California researchers

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside say one of Saturn's moons may hold clues about the possibility of life beyond Earth. The finding adds to growing scientific interest in the moons of Saturn, which are considered promising targets in the search for extraterrestrial life because of their subsurface oceans and complex chemistry.

California voters are being shown where the candidates for state superintendent of public instruction stand on major education issues. A comparison of the contenders' positions is drawing attention as the race gives voters a direct say over the direction of the state's public school system, covering topics at the center of education policy debates.

Researchers collected samples from a hot stream in California's Lassen Volcanic National Park using barbecue tongs, then raised the temperature on an amoeba in Syracuse University labs from 57°C to 60°C. At 63°C the organism was still dividing, raising questions about how its intricate cellular machinery keeps functioning under such heat. The findings shed light on the limits of life at high temperatures.

Researchers at Cal State Fullerton are collecting and analyzing soil samples in Ladera Ranch, an Orange County community, to check for possible contamination. The work, reported by Southern California outlets, has drawn local attention as residents wait to learn whether any hazardous substances are present in the ground and what the findings could mean for the neighborhood.