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Strange events have long been linked to nights of a full moon, though careful scrutiny dispels any association.

So, when signals bounced off the lunar surface returned surprisingly faint echoes on full moon nights, scientists sought an explanation in reason rather than superstition.

Still, the most compelling evidence arrived during another event that once evoked irrational fears – on a night when Earth's shadow eclipsed the full moon.

Tom Murphy, a physicist at UC San Diego, is among the scientists who have aimed laser beams at suitcase-sized reflectors placed on the moon by Apollo astronauts and unmanned Soviet rovers.

By precisely timing the light's return to Earth, Murphy can measure the distance from here to the moon with millimeter precision.

Lunar ranging, as this is called, has revealed that the moon is slowly spiraling away from us and suggested that it has a molten core.

Murphy's group is using precise measurements of the changing shape of the lunar orbit to subject Einstein's theory of general relativity to the most stringent test yet.

Over time, signals returned by the reflectors, faint to begin with, have faded. The project Murphy leads at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico sends laser pulses of 100 quadrillion photons, of which, on average, a single lonely photon returns – if any at all.

Earth's atmosphere nudges some photons off target so that they hit the lunar soil, and the reflectors slightly diffract the returning beam so that most miss the telescope when they return.

Even after accounting for these losses, Murphy's team records 10 times fewer photons than they expect.

And on full moon nights it's even worse, dropping to just 1 percent of the predicted performance. Other observatories are unable to detect any returned signal on full moon nights.

The team jokingly dubbed this lousy performance “the full-moon curse,” Murphy said. “For a while we thought we were just victims of bad luck, but the trend continued, month after month.”

Murphy thinks accumulated moon dust could account for the diminished returns, which could spell bad news for plans to place telescopes up there. Although there's no wind on the moon, electrostatic forces and a constant bombardment by tiny meteorites could have kicked up some of the lunar dust to coat the surface of the clear glass prisms arrayed in each reflector.

Light must pass through the surface of each prism twice – on the way in and on the way back out. A dusting that covers 50 percent of the glass would be enough to account for the dimming of the return signal they observe on most nights, Murphy calculates.

But something else, something in addition to simple obscuration is needed to account for the dramatic drop on full moon nights. Murphy thinks it's heat.

The prisms are sunk a bit into cylinders so that the sun only fully illuminates them when it shines straight in.

Because the arrays face Earth, that only happens on full moon nights. When it does, the dark dust of the lunar regolith would heat up, setting up a thermal gradient between the surface and the depths of the prisms.

That would degrade their performance by altering the refractive index, turning the prism into an unintentional lens and diverging the returning light so that even fewer photons return to the telescope.

It's a beautiful idea because it generates a thing scientists probably love most: a testable prediction. If the poor performance on full moon nights resulted from heating of the surface of the cubes, turning off the light should boost the signal as soon as the surface cools so that the temperature throughout the cubes is uniform.

All you'd have to do is turn off the Sun. Or wait for the Earth to pass between the Sun and moon, as it does during a lunar eclipse.

On the night of Dec. 21, 2010, Murphy's team was fortunate to have decent observing conditions during a lunar eclipse.

For five and half hours, they ranged lasers from the three Apollo reflector arrays and a fourth mounted on a Soviet rover (once thought lost for good) as the edge of Earth's shadow passed by each in turn and as they reemerged one-by-one into full sunlight.

As predicted, they saw a tenfold spike in performance as the celestial light switch was thrown, restoring the signal to levels they see on other nights, the team recently reported in the scientific journal Icarus.

So why, skeptics might wonder, if moon dust is moving about, can the boot prints left by astronauts decades ago still be seen?

Murphy has a calculation for that too: at the rate of deposition that must have occurred to obscure the reflectors, it would take tens of thousands of years.

While more flu deaths have been confirmed in California, the number of flu cases overall appears to be decreasing, the state's health officer said Friday.

Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer, said the number of confirmed influenza related deaths in the state has increased by 41 to a total of 243 confirmed deaths for the 2013-14 season. Four of the 243 are pediatric deaths.

There are an additional 41 deaths that are under investigation and have not yet bee confirmed as flu-related, Chapman said.

The 243 confirmed influenza-associated deaths this season have been reported by the following jurisdictions: Alameda (6), Contra Costa (6), El Dorado (2), Fresno (17), Glenn (1), Humboldt (1), Imperial (1), Kern (10), Kings (3), Lake (1), Lassen (1), Long Beach (5), Los Angeles (33), Madera (2), Marin (2), Mendocino (4), Merced (4), Monterey (2), Nevada (1), Orange (9), Riverside (9), Sacramento (23), San Benito (1), San Bernardino (18), San Diego (19), San Francisco (3), San Joaquin (6), San Luis Obispo (1), San Mateo (5), Santa Barbara (2), Santa Clara (12), Santa Cruz (3), Shasta (2), Siskiyou (2), Solano (2), Sonoma (7), Stanislaus (13), Tulare (2), Tuolumne (1), and Ventura (1).

