World Science

Is warfare linked to evolution?
In one farming society, males who participate in livestock raids also may have more wives and children, a study finds. (Dec. 30, 2014)

Study finds police body-cameras can prevent violence
Researchers are working to repeat the study with 30 police forces across the globe. (Dec. 26, 2014)

Light human skeleton may have come after agriculture
The relatively light skeletons of modern humans arose late in our evolutionary history, researchers report. (Dec. 23, 2014)

Crows found able to reason by “analogy”
Crows in a study were said to recognize how different pairs of objects have similar relationships. (Dec. 19, 2014)

Quantum physics may have just gotten simpler
New research claims to unite two strange features of the quantum world, or nature at the smallest scales. (Dec. 20, 2014)

Impact that killed dinos may have nearly snuffed mammals too
The dinosaurs’ extinction 66 million years ago is thought to have opened the way for mammals to dominate the land. (Dec. 17, 2014)

Mars crater may be belching organic gas; biological origin not ruled out
Levels of methane are periodically spiking at the Gale Crater on Mars, NASA scientists say. (Dec. 17, 2014)

Herd mentality: Are we programmed to make bad decisions?
A desire to be part of the “in crowd” is a result of our evolution but can degrade our decisionmaking ability, a study has found. (Dec. 16, 2014)

Probe of comet’s water yields surprises
New data from the Rosetta spacecraft suggest most of Earth’s water came from asteroids, not comets. (Dec. 14, 2014)

Birds diversified in “big bang” after dinosaurs died out
A major new study looks at how and when birds evolved and gained features such as feathers, flight and song. (Dec. 12, 2014)

Hummingbird’s hover surprisingly easy to “hack”
Hummingbirds’ remarkable ability to hover in place depends on a motionless field of view, a study finds. (Dec. 10, 2014)

Punishing kids for lying doesn’t work, study suggests
In an experiment, positive encouragements led many fewer children to lie than the threat of being “in trouble.” (Dec. 9, 2014)

Two giant stars seen starting to merge
Theoretical models predict that the biggest stars form through mergers. (Dec. 7, 2014)

Human reasoning attributed to special brain network
New findings focus on brain areas known the frontal and parietal lobes. (Dec. 3, 2014)

Men’s “Y chromosome” may be a vulnerability
A DNA structure that only males have may be the undoing of some, especially smokers, research suggests. (Dec. 4, 2014)

Mars rock called possible evidence of biological activity
Did Mars ever have life? Might it still? A meteorite identified as coming from Mars has reignited the old debate. (Dec. 3, 2014)

Parasites found to use “Trojan horses” to quell resistance
Pathogens dump unfriendly genetic material sealed in friendly-looking packages, a study says. (Nov. 26, 2014)

“Invisible” infrared light made human-visible
Any science textbook will tell you we can’t see infrared light, but that can change under some conditions. (Dec. 1, 2014)

Vultures evolved extreme gut to handle disgusting food, scientists say
Vultures live on rotting, often poop-contaminated meat that would poison or kill most other animals. (Nov. 25, 2014)

Voice may reveal who has clout
Being in a position of power can change the sound of your voice, a study finds. (Nov. 24, 2014)

Ancient landslide could be record breaker
A giant landslide some 21 million years ago is said to have covered an area greater than Rhode Island within minutes. (Nov. 21, 2014)

Comet lander said to find dusty ice, organics
Preliminary data came from a lander that spent two days on a comet before losing power. (Nov. 18, 2014)

Spooky alignments of galaxies detected
Similarities in the ways that galaxies spin can extend over vast reaches of space, a study suggests. (Nov. 20, 2014)

Social status may persist across eight centuries or more
At least in England, social status has tended to persist for some 28 generations, a study finds. (Nov. 17, 2014)

Comet lander loses power but completes “primary” job
Mission scientists hope the probe may reawaken later with more light. (Nov. 15, 2014)

