monitors

The Basis measures resting heart rate. (BASIS Science, Inc.)In 2012, sensor-packed wristbands like the Nike+ FuelBand and the Jawbone Up were introduced to measure how many steps people take in a day, how well they sleep, and other indicators of health and fitness. I expect this trend to continue in 2013, in different forms and with more sophisticated sensors. One new product, the Basis, is a watch with sensors on the back that measures resting heart rate. All of these devices tie into mobile apps or Web-based dashboards to track progress and offer advice.
Internet-Controlled Everything

Another trend I expect to see in 2013 is an expansion of apps and devices that let people wirelessly control many everyday objects, from light bulbs to appliances, using low-powered networks and smartphones or tablets. And we'll likely see more smart devices with such intelligence built in, similar to the Nest intelligent thermostat, which is Wi-Fi powered.
These are just a few of the trends likely to mark the consumer tech landscape in 2013. Others will also be prominent, most notably the continued reliance on the cloud, or remote servers, to store content and work collaboratively. One thing is sure: There are certain to be developments that will surprise us all, and can't be forecast here.

Best shampoo brands from the drugstore

Get smooth, silky hair with these inexpensive finds, available at your local drugstore.

Aveeno Nourish + Shine Shampoo
Lather up with natural, effective ingredients: Wheat complex replenishes moisture, while palm extract perks up any dullness.
To buy: $7 at drugstores.
L’Oréal EverStrong Hydrate Shampoo
Avoid stripping your hair’s essential oils with a sulfate-free rosemary-infused formula that’s made with botanical extracts to moisturize and nourish.
To buy: $7 at drugstores.

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Shine Release Moisturizing Shampoo
Attention, natural or color-treated brunettes: This formula, enriched with vitamins and sweet almond oil, will keep your shade bright and shiny. Are you a blonde or a redhead? John Frieda makes shampoos specifically for you, too.
To buy: $7 at drugstores.
Avalon Organics Thickening Shampoo
Get fuller, thicker strands with a biotin-infused cleanser that promises not just to give an instant volume boost but to strengthen brittle strands and stimulate hair growth—ideal for thinning locks.
To buy: $10 at drugstores.
Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Nourishing Shampoo
If you have longer hair that’s prone to breakage, this cocktail of vitamin C, sunflower oil, and coconut oil is the perfect remedy. Made to fortify your hair, it nourishes the scalp, too.
To buy: $5 at drugstores.
Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo
The ultimate flake reducer: a classic that’s gentle on your hair, less so on dandruff, relieving dryness and helping to prevent future irritations. The new green apple scent is refreshing.
To buy: $8.50 at drugstores for 23.7 oz.

Five Degrees to Help Shy People Shine

If you have a personality type that's a bit on the timid side, consider these degree programs that could help you break out of your shell.

With its crowded classrooms and endless class participation, college might give a shy person reason for concern. But more importantly, shyness might also affect how someone decides which degree to undertake.
"A lot of times, they will choose degrees where they don't have too much interpersonal communication, interaction, or speaking," says University of Nevada-Las Vegas Career Counselor Lauren Johnson. For example, "[degrees in the] sciences are ones where they might not have to deal with people as much."
If shy people want to break out of their shells, however, they should probably pick degree programs that will counteract their bashfulness. But how will they know which ones to pick if they're too shy to ask?
Not to worry. Here are five degree programs that could help shy people shed their timid ways - no questions asked.

Degree #1: Communications

Are you a shy person who craves the right opportunity to let your voice be heard? If so, earning a bachelor's degree in communications might help you express what's on your mind.
Goodbye to Shy: Studying a bachelor's degree in communications "might be one of the best degrees for shy people because you have to talk," says Johnson.
In a communications program, shy people might be required to frequently engage in group-based projects, says Johnson. If they warm-up to group settings, shy people could advance to giving speeches and oral reports as part of class exercises, which ideally would help them come out of their shells.
Click to Find the Right Communications Program Now.
More About the Degree: A bachelor's program in communications might expose students to the various ways people share information with each other - including through television and the Internet - according to the College Board, the educational organization that conducts the SAT exam. Courses might cover the dynamics of group communication, writing, and research methods.
Potential Careers and Median Annual Salaries:*
Reporter and correspondent: $34,870
Editor: $52,380
Technical writer: $64,610

Degree #2: Business Administration

What can a shy person with corporate aspirations do to offset a timid nature? How about earning a bachelor's degree in business administration?
Goodbye to Shy: You've probably heard there's no "I" in "team," but when studying business administration, there's also no "shy" in "team." Johnson notes that shy students in a business administration program can expect to participate in team-oriented projects that replicate real-world business practices.
For shy types looking to get better at interpersonal relationships, studying business administration at the bachelor's level could help them understand how to interact with others productively, Johnson adds. "You'll learn how to manage personalities and find out what kind of personalities you get along with," he says.
Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program Now.
More About the Degree: In a business administration and management program, students could learn how to organize and direct a company's activities while honing leadership skills, according to the College Board. Accounting, marketing, economics, and business ethics and law are among the courses commonly taken by students in this program.
Potential Careers and Median Annual Salaries:*
Financial manager: $107,160
Market research analyst: $60,250
Human resources manager: $99,130

