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Top Science News

November 18, 2017

Neanderthals Survived 3,000 Years Longer in Spain

Changing Greenhouse Gases Into Something Useful

Paraplegic Rats Walk Again, Regain Feeling

Spanking Worsens Kids' Behavior

Nov. 16, 2017 — Neanderthals survived at least 3,000 years longer than we thought in Southern Iberia -- what is now Spain -- long after they had died out everywhere else, according to new ... read more

Nov. 17, 2017 — Engineers have developed a new and cost-effective catalyst to recycle two of the main causes behind climate change -- carbon dioxide (CO2) and ... read more

Nov. 16, 2017 — Paralyzed rats implanted with engineered tissue containing human stem cells were able to walk independently and regained sensory perception in their hind legs and tail. The implanted rats also show ... read more

Nov. 16, 2017 — Children who have been spanked by their parents by age 5 show an increase in behavior problems at age 6 and age 8 relative to children who have never been spanked, according to new findings. The ... read more

Latest Top Headlines

updated 7:03pm EST

Secrets of Ebola Unlocked in the Heart of Devastating Outbreak

Nov. 16, 2017 — In a comprehensive and complex molecular study of blood samples from Ebola patients in Sierra Leone, a scientific team has identified signatures of Ebola virus disease that may aid in future ... read more

What Grosses out a Chimpanzee? The Origins of Disgust

Nov. 17, 2017 — Chimps show increased latencies to feed, and tendencies to maintain greater distances from possible contaminants and/or outright refusals to consume food in test conditions, hinting at the origins of disgust ... read more

Dog Ownership Linked to Lower Mortality Rate

Nov. 17, 2017 — A team of scientists have used national registries of more than 3.4 million Swedes aged 40 to 80 to study the association between dog ownership and cardiovascular health. Their study shows that dog owners had a lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease or to other causes during the ... read more

Heavy Drinking, Smoking Linked to Visible Signs of Aging

Nov. 15, 2017 — Heavy drinking and smoking are linked to visible signs of physical aging, and looking older than one's years, ... read more

New Motion Sensors a Major Step Toward Low-Cost, High-Performance Wearable Technology

Nov. 16, 2017 — Researchers have developed a class of breakthrough motion sensors that could herald a near future of ubiquitous, fully integrated and affordable ... read more

Solar Flare Pulses at Sun and Earth Detected

Nov. 16, 2017 — Two recent studies show how solar flares exhibit pulses or oscillations in the amount of energy being sent out. Such research provides new insights on the origins of these massive solar flares and the space weather they produce. This is key information as humans and robotic missions venture out ... read more

A New Way to Store Thermal Energy

Nov. 16, 2017 — A new phase-change material provides a way to store heat in a stable chemical form, then release it later on demand using light as ... read more

Hydrogen Fuel from Water by Harnessing Red and Near-Infrared Regions of Sunlight

Nov. 17, 2017 — Scientists have synthesized a compound that absorbs near-infrared light to produce hydrogen from water. The compound contains three ruthenium atoms connected by an organic molecule. The absorbed light stimulates electrons to 'jump' into orbitals ... read more

Groundwater Recharge in the American West Under Climate Change

Nov. 16, 2017 — Groundwater recharge in the Western US will change as the climate warms -- the dry southern regions will have less and the northern regions will have more, according to new research. The new study covers the entire US West, from the High Plains states to the Pacific coast, and provides the first ... read more

Gene Drive Technologies for Ecosystem Conservation: Use With Care!

Nov. 16, 2017 — Scientists working in the vanguard of new genetic technologies have issued a cautionary call to ensure that possible applications in conservation will only affect local populations. Experts have now examined the possible consequences of the accidental spread of existing self-propagating gene ... read more

Climate Change Impacts Already Locked In, but the Worst Can Still Be Avoided

Nov. 16, 2017 — Some impacts of global warming -- such as sea level rise and coastal flooding -- are already locked in and unavoidable, according to a major ... read more

Bryozoans: Fossil Fills Missing Evolutionary Link

Nov. 16, 2017 — Scientists recently announced the discovery of a missing evolutionary link -- a fossil of the first known member of the modern bryozoans to grow up into ... read more

Promising New Med for ALS?