Lander in awkward spot on comet, but sends pictures
The Philae lander is not quite where it was meant to be, but it’s working, scientists report. (Nov. 13, 2014)

Lander touches down on comet
The first-in-history feat is expected to lead to many more images and data. (Nov. 12, 2014)

Storms flare up on Uranus
The planet’s normally placid blue-green face is seeing changes visible even in amateur astronomers’ telescopes. (Nov. 12, 2014)

Newfound particle might not be famous Higgs, team claims
What was identified as a Higgs boson might instead be something related to the mysterious “dark matter,” some argue. (Nov. 10, 2014)

Seal-like beast gave rise to dinosaur-era sea monsters, study says
A fossil is said to represent an ancestral form of giant sea reptiles called icthyosaurs. (Nov. 5, 2014)

People deny a problem when they dislike the solution, study finds
Phenomena such as global warming denialism might not stem directly from the nature of the problem itself. (Nov. 7, 2014)

Astronomers identify mystery object at center of galaxy
Astronomers say they have solved a puzzle about a thin, bizarre object near our galaxy’s monster black hole. (Nov. 4, 2014)

Strange, fanged deer re-appears in Afghanistan
An endangered deer with vampire-like fangs lives on in northeast Afghanistan, scientists report. (Oct. 31, 2014)

Childhood beliefs about soul may stick with us despite what we say
What we believed as children about the soul and afterlife shapes our adult views more than we may admit, research suggests. (Nov. 3, 2014)

Why did dinos have feathers long before flight?
Display and communication may have spurred the initial evolution of feathers, a feature later passed down to birds. (Oct. 30, 2014)

Comeback seen for endangered giant tortoise
A population of tortoises was down to just 15 a half-century ago on the Galapagos island of Española. (Oct. 28, 2014)

Study: isolating only “likely non-survivors” can stop Ebola
Promptly isolating just the sickest patients would eliminate the epidemic in Liberia, research suggests. (Oct. 27, 2014)

Lizards seen evolving in just 15 years
Scientists have documented rapid evolution of a native Florida lizard species as a result of pressure from an invading lizard. (Oct. 23, 2014)

Dinosaur stabbing said to reveal stegosaurs’ deadly skill
A huge hole in a predator’s skeleton may show that a seemingly lumbering plant-eater could use its tail spikes with lethal effect. (Oct. 21, 2014)

Feeling of seeing world in detail is illusory, scientists say
The brain uses memory to fill in a lot of blanks, a study proposes. (Oct. 20, 2014)

Hint of dark matter found?
Scientists have measured a signal that they say might come from the mysterious substance detected so far only through its gravity. (Oct. 17, 2014)

Family tree traces evolution of mysterious birds
Cotingas are some of the brightest, loudest, oddest-looking, least-understood birds. (Oct. 14, 2014)

Birds beat turbulence by folding wings, study finds
Researchers examined how soaring birds manage to fly in turbulence that would keep a light aircraft grounded. (Oct. 16, 2014)

“Dark matter” may be half what was thought—at least locally
Astronomers made a new measurement of “dark matter” in our galaxy, invisible stuff detected only through its gravitational pull. (Oct. 9, 2014)

Sharing our “epic” moments may cost us
Talking about ordinary stuff might help you feel more included in a conversation than recounting the exceptional, psychologists have found. (Oct. 6, 2014)

Hungry black hole found to eat faster than thought possible
It’s swallowing star material in an amount estimated as the equivalent of 100 billion billion hot dogs a minute. (Oct. 8, 2014)

Feeling down? Head to Facebook, find someone worse off
People in a bad mood were found more likely to search sites to find friends who are doing even worse than they are. (Oct. 3, 2014)

Mystery fossils seem to represent tiny balls of cells
No one knows quite where they sit on the evolutionary tree of life. (Sept. 25, 2014)

