NASA's Curiosity Mars team has recently obtained a second soil sample from an outcrop of the Murray formation, the geological unit of Mount Sharp on Mars. Through analysis of the soil samples, scientists hope to understand the formation of the mountain and investigate its mineralogical structure. 

Intentionally designed to appear as four separate structures and the many historic pilgrimage chapels in the region; A House for Essex, designed by FAT (Fashion Architecture Taste) in collaboration with artist Grayson Perry, is one of the newest and most postmodern vacation spots along the British coast northeast of London. The exterior of the structure is clad with roughly 2000 custom ceramic tiles and is housed under a copper alloy standing seam roof with three cast-aluminum sculptures atop.

Geotechnical investigations are on their way for the metro line in Doha. The $1.37 million project is about to complete and soil parameters will soon be delivered to rail line designers.

The construction of an 1100-foot tall multi-use skyscraper is underway in downtown Los Angeles. At 2.1 million square feet and 73 stories tall the Wilshire Grand will be the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. While this is an impressive height, especially for L.A., it is dwarfed, worldwide, by roughly 40 structures. The majority of these buildings, around 34, exist outside of the U.S.

Non-military drones are growing in popularity with the use by local police departments traffic reporters, and now the oil and gas industry is looking to get into the action. Researchers and industry alike are hard at work developing new technologies to improve methane detection in hydraulic fracturing operations that are compatible with drones. Many corporations currently use varied forms of aircraft, such helicopters and satellites, equipped with laser sensors or infrared cameras to detect methane. Lighter, less expensive, faster, and more sensitive sensors currently in development are making the use of drones more appealing.

The double-decker bridge over Interstate 285, linking the Galleria area to the SunTrust Park and the Braves stadium and mixed-use development area is from now on the design stage by a Los-Angeles based firm. The firm was selected by the Cobb County commission, among four candidates, submitting their qualifications for the design of the bridge.

Since the Oso landslide, the emerging question in many meetings, panel discussions and brainstorming sessions is about other slopes across the country having a significant collapse potential with the deadly effects as the Oso event. Geotechnical engineer Joe Wartman, member of the scientific team studying the landslide answers that it is not possible to know. The reason for this being primarily the lack of data.