Topic: University of Colorado

James Holmes in court Monday: What will his defense be?

James Holmes in court: Next Monday, defense attorney's for the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting suspect, James Holmes, will present their case in court.

Sports in 2012: here are some Monitor highlights

It’s impossible to list all the records set in 2012, but here’s a short rundown of some heralded highlights, plus 20 of our favorites, including some you might have missed.

US government waives pollution laws for 1,500 underground water supplies

The Environmental Protection Agency has granted some energy and mining companies permission to pollute underground water supplies across the US, according to an investigation by ProPublica.

The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012

From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.

Space spider dies in D.C. after surviving 55 days in space

Space spider dies in D.C.: Neffi survived 55 days aboard the International Space Station. But the famous spider died after four days in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, in Washington, D.C.

They may have voted to legalize, but marijuana restrictions remain for students

In November, Washington and Colorado voted to allow adults over 21 to possess and use small amounts of marijuana legally. But at universities, which receive federal funding, smoking pot will remain a punishable offense.

Youth vote not as fired up as in 2008. Could that trip up Obama?

Voters under 30 gave President Obama his margin of victory in at least three states in 2008. In a close race, he'll need the youth vote on Nov. 6 more than ever. But it's not clear he'll get it in the numbers he needs.

Physics Nobel goes to quantum theorists

Frenchman Serge Haroche and American David Wineland shared the prize for work involving photons. 

US, French scientists awarded Nobel Prize in physics (+video)

David Wineland and Serge Haroche will share this year's Nobel prize for their work in quantum physics.

Opinion: In quest for jobs, Fed chair Bernanke's money spigot hurts economy in long run

US unemployment fell to 7.8 percent (a possible boon to President Obama, whose economic leadership Mitt Romney criticizes). But job growth remains slow. Fed Chair Bernanke's quantitative easing policies aim to boost the economy, but they will more likely spur inflation and capital flight.

Doctors' advice to keep older patients off the road can save lives, study finds

A Canadian study found that doctors, rather than well-intentioned family members, are more effective at keeping older patients and other drivers safe on the road.

James Holmes trial: Prosecutors want access to a notebook

James Holmes trial: Colorado prosecutors want access to a notebook that reportedly contains descriptions of an attack. The notebook was sent by James Holmes to a University of Colorado psychiatrist.

New generation of vets find camaraderie, services online

Web-savvy veterans are using the internet more frequently to connect with one another, and traditional veterans programs are following suit. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the VFW are reaching out to vets in unconventional ways.

Do Martian clay deposits prove existence of liquid water? No.

A study found that the types of clays found on Mars to not necessarily require Earthlike aquatic conditions.

New Mars theory paints a drier picture of the Red Planet (+video)

Since water is thought to be essential for all life, the Martian clay findings complicate the question of whether early Mars was likely to have been hospitable to life.

Colorado shooting prosecutors would face uphill battle with insanity plea

A court hearing Thursday will examine his relationship with a University of Colorado psychiatrist to whom he mailed a package containing a notebook that reportedly contains violent descriptions of an attack.

In March, James Holmes told a Colorado classmate he would kill

What did the University of Colorado know, when? Aurora shooting suspect James Holmes told a classmate, four months before the attack, that he wanted to kill people, say prosecutors in new court filing. Prosecutors are trying to get access to university records.

Prosecutor: Holmes made threats before Colorado shooting (+video)

Prosecutors in the Colorado movie theater shooting case indicated the suspect, former graduate student James Holmes, acted out of revenge. Holmes' defense maintains that their client is mentally ill. 

Primary violent space weather concern for next decade: the sun

A new report emphasizes the need for research to better understand the sun, how it interacts with Earth and other bodies in the solar system, and the origins of potentially harmful space weather.

Rover Curiosity is a star, but can it help fund future of Mars exploration?

The steady stream of enticing photographs from the rover Curiosity may be wowing scientists and the public, but NASA is facing serious budgetary constraints on the future of Mars exploration.

Aurora shooter sought help for mental illness, says lawyer (+video)

Defense lawyers for James Holmes, the former graduate student accused of murder in a Colorado movie theater shooting, say their client has a mental illness. Meanwhile, news organizations requested that files in the case be unsealed. 

Olympic moms: 13 mothers compete for Team USA

The “Celebrating Moms” series of commercials by Proctor & Gamble during Olympic coverage is a tear-jerking ode to sacrifices mothers make to support their kids’ athletic careers. But what about athletes who are mothers, themselves?

Elite athlete moms have the same run-of-the-mill work/life balance as the rest of us. But these 13 Olympic moms do put parenting – both its challenges and rewards – in a new perspective.

Why Earth still absorbing our carbon dioxide?

Our planets ocean's and plants are soaking up unexpected levels of manmade carbon dioxide, but scientists say we cannot count on nature to do so indefinitely.

Psychiatrist tried to discuss Holmes with security staff, according to report (+video)

KMGH-TV, citing sources it did not identify, said psychiatrist Lynne Fenton telephoned some members of the team about graduate student James Holmes in early June.

Oceans, plants help put the brakes on global warming, study finds (+video)

Earth's oceans and plants are now absorbing more than twice the amount of carbon dioxide that they soaked up in 1960, helping to slow global warming, a new study has found.