“Cousin” planets reported found
Astronomers say they have found two planets, each orbiting one star—while the stars orbit each other. (www.world-science.net/othernews/141001_CousinPlanets.htm)

Out in space, the most complex organic molecule yet
The finding suggests an easier path to the formation of life on many planets, the researchers argue. (Sept. 28, 2014)

Anomaly in spacecraft flybys puzzles scientists
The laws of gravity don’t seem to be working exactly as they should around Earth. (www.world-science.net/othernews/140922_anomaly.htm)

An image, or its interpretation? Newfound brain cells show surprising role
Scientists combined images of celebrities to make viewers’ brains do a little extra work. Aristotle would have appreciated the results, they say. (www.world-science.net/othernews/140927_brain.htm)

Earth’s water is older than the Sun, scientists claim
The findings may indicate that water is common in planetary systems. (Sept. 25, 2014)

Scientists report first “semiaquatic” dino
A huge dinosaur discovered over a century ago turns out to have been adapted for living and hunting in a water environment, scientists say. (Sept. 11, 2014)

Study: population won’t stabilize this century
New projections contradict past predictions of a peak near 2050. (Sept. 19, 2014)

Not our fault chimps kill each other, study concludes
Chimps’ evolutionary closeness to humans has fueled interest in why these apes become violent, and what that might say about us. (Sept. 19, 2014)

Parrot found to “teach” tool use to others
Goffin’s cockatoos can not only make and use tools but also teach others to do it, a study concludes. (Sept. 10, 2014)

Study suggests delaying aging may be easier than thought
Research on people and fruit flies has renewed attention on a process of cellular “garbage disposal.” (Sept. 9, 2014)

Deadly sophistication seen in trout-eel hunting partnership
The coral trout’s collaborative skills rival those of the much bigger-brained chimp, scientists say. (Sept. 8, 2014)

New dino described as largest weighable specimen ever
Scientists say they have discovered a fossil of the largest land animal whose weight can be accurately calculated. (Sept. 4, 2014)

Cutting carbs may beat cutting fat
A study suggests people could reduce their weight and heart disease risk without a low-fat diet. (Sept. 2, 2014)

How the brain chooses between truth and lies
Most of us want to be honest, but at some point, we’ll lie if the benefit is great enough. (Sept. 3, 2014)

Training might teach the brain to prefer healthy food
It may be possible to train the brain to prefer healthy low-calorie foods over unhealthy higher-calorie foods, research suggests. (Sept. 1, 2014)

Movie recreates in detail past visit to far-off moon
Scientists working with NASA restored 1989 footage from the Voyager 2 spacecraft to make a map and film of Neptune's moon Triton. (Aug. 26, 2014)

Tiny “cannon” shoots single light particles
The invention is part of an attempt to develop super-fast computers using photons. (td id="xpnetdiagInfo" alig)

Sheepdogs found to use simple rules to herd sheep
Scientists used GPS technology to understand how sheepdogs do their jobs so well. (Aug. 27, 2014)

Past global warmings were good times for sea crocs
Past spells of naturally caused warming were golden opportunities for sea crocodiles to spread, according to a study. (Aug. 19, 2014)

Parasitic ant may have evolved from its own host, at home
If confirmed, the bizarre phenomenon would challenge traditional versions of evolutionary theory. (Aug. 22, 2014)

Kids with autism found to have extra connections in brain
Researchers examined brains of young people with autism who had died from other causes. (Aug. 22, 2014)

Turtles found to communicate, care for young
Giant South American river turtles use various calls to coordinate their activities, a study reports. (Aug. 15, 2014)

Dust gathered by spacecraft found to come from outside solar system
Grains collected by NASA’s Stardust craft could be much like the material that formed our sun and planets. (Aug. 18, 2014)

“Terminator” fish worries scientists
A fish that’s invading the Atlantic hunts more like the relentless robot of movie fame than an ordinary predator, scientists say. (Aug. 14, 2014)