Smart Microfibre Sensor for Healthcare Diagnosis

Good at Multiplayer Video Games? What It Means

Does This One Gene Fuel Obesity?

Nov. 16, 2017 — A drug used to treat schizophrenia has the potential to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no effective cure. ... read more

Nov. 16, 2017 — A soft, flexible and stretchable microfibre sensor has been developed for real-time healthcare monitoring and diagnosis. The novel sensor is highly ... read more

Nov. 15, 2017 — A link between young people's ability to perform well at two popular video games and high levels of intelligence has been ... read more

Nov. 15, 2017 — Variants in a gene called ankyrin-B -- carried by millions of Americans -- could cause people to put on pounds through no fault of their own, new research ... read more

Latest Health Headlines

updated 7:03pm EST

Brain Activity Buffers Against Worsening Anxiety

Nov. 17, 2017 — Boosting activity in brain areas related to thinking and problem-solving may also protect against worsening anxiety, suggests a new study. Using noninvasive brain imaging, the researchers found that at-risk people were less likely to develop anxiety if they had higher activity in a region of the ... read more

Deletion of a Stem Cell Factor Promotes Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery in Mice

Nov. 17, 2017 — Researchers found that conditional deletion of Sox2 – the gene encoding the SOX2 stem cell transcription factor – and the associated dampening of astrocyte reactivity appear to promote functional recovery, including behavioral recovery, after traumatic brain ... read more

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Essential to Reduce Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

Nov. 17, 2017 — New findings emphasize the importance of measuring and maintaining aerobic ... read more

Hibernating Ground Squirrels Provide Clues to New Stroke Treatments

Nov. 17, 2017 — In the fight against brain damage caused by stroke, researchers have turned to an unlikely source of inspiration: hibernating ground squirrels. While the animals' brains experience dramatically reduced blood flow during hibernation, just like human patients after a certain type of stroke, the ... read more

A Mom's Support Helps a Child Learn to Handle Negative Emotions, but What If Mom Is Distressed?

Nov. 17, 2017 — When children become upset, showing negative emotions or behaviors, some parents become distressed, while others are able to talk their child through the difficult situation. Studies have shown that a mothers' reaction -- positive or negative -- to her child's negative emotions can predict whether her child develops the ability to effectively ... read more

A Walk at the Mall or the Park? New Study Shows, for Moms and Daughters, a Walk in the Park Is Best

Nov. 17, 2017 — A family studies researchers believed that if the attention restoration theory, which describes how interaction with natural environments can reduce mental fatigue and restore attention, worked for individuals it might also work for families to help facilitate more positive family interactions and family cohesion. They tested their theory by ... read more

School Exacerbates Feelings of Being 'Different' in Pupils With Autism Spectrum Conditions

Nov. 16, 2017 — Negative school experiences can have harmful long term effects on pupils with Autism Spectrum Conditions, a new study ... read more

Risk of Distracted Driving Predicted by Age, Gender, Personality and Driving Frequency

Nov. 17, 2017 — The first study of how personal traits affect driver distraction finds that young men, extroverted or neurotic people, and people who drive more often are more likely to report being distracted during driving, while older women and those who feel they could control their distracted behavior are less likely to report distraction. The study also ... read more

Like a Baby: The Vicious Cycle of Childhood Obesity and Snoring

Nov. 17, 2017 — Scientists looked at the relationships among maternal snoring, childhood snoring and children's metabolic characteristics -- including body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance, which reflects future risk for developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease -- in approximately 1,100 children followed from gestation through early ... read more

When Vegetables Are Closer in Price to Chips, People Eat Healthier

Nov. 16, 2017 — A new study determined that the difference in price of healthy foods compared to unhealthy foods plays a significant role in whether people have a healthy ... read more

Employees Want to Sit Down Less and Walk More During Work Days

Nov. 17, 2017 — Desk-based workers would like to spend less time sitting down and more time walking or doing physical activity as part of their working day, research ... read more

To Reduce Risk of Crashing, Pick Roads With Wide Shoulders and High Speed Limits

Nov. 17, 2017 — A solid median, wide shoulders, minimal hills -- and a high speed limit? Researchers explore freeway features that minimize ... read more

