http://www.popsci.com/    popular science: to catch the topic

http://nsf.gov/discoveries/

http://news.google.com/   ...  go to us edition

of couse, university databases, such  as:
-access science: encyclopedias

also e-books:
-knovel engineering library: online books recent

databases as well:
-google (regular one), type sth, "wonder wheel under all results" ===> this is perfect for brainstorming ideas before looking for the rest..:)
-Elsevier ScienceDirect , search, limit dates
-Scirus ( or just access it http://www.scirus.com ) :P 
-academic search premier
-Expanded Academic ASAP International Edition  


note: encyclopedias give u background, basic info only


citation machine - APA style - type of text ( from your left hand )