3-D study of comets reveals “chemical factory” within
Research identified some chemicals that may have been important to the origin of life. (Aug. 12, 2014)

Office windows may boost health
Office daylight may lead to improved sleep and other benefits, according to a study. (Aug. 11, 2014)

Spacecraft reaches comet for first up-close study
A European spacecraft came within 100 km (60 miles) on Aug. 6. (Aug. 6, 2014)

Playing up “manly” side may help women enter male-dominated fields
Though it’s not job seekers’ responsibility to ensure their own fair treatment, researchers in a study hoped to improve real “outcomes.” (Aug. 7, 2014)

Jupiter moon spouts “curtains of fire” in crazed series of eruptions
Io, about the size of our own moon, went nuts during two weeks last August, astronomers say. (Aug. 5, 2014)

Scientists report successfully Implanting brain cells in mice
A finding is said to raise hope for therapies to replace cells in patients with diseases such as Parkinson’s. (Aug. 4, 2014)

Giant asteroids battered early Earth, NASA scientists say
New research indicates huge impacts repeatedly melted, mixed and buried Earth’s surface. (Aug. 1, 2014)

Particles can be physically separated from own properties, study suggests
Physicists explore yet another strange consequence of the laws of quantum mechanics. (July 31, 2014)

Shrinking dinosaurs evolved into flying birds, scientists say
Massive, meat-eating dinosaurs evolved into agile flying birds by shrinking and shrinking, a study reports. (July 31, 2014)

Four billion-year-old chemistry in cells today?
Some of the chemical processes that first gave rise to life may be still at work in living cells. (July 24, 2014)

Study: fist-bumping more hygienic than shaking hands
Health care providers might want to switch to the “fist-bump” gesture, researchers say. (July 28, 2014)

Some women really do prefer mean guys, research suggests
What your guy pals told you may be true, according to new research. (July 26, 2014)

Don’t tell kids how healthy any food is, study suggests
According to a new study, when children hear about the benefits of healthy food, they’re less likely to eat it. (July 23, 2014)

Study: We could detect aliens by their pollution
Research suggests we could spot the fingerprints of certain common pollutants. (July 23, 2014)

Mysterious dance of dwarfs may force cosmic rethink
A finding that many small galaxies don’t “swarm” around larger ones like bees but rather circle them is creating a new conundrum. (July 21, 2014)

Fossil suggests flight was common among bird-like dinosaurs
The animal had an extremely long, feathered tail that biologists think was crucial for safe landings. (July 17, 2014)

Newfound gene could play role in aging from birth
A developmental gene called Spns1 was found to affect aging in experiments with animals. (July 17, 2014)

Prehistoric “bookkeeping” continued long after invention of writing
Archaeologists in Turkey have found clay tokens that served as records of trade until the advent of writing, or so it was thought. (July 14, 2014)

Consciousness research not dead, scientists insist
Why does a relentless stream of experiences normally fill your mind? (July 11, 2014)

Mysterious bursts of radio waves identified far outside galaxy
The mystery is reminiscent of that of gamma-ray bursts, which are now thought to come from stars collapsing to form black holes. (July 10, 2014)

Fossils of tiny, unknown hedgehog found
Scientists are investigating a “lost world” in Canada. (July 8, 2014)

Astronomers detect most distant Milky Way stars known
They’re being called ghosts of galaxies past. (July 9, 2014)

Specific brain area may aid stock market success
Reliance on a brain area called the anterior insular cortex may have helped players avoid crashes in a stock market game. (July 7, 2014)

Chimp culture reaches new heights with “grass-in-the-ear” trend
Chimpanzees are copycats and, in the process, they form new traditions that are often specific to just one group. (July 3, 2014)

Study: most people dislike being alone with their thoughts
Many would even rather give themselves electric shocks than just sit quietly, according to new research. (July 4, 2014)

Poor physical, financial health tied to same factors
Decision to contribute to a retirement plan predicts responses to results of a physical exam, a study found. (July 2, 2014)