On the Origins of Star Stuff

Exoplanet 55 Cancri E Likely to Have Atmosphere

How Droplets Can 'Levitate' On Liquid Surfaces

On-Demand Water Desalination

Nov. 16, 2017 — Astronomers have used a high-altitude observatory in Mexico to better understand where gamma rays come from. More than 300 massive water tanks sit waiting at the site for cascades of particles ... read more

Nov. 16, 2017 — Twice as big as Earth, the super-Earth 55 Cancri e was thought to have lava flows on its surface. Now, a new analysis finds this planet likely has an atmosphere whose ingredients could be similar to ... read more

Nov. 15, 2017 — How to levitate your coffee creamer: A study explains how droplets can 'float' on liquid ... read more

Nov. 15, 2017 — Modern solar cells, which use energy from light to generate electrons and holes that are then transported out of semiconducting materials, have existed for over 60 years. Little attention has been ... read more

Latest Physical/Tech Headlines

updated 7:03pm EST

Strain-Free Epitaxy of Germanium Film on Mica

Nov. 17, 2017 — Germanium was the material of choice in the early history of electronic devices, and due to its high charge carrier mobility, it's making a comeback. It's generally grown on expensive single-crystal substrates, adding another challenge to making it sustainably viable for most applications. To ... read more

Breakthrough Could Launch Organic Electronics Beyond Cell Phone Screens

Nov. 17, 2017 — A new discovery points the way to more widespread use of an advanced technology generally known as ... read more

Math Gets Real in Strong, Lightweight Structures

Nov. 16, 2017 — Materials scientists lead a project to turn strong, light and compressible schwarzites from theory to reality with three-dimensional printers. The resulting materials share their properties from the nano- to ... read more

New Theory Rewrites Opening Moments of Chernobyl Disaster

Nov. 17, 2017 — A brand-new theory of the opening moments during the Chernobyl disaster, the most severe nuclear accident in history, based on additional ... read more

Heavy Nitrogen Molecules Reveal Planetary-Scale Tug-of-War

Nov. 17, 2017 — Researchers have discovered a planetary-scale tug-of-war between life, deep Earth and the upper atmosphere that is expressed in ... read more

Salt Pond in Antarctica, Among the Saltiest Waters on Earth, Is Fed from Beneath

Nov. 15, 2017 — One of the saltiest bodies on Earth, an analog for what water might look like on Mars, is just one piece of a ... read more

Taking a Spin on Plasma Space Tornadoes With NASA Observations

Nov. 17, 2017 — Tornado-like swirls of space plasma create tumultuous boundaries in the near-Earth environment, letting dangerous high-energy particles slip into near Earth space, new NASA mission results ... read more

Space Missions Locate Whistling Space Electrons' Origins

Nov. 15, 2017 — Plasma waves in space are likely responsible for accelerating high-energy particles into Earth's atmosphere, new ... read more

Mathematician's Study of 'Swarmalators' Could Direct Future Science

Nov. 17, 2017 — How does the Japanese tree frog figure into the latest work of a noted mathematician? As it turns out, quite prominently. Researchers used the curious mating ritual of male Japanese tree frogs as inspiration for their exploration of 'swarmalators' -- their term for systems in which both synchronization and swarming occur ... read more

Intervention Becomes First to Successfully Reduce Risk of Dementia

Nov. 16, 2017 — A computerized brain training program reduces risk of dementia 29 percent, a 10-year study ... read more

Computer Program Finds New Uses for Old Drugs

Nov. 16, 2017 — Researchers have developed a computer program to find new indications for old drugs. The computer program, called DrugPredict, matches existing data about FDA-approved drugs to diseases, and predicts potential drug efficacy. In a recent study, the researchers successfully translated DrugPredict results into the laboratory, and showed common pain medications -- like aspirin -- can kill ... read more

Virtual Reality Training May Be as Effective as Regular Therapy After Stroke

Nov. 15, 2017 — Using virtual reality therapy to improve arm and hand movement after a stroke is equally as effective as regular therapy, according to a ... read more

more top physical/tech stories

Environment News

November 18, 2017

Passenger Pigeon Genome: Low Genetic Diversity

Shape of Lake Ontario Makes White-Out Blizzards

Bacterium in Beetle Makes It a Leaf-Eater

Storms in a Changing Climate

Nov. 16, 2017 — The passenger pigeon is famous for the enormity of its historical population and for its rapid extinction in the face of mass slaughter by humans. ... read more