The Lake County flu death, first reported last week, was a woman in the 30- to 40-year-old age range, as Lake County News has reported.

By this time last year, CDPH had received reports of a total of 26 influenza fatalities and in all of the 2012-13 season, a total of 106 deaths were reported.

The great majority of reported influenza deaths in persons under 65 years of age have occurred in people with underlying medical conditions. Most of those with reported influenza deaths had onset of illness in previous weeks, according to Chapman.

Looking at the onset of illness, the number of deaths by week appears to be decreasing. Chapman reported that both outpatient visits and hospitalizations have decreased, and hospitalizations are within levels that would be expected at this point in the season.

“The downward trend in the number of influenza cases is a good sign, but the season is far from over,” said Dr. Chapman. “Unfortunately, this influenza season is still severe and the number of influenza related deaths continues to rise. Vaccination is still the best way to prevent illness and the spread of illness.”

Those at highest risk – the elderly, pregnant women, infants, or those with other health conditions – who show flu symptoms should contact their physician immediately in order to get the most effective treatment. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Lake County Public Health, located at 922 Bevins Court in Lakeport, continues to offer flu vaccine for all ages.

Vaccinations are offered for $2 each from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, and 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Call 707-263-1090 or 800-794-9291 to ensure availability.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A hit-and-run early Friday in the north Lakeport area damaged a boat trailer and a fence.

The suspect vehicle was reportedly traveling north on Lakeshore Boulevard at about 12:30 a.m. Friday when it lost control around a turn, crashing into the fence and a boat trailer, according to area residents.

While neighbors heard the vehicle, they didn't see it. However, evidence of broken headlights suggested that the vehicle was a middle to late 1990s Ford, possibly green or teal in color.

The vehicle is believed to be missing headlights and should have front end damage.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. Any tips or information should be reported to the agency at 707-279-0103.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Thursday morning security check led to a Clearlake man's arrest and the seizure of methamphetamine.

Lt. Steve Brooks said a Lake County Sheriff's deputy arrested 31-year-old Michael Julian Ferguson.

At 2:50 a.m. Thursday a patrol deputy conducted a security check at Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport. As the deputy was walking towards the main entrance to the casino, he noticed a male subject, later identified as Ferguson, sitting on the curb, Brooks said.

As the deputy started to walk toward Ferguson, Ferguson stood up and started to walk away from the deputy at a fast pace. Brooks said the deputy called out for Ferguson to stop, but he continued to walk away and put his hands inside his jacket.

The deputy became concerned with Ferguson’s behavior and thought he may have a weapon or was digging into his pockets in order to dump narcotics, Brooks said. After watching Ferguson and his mannerisms, the deputy thought he may be under the influence of a controlled substance.

Ferguson continued walking away and headed towards a white station wagon in the parking lot, Brooks said. Fearing that he might try to get into the vehicle to access a weapon or hide contraband, the deputy told Ferguson that he was not going to allow him to get into the vehicle. Ferguson grabbed the passenger side door handle and tried to open it, but it was locked.

Brooks said the deputy asked Ferguson to turn around and take his hands out of his pockets, which he did reluctantly. The deputy noticed Ferguson appeared to be extremely nervous and was constantly moving around. He also noticed that Ferguson’s pupils were dilated, even for the low light conditions in the parking lot.

Because Ferguson’s behavior and the symptoms he was exhibiting, the deputy told Ferguson that he was being detained, Brooks said.

When the deputy went to handcuff Ferguson, Ferguson started to pull away and told the deputy he was not going to be handcuffed. Ferguson then pulled away and started to run. Brooks said the deputy ordered him to stop several times, but he continued to run. As soon as a second deputy arrived to assist, Ferguson stopped running and was taken into custody.

Ferguson was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting arrest. He denied using drugs but told the deputy he did take some pills which may have contained methamphetamine. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional facility, Brooks said.

Prior to taking Ferguson inside the facility, he was warned about bringing drugs or contraband into the jail. Brooks said Ferguson then admitted he was in possession of methamphetamine, which the deputy located and seized as evidence. During the booking process, the deputy also charged Ferguson with possession of a controlled substance.

The methamphetamine was later weighed and had a gross weight of 2.8 grams, Brooks said.

Ferguson's bail was set at $35,000. Jail records indicated he remained in custody early Saturday.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a man whose body was found on the roadside in Calpella, with dogs attacking it.