Caribbean coral reefs disappearing, study says
Global warming alone isn’t to blame, according to a new report. (July 2, 2014)

Three black holes found spiraling into each other
Astronomers are hoping similar systems could give off detectable “ripples” in space and time. (June 26, 2014)

Bizarre parasite from Jurassic found
Researchers have discovered a fossil fly larva with a spectacular sucking apparatus. (June 25, 2014)

Back away, please: humans fear approaching objects
“Approach avoidance” is a general, and not entirely rational, tendency, a study suggests. (June 24, 2014)

NASA sizing up “weird” asteroid candidates for capture
Asteroids being looked at for a proposed NASA mission may have rubble-pile like compositions. (June 19, 2014)

New method could detect alien life, scientists claim
Scientists say they have developed a new model to detect methane on planets outside of our solar system. (June 17, 2014)

New dino species has “winged crest”
Scientists have named a new species of horned dinosaur based on fossils collected from Montana and Alberta. (June 17, 2014)

Anxious children found to have bigger “fear centers” in the brain
Development of the amygdala may affect anxiety traits, according to a study. (June 16, 2014)

First intact pterosaur eggs found with their parents
The huge flying reptiles lived together in colonies, according to researchers. (June 10, 2014)

How group membership can change our moral priorities
When people get together in groups, unusual things can happen. (June 12, 2014)

Does “free will” stem from brain noise?
Our ability to make choices—and mistakes—might arise from random fluctuations, a study claims. (June 9, 2014)

Climate engineering can’t stop global warming, scientists warn
Tinkering with the climate directly won’t help us avoid what’s needed, says a report. (June 4, 2014)

Spiders understand “music” of their own web
A spider web, plucked like a guitar string, provides its inhabitants with information, scientists have found. (June 5, 2014)

Lasers help recreate supernova explosions in lab
Researchers are using lasers to recreate at a small scale what happens when stars explode. (June 2, 2014)

Race against time to save vanishing Da Vinci “self-portrait”
Results could help save other old drawings and documents, scientists say. (May 29, 2014)

Printable robots in development
Engineers are working on robots that can be assembled from parts made by 3-D printers—some could be baked, too. (May 31, 2014)

Toxins in environment might make you older than your years
Why are some 75-year-olds downright spry while others can barely get around? (May 28, 2014)

Personal judgments swayed by group opinion for 3 days: study
We all want to feel like free thinkers, but there’s nothing like social pressure. (May 26, 2014)

Fruit flies found to “think” before acting
The insects take longer to make hard decisions, a study noted. (May 22, 2014)

Breaking the rules may be “cool”—or not
A new study looks at which kinds of rule-breaking can win “cool” points, and which fall flat. (May 21, 2014)

The more men with beards, the less they attract: study
Beards are often said to confer a masculine or dominant look, but their role in male attractiveness isn’t clear-cut. (May 20, 2014)

Favoritism, not hostility, seen behind much discrimination
Most discrimination in the U.S. stems from plain favoritism aimed at helping people similar to us, a new report claims. (May 19, 2014)

Measurements show Jupiter’s “Red Spot” shrinking fast
The swirling storm, larger than Earth, would be gone by about 2030 if shrinkage continues as recently measured. (May 16, 2014)

Are jellyfish really taking over? Global database to shed light
Worries lurk over whether environmental destruction is creating opportunities for “nuisance” species. (May 15, 2014)

Revenge not satisfying without attitude change, study finds
Revenge may be a dish best served with a side of change. (May 14, 2014)

Species numbers found stable—but maybe thanks to invaders
Findings raise the prospect of a situation resembling a so-called “planet of weeds.” (May 13, 2014)

First realistic universe simulation said to be created
A giant computer program mimics 13 billion years of cosmic evolution. (May 9, 2014)