Degree #3: Criminal Justice

Could a shy person ever shield others from harm or danger? Without the right training, not likely. But a bachelor's degree in criminal justice could teach shy people how to defend and protect others in need.
Goodbye to Shy: As a criminal justice major, a shy person might find an opportunity to express their concerns for public safety, says Johnson.
Subject areas that could help stimulate a shy person's talkative side include studying the psychology of the criminal mind and evaluating prison systems, according to Johnson.
"They might have to do projects involving research on prison systems, centralized versus decentralized or American versus European prison systems," Johnson says. "The projects might have them do a presentation on those subjects, so they would have to talk."
Click to Find the Right Criminal Justice Program Now.
More About the Degree: The College Board says criminal justice majors generally study different aspects of crime, the law, and the justice system. They also might focus on the way law enforcement agencies work.
Common courses taken in the program, according to the College Board, might include statistics, criminology, juvenile justice, and policing society.
Potential Careers and Median Annual Salaries:*
Probation officer or correctional treatment specialist: $47,840
Police officer:  $54,230

Degree #4: Medical Assisting

Do you obsess over TV medical dramas at home, but find yourself clamming up in a real doctor's office? Maybe you  should consider studying medical assisting, where you'll have a nice introduction into the world of medicine.
Goodbye to Shy: During a medial assisting program, a shy person might need to shelve timid behavior in order to learn how to communicate face-to-face with patients.
"It's going to help them get out of their shyness because they have to ask patients questions and bring things up with the doctor," Johnson says.
A medical assisting program would be ideal for shy people because it would force them to zero in on the nuances of human interaction. A valuable skill a shy person might develop during the program, according to Johnson, is interpreting a patient?s body language.
Click to Find the Right Medical Assisting Program Now.
More About the Degree: During a certificate or associate's degree program in this major, a student might learn about the administrative and clinical tasks for assisting doctors, according to the College Board.
Common courses taken in this program might include diagnostic procedures, medical terminology, and diseases of the human body, according to the College Board.
Potential Career and Median Annual Salary:*
Medical assistant: $29,100

Degree #5: Public Relations

As a shy person, are you tired of being talked at and would rather do more of the talking yourself? Studying a bachelor's program in public relations could help you develop skills as a sounding board for others.
Goodbye to Shy: There is a reason this major isn't called private relations. A public relations program teaches students how to deal with people and organizations in a highly visible manner.
And being visible means being prepared to shed your timid side during this program, says Johnson.
Just how much shedding? "You practice talking to people a lot, whether it's marketing classes or doing group projects," says Johnson. "You're going to be held accountable by professors if you have to do a presentation, be interactive, or work as a team player."
Click to Find the Right Public Relations Program Now.
More About the Degree: Public relations majors might learn how to develop a media campaign, practice writing press releases, and study image management, according to the College Board. Common courses include principles of advertising and speech writing.
Furthermore, adds Johnson, a bachelor's degree program in public relations can also teach students how to represent clients and organizations who want to publicize their brands.

10 hardest cars to find for 2013

A few years ago, Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota Motor and grandson of the company’s founder, lamented that there was no passion in Toyota’s vehicle lineup. He vowed to make cars that people would lust after and that would be fun to drive.
It appears he succeeded with the Scion FR-S, a nimble, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe that is flying out of Toyota showrooms. Introduced in June with a sticker price of $25,255, the FR-S (and its virtual twin, the Subaru BRZ) is an affordable sports car that has proven especially popular with young, college-educated men. “The demand has been terrific,” according to Toyota spokesman Greg Thome, who says Scion expects to sell about 11,000 this year.
The problem is that supply is limited. Dealers can barely keep it in stock, selling each one within an average of just 15 days of its arrival in the showroom. Most cars are in dealer inventory for about two months before they are sold. Subaru, which manufactures both cars in Japan, is facing the same problem. The BR-Z is selling in an average of 18 days. The companies haven’t announced any plans to increase production, which means they’ll likely remain hard to get in 2013.
They’re not the only cars in short supply these days. Ford Motor‘s new C-Max hybrid is also a hot-seller, spending an average of just 17 days on dealer lots. Ford says fuel economy is now the top purchase consideration for car buyers and that customers are excited about having an alternative to the top-selling Toyota Prius hybrid. Ford has promoted the C-Max as a hybrid that doesn’t sacrifice driving fun, performance and technology.
Forbes checked with automotive researcher Edmunds.com to find out which cars are the most scarce  this season. Edmunds.com tracks average days to turn, which is the average number of days vehicles were in dealer inventory before a customer drives them away.

 
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 comes with a higher price tag, $55,000, but buyers are eager to get 100 more horsepower. Average days on the lot: 11.
 
Ford Fusion
Ford Fusion hybrid is slowly making its way to dealer showrooms, and buyers are scooping them up quickly. Average days in inventory: 11.
 
Mercedes Benz G-class
Mercedes Benz G-class is a low-volume seller, so dealers don't keep many on hand. Average days to turn: 14
 
Kia Soul
Kia Soul, which sells for around $15,000, is proving to be a quick seller. Dealers have them in stock for an average of just 15 days.

 
Scion FR-S
Scion FR-S is a fun-to-drive sports car that is flying out of showrooms at $25,000. Average time on the lot is just 15 days.
 
Hyundai Genesis coupe
Hyundai Genesis coupe was updated for 2013, with 30 percent more horsepower and better driving dynamics. Consumers are snapping up the new version. Average days to turn: 15.
 
BMW M6 coupe
BMW M6 coupe is the high-performance version of the 6-series. BMW stopped making it for a couple of years, and now that it's back, it's in short supply. Average days in inventory: 17.   
 
Ford C-Max hybrid
Ford C-Max hybrid is one of the fastest-selling cars on the market. Ford says hybrids are beginning to catch on. The C-Max spends an average of just 17 days on dealer lots.
 
Mercedes Benz M-class
Mercedes Benz M-class features enhanced safety and telematics features for 2013. Consumers are buying them within 18 days of arriving in showrooms.
 
Subaru BR-Z
Subaru BR-Z, co-developed with the Scion FR-S, offers driving excitement at an affordable price. Dealers can't keep them in stock. Average days to turn: 18.