Capt. Greg Van Patten said the man's body was discovered Friday morning.

At 10:41 a.m. the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office dispatch center received a telephone call from a motorist in Calpella who reported seeing an adult male laying on the ground in a clearing beside the roadway in the 5000 block of N. State Street, Van Patten said.

Van Patten said the motorist noticed what appeared to be two dogs attacking the adult male’s body.

A Mendocino County Sheriff's Office animal control officer arrived on scene and witnessed the two dogs, a Rottweiler and pit bull, standing over the man's body, Van Patten said.

The animal control officer yelled to the dogs to gain their attention and the Rottweiler aggressively charged at the officer, who Van Patten said discharged his duty weapon two times, hitting the Rottweiler at least once.

The Rottweiler fled a short distance away and died as a result of being shot by the officer. Van Patten said the pit bull, described as being white in color, fled the area and was not located after an exhaustive search of the area.

The animal control officer approached the adult male and noticed he was deceased, Van Patten said.

Sheriff's detectives and investigators from the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office were summoned to the scene. Van Patten said the investigation into the cause of the adult male’s death is ongoing.

At this time investigators do not believe the adult male died as a result of an animal attack although evidence of animal activity on the adult male's body was evident.

Sheriff's detectives have yet to identify the adult male and a forensic autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18, according to Van Patten.

Animal control officers took possession of the Rottweiler with the intention of having an autopsy preformed on the animal, Van Patten said.

Van Patten said the owner, or owners, of the Rottweiler and pit bull have yet to be determined.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is urged to call the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Tip-line at 707-234-2100.

A lot can happen in 10 years.

Over the past decade an international laboratory, widely known but often underappreciated, has been producing results at an extraordinary rate.

Using its unique capabilities,

• engineers have developed a precision robotic arm that helps surgeons remove tumors from the human brain;
• experimenters have learned to start fires without flames—an anti-intuitive technology that could lead to super-efficient auto engines;
• physicists have counted hundreds of thousands of anti-matter particles among normal cosmic rays, a telltale sign of mysterious dark matter.;
• researchers have gathered atoms into exotic forms, creating the building blocks of futuristic smart materials;

… and much more.

That lab is the International Space Station.

“The accomplishments of the past 10 years are remarkable--especially considering that the space station was still under construction,” noted Julie Robinson, program scientist for the ISS. “Now that the station is finished, we’ve been granted at least 10 more.”

In January, the Obama Administration announced an extension of the International Space Station until at least 2024. The extra time allows NASA and other space agencies around the world to pursue a number of important goals.

For one thing, the ISS is crucial for long-duration travel through deep space.

“That may sound ironic given that the space station never leaves Earth orbit,” said Robinson, “but we have determined that research on station is necessary to mitigate 21 of 32 known human-health risks associated with long duration space missions. The road to Mars leads through the ISS.”

Robinson added that medical research for astronauts helps people on Earth, too. Treatments for bone loss and muscle decay, and advances in telemedicine are just a few of the spinoffs that have made their way into hospital rooms since the ISS program began.

As the next decade unfolds, a menagerie of “model organisms” will join astronauts on the ISS for advanced life science studies.

New “crewmembers” include weeds, fruit flies and rodents – all of which share surprising amounts of DNA with humans.

“By studying these organisms in microgravity, we will learn a lot about ourselves,” Robinson said.

Although Robinson has a degree in biology, some of her favorite experiments are in the area of fundamental physics.

For instance, she said, “The station’s Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer program, led by Nobel laureate Samuel Ting, is poised for breakthroughs on the nature of dark matter.”

Another exciting project is the Cold Atom Lab, slated for flight in 2016. “We are going to create the coldest spot in the known universe inside the ISS,” she said. “This will allow researchers to study exotic forms of quantum matter such as Bose-Einstein condensates.”

With the “big blue marble” looming large in its window, the space station is a powerful platform for Earth science.

Sensors under construction and slated for launch in the next few years include instruments for hurricane forecasting, studies of the global climate, and lightning hazards.

“The extension of the space station allows Earth science instruments to collect longer term datasets,” said Robinson. “Some of our existing sensors will collect 90-percent more data during the extra decade.”

The station’s 10-year extension also boosts the development of America’s homegrown commercial space program.

SpaceX and Orbital Sciences Corp., which have contracts to supply cargo to the station, can now look forward to competing for future contracts.

SpaceX, Boeing and Sierra Nevada also are interested in launching crews to the station by 2017. As commercial providers provide access to Earth orbit at lower cost, we move toward the day when scientists will travel to space to do their own experiments, firsthand.

Ten more years, indeed. For more information about research on the International Space Station, visit www.nasa.gov/station .

Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.