Scientists identify Sun’s “long-lost brother,” hope life might turn up
Astronomers say they’ve found a star almost certainly born from the same cloud of gas and dust as our star. (May 12, 2014)

Long-snouted T. rex cousin reported found
A newfound fossil reveals a beast that like a cross between T. rex and Donald Duck. (May 7, 2014)

Early depression, anger may taint love life for decades
Researchers are trying to crack the code to happiness by exploring the long reach of depression and anger. (May 8, 2014)

Warming already causing extreme weather, official report says
Climate change is affecting the United States right now in far-reaching ways, according the National Climate Assessment report. (May 6, 2014)

Good institutions may prompt “fairer” behavior
People are more likely to favor their family and local community where institutions are weak, a study found. (May 5, 2014)

For birds, predation linked to faster aging
Findings are said to support an old theory explaining why animals have such widely varying lifespans. (May 1, 2014)

Snobby staff may boost luxury sales
When it comes to luxury brands, the ruder the sales staff the better the retail sales, a study suggests. (April 29, 2014)

Weird ocean sound finally explained: a whale
The strange, deep underwater sound was first reported by submarine sailors in the 1960s. (April 23, 2014)

People found to remember atrocities in ways that favor their group
People who learn of atrocities usually forget a few details—not quite randomly, research suggests. (April 23, 2014)

Test could provide “family tree” of a patient’s own tumors
Biologists hope the genetic test could help with treatment planning. (April 21, 2014)

First Earth-sized planet in star’s “habitable zone” reported found
In a long-awaited first, astronomers report finding an Earth-sized planet possibly able to support life. (April 17, 2014)

We’re over the hill at 24? So says computer-game study
If you’re over 24 you’ve already peaked in terms of speed in executing decisions, a study suggests. (April 16, 2014)

Even moderate pot use tied to clear brain changes: study
Even once- or twice-a-week use can lead to abnormalities, scientists say. (April 16, 2014)

Saturn may be spawning tiny new moon
Astronomers suspect the object may be going through stages that characterized the birth of other moons, and planets. (April 14, 2014)

Scientists to explore deep ocean trench
What lives in the deepest part of the ocean? Scientists plan to use the world’s only full-ocean-depth underwater robot and other technology to find out. (April 11, 2014)

Possible alien moon detected, but never to be seen again
Though unconfirmable, the finding is seen as a tantalizing first step toward finding exomoons. (April 10, 2014)

Neanderthals no strangers to good parenting, study says
Neanderthal parents were more attentive than traditionally supposed, a new study argues. (April 9, 2014)

Saturn moon hides sea within, scientists conclude
Researchers also believe the water is in contact with a rocky floor below, making it more suitable for a hypothetical origin of life. (April 3, 2014)

Zombie cancer cells eat themselves to live
Some cancer cells may survive chemotherapy attacks by eating parts of themselves, research suggests. (April 6, 2014)

“Dark matter” possibly seen destroying itself
Scientists report new clues in the hunt for a mysterious substance thought to make up over 80 percent of the material universe. (April 3, 2014)

Did limits on lead cause huge U.S. crime drop?
Removal of lead from gas and paint contributed to a huge decline in violence across the United States since the 1990s, a theory claims. (April 2, 2014)

Tiny planet found to have Saturn-like rings
A mini-planet in our solar system has rings, contradicting a longtime assumption that only big planets can have these, a study finds. (March 31, 2014)

Riddle of zebra’s stripes “solved”
Scientists say they now know why the zebra has stripes, but the solution raises a new problem. (April 1, 2014) (April 1, 2014)

Fair bosses “pay a price”
Bosses who are fair make their workers and companies better off, but may be burning themselves out, a study finds. (March 30, 2014)

Debris of Earth-like planets found to float around dead stars
Scientists say they have “solved” a decades-old space mystery. (March 26, 2014)

Big, unseen planet may inhabit outer Solar System
A dwarf planet just found far outside the known Solar System also hints that a far bigger one lurks, astronomers report. (March 26, 2014)