Nov. 15, 2017 — A 6-foot-wide snow blower mounted on a tractor makes a lot of sense when you live on the Tug Hill Plateau. Tug Hill, in upstate New York, is one of the snowiest places in the Eastern US and ... read more

Nov. 16, 2017 — A leaf-eating beetle has evolved a symbiotic relationship that allows the insect to break down pectin. The findings on the novel function of the bacterium, which has a surprisingly tiny genome -- ... read more

Nov. 15, 2017 — The dry, semi-arid regions are expanding into higher latitudes, and temperate, rainy regions are migrating poleward. In a new paper, researchers provide new insight into this phenomenon by ... read more

Latest Environment Headlines

updated 7:03pm EST

eDNA Tool Detects Invasive Clams Before They Become a Nuisance

Nov. 17, 2017 — When seeking a cure for a disease, early detection is often the key. The same is true for eliminating invasive species. Identifying their presence in a lake before they are abundant is vital. A recent study successfully used environmental DNA to detect invasive clams in California and Nevada lakes. ... read more

Genomic Study Explores Evolution of Gentle 'Killer Bees' in Puerto Rico

Nov. 16, 2017 — A study of Puerto Rico's Africanized honey bees -- which are more docile than other so-called 'killer bees' -- shows they retain most of the genetic traits of their African honey bee ancestors, but that a few regions of their DNA have become more like those of European honey bees. These changes likely contributed to the bees' rapid evolution toward gentleness in Puerto Rico, a change that ... read more

Down and Dirty: Cleaning Okinawan Pig Farm Wastewater With Microbial Fuel Cells

Nov. 16, 2017 — Scientists have enhanced the productivity of green technology used to treat wastewater from pig farms, explains a ... read more

Secrets of Succulents' Water-Wise Ways Revealed

Nov. 16, 2017 — Plant scientists have revealed new insights into the mechanisms that allow certain plants to conserve water and tolerate drought. The research could be used to help produce new crops that can thrive in previously inhospitable, hot and dry regions across ... read more

Groundwater Depletion Could Be Significant Source of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

Nov. 16, 2017 — Humans may be adding large amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by using groundwater faster than it is replenished, according to new research. This process, known as groundwater depletion, releases a significant amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that has until now been overlooked by scientists in calculating carbon sources, ... read more

European Forests Might Not Be Realizing Their Full Potential

Nov. 17, 2017 — European forest managers can have their cake and eat it, because according to a new study maximizing timber production in a forest does not necessarily have to come at a cost of reduced species diversity or the capacity to regulate climate change by the same forest. However most European forests fall well below their possible maximum levels of these three ... read more

A Sub-Desert Savanna Spread Across Madrid 14 Million Years Ago

Nov. 17, 2017 — The current landscape of Madrid city and its vicinity was really different 14 million years ago. A semi-desert savanna has been inferred for the center of the Iberian Peninsula in the middle Miocene. This ecosystem was characterized by a very arid tropical climatic regime with up to ten months of drought per year, according to a recent paper. Scientists reached such conclusions after comparing ... read more

Making It Easier to Recycle Plastics

Nov. 17, 2017 — Researchers report new approaches could dramatically increase the amount of plastic waste that can be successfully ... read more

A Popular Tool to Trace Earth's Oxygen History Can Give False Positives

Nov. 17, 2017 — If someone cries 'Eureka!' because it looks like oxygen appeared in Earth's ancient atmosphere long before the body of evidence indicated, be careful. If it was a chromium isotope system reading that caused the enthusiasm, it might need to ... read more

New Treasures from Tutankhamun's Tomb

Nov. 16, 2017 — Archaeologists have examined embossed gold applications from the sensational find of 1922. The motifs indicate surprising links between the Levant and the Egypt of ... read more

Archaeology: Medieval Treasure Unearthed at the Abbey of Cluny

Nov. 14, 2017 — In mid-September