Study: E-cigarettes not linked to higher quit rates
Manufacturers shouldn’t advertise new devices as smoking-cessation tools absent more evidence, scientists say. (March 24, 2014)

Radar shows mirror-smooth sea on Saturn moon
The finding could be due to lack of winds at the time of the measurements, scientists said. (March 20, 2014)

Cuckoo helps nestmates by releasing awful stench
Cuckoos are the bird world’s most notorious freeloaders, but one species is found to give something in return. (March 21, 2014)

Social groups may ease depression
Clinically depressed patients recover more reliably if they build strong ties to a group, research finds. (March 19, 2014)

Ripples in space-time detected, supporting theory
Scientists reported detecting waves described as the “first tremors of the Big Bang.” (March 17, 2014)

Males, females may deal with stress oppositely
Stress could be undermining not only our health but also our relationships with others. (March 19, 2014)

Journalism-by-robot may spread
Computer-written articles may come across to readers as more boring—yet more credible—than those by humans. (March 14, 2014)

Soft robotic fish swims “like real thing”
Soft robots have become a popular research topic. (March 13, 2014)

Europeans may have evolved lighter skin in past 5,000 years
The skin changes may be a result of the body’s need to produce more Vitamin D, scientists say. (March 11, 2014)

Space rock mysteriously falls apart
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has recorded the never-before-seen break-up of an asteroid into as many as 10 smaller pieces. (March 6, 2014)

“5-second” food rule of urban legend found to have real basis
Folklore claims that many people use the rule, not necessarily that it really works. (March 10, 2014) (March 10, 2014)

Even “Dr. Barbie” may dampen girls’ career aspirations
“Sexualized” dolls may affect young girls negatively regardless of the dolls’ costumes, researchers suggest. (March 5, 2014)

Invasive plants use our shoes, tires as transport, scientists say
Harsh, cold climates don’t seem to stop alien plants from conquering mountain areas. (March 4, 2014)

Policy to protect domestic violence victims may be killing them
Scientists called the findings a medical mystery. (March 3, 2014)

How learning new ideas alters brain cells
A new study identifies an important molecular change that occurs in the brain when we learn and remember. (Feb. 28, 2014)

Obesity rates for U.S. toddlers found to plummet
Scientists said the results indicated that obesity-prevention programs targeted at young children might be starting to bear fruit. (Feb. 25, 2014)

“Super-Earths” may be dead worlds
It may be disappointing, but many seemingly Earth-like planets are not that at all, a study finds. (Feb. 26, 2014)

Astronomers film record-breaking lunar impact
A rock the weight of a small car hit the Moon last September, according to astronomers who filmed the impact. (Feb. 24, 2014)

“Artificial muscles” could be woven into clothing
Fibers from fishing line and thread can be used to make inexpensive artificial muscles, researchers say. (Feb. 21, 2014)

Ants make well-organized rafts with own bodies
Ants facing a flood use their own brood as “flotation devices,” protect the queen and manage to keep almost everyone safe, according to a study. (Feb. 23, 2014)

Distant quasars could close loophole in quantum mechanics
Scientists are trying to prove that lack of human free will isn’t the reason nature seems to follow seemingly absurd probabilistic laws. (Feb. 20, 2014)

Elephants “console” distressed pals
Consolation behavior is rare in the animal kingdom, researchers say. (Feb. 18, 2014)

Scientists said to restore some youthful strength to old mice
Researchers hope to eventually try the treatment on people. (Feb. 17, 2014)

Study suggests method to predict eruptions
Detecting whether the rock under a volcano is liquid enough to erupt might help narrow down when that might happen. (Feb. 16, 2014)

No such thing as porn addiction, researcher says
So-called porn addiction treatment is a lucrative business based on questionable science, a report claims. (Feb. 13, 2014)

Beauty in math may touch same brain area as art, music
The mathematical formula rated most beautiful in a new study was “Euler’s identity.” (Feb. 12, 2014)

Beast evolved “steak-knife” teeth before dinosaurs
The first top predators to walk on land weren’t afraid to bite off more than they could chew, a study suggests. (Feb. 7, 2014)

Aggression genes go way back
Aggression-causing genes have kept their roles for hundreds of millions of years, in different animals and contexts, scientists say. (Feb. 10, 2014)

Rats may take over the world and grow bigger, scientist predicts
The evolutionary success of rats so far leads one scholar to a disturbing prediction. (Feb. 5, 2014)

Money makes people more right-wing, lottery study finds
Lottery winners tend to switch towards support for a right-wing party and become less egalitarian, according to new research. (Feb. 6, 2014)

Just four basic emotions, not six, study says
Humans have only four basic emotions—not six, a new study based on facial expressions proposes. (Feb. 4, 2014)

Two-sunned planets don’t form easily, study finds
Planets with two stars—like Luke Skywalker’s home planet from Star Wars—can only form very far from their suns, a new study concludes. (Feb. 3, 2014)

Scientists develop “bendy” glass
In the future, when you drop a glass, it might just bend and become slightly deformed. (Jan. 31, 2014)

“Rogue” asteroids may be the norm
Asteroids found far from where they formed are evidence of a long-ago shakeup in the Solar System, astronomers say. (Jan. 30, 2014)

“Unique” brain area seen only in humans
The brain area is considered to be involved in planning and decision-making. (Jan. 29, 2014)

Anthrax faces silent war with giant, deadly virus
Although the anthrax bacterium strikes fear in the hearts of many, it has its own mortal enemy, scientists report. (Jan. 27, 2014)

Could space dust have brought life’s ingredients to Earth?
Space dust brings water and organic molecules to Earth and similar rocky planets, a study has found. (Jan. 24, 2014)

Narcissism may be good in moderation
A little narcissism is good for leadership success, researchers are suggesting. (Jan. 23, 2014)

Link in “cosmic web” reported seen for first time
A network of filaments is thought to link galaxies throughout the universe. (Jan. 20, 2014)

Jellyfish drones coming? New flying machine moves like sea creature
Scientists have devised a little flying machine that moves like a jellyfish does in water, though for now it has to remain attached to a cord. (Jan. 26, 2014)

Beer foam explodes like a “mushroom cloud,” scientists find
Scientists say they have explained why beer foams up so quickly when a bottle gets bumped. (Jan. 21, 2014)

Study: Even prisoners think they’re nicer than most people
Just about everyone thinks they’re better than average—including convicted criminals, a study has found. (Jan. 14, 2014)

Even microbes carry out tiny “commerce,” study finds
There’s big business going on in a very small world, and sometimes we are part of the transaction, scientists say. (Jan. 15, 2014)

DNA said to disprove war elephant myths
Researchers say they have cleared up questions around the only known battle between Asian and African elephants. (Jan. 13, 2014)

Prairie dogs may do version of “the wave” as alertness test
Black-tailed prairie dogs use a “jumping display” that spreads through their community. (Jan. 10, 2014)

Study said to explain giant underwater waves
Internal waves, hidden totally within the ocean, can tower as high as skyscrapers, scientists say. (Jan. 8, 2013)

Racism victims may age faster
Targets of racism may suffer accelerated aging if they let the negative attitudes about them sink in, a study finds. (Jan. 7, 2014)

Search suggests no one from future lives amongst us
If time travel is ever to be invented, shouldn’t somebody from the future be among us now? (Jan. 6, 2014)

Microbe sex gets crazy, too
Researchers have watched mating in the microbes that cause African sleeping sickness. (Jan. 3, 2013)

Vitamin E may lessen Alzheimer’s symptoms
A regimen was tied to moderately slower decline and a 2-hour daily drop in caregiver time. (Jan. 5, 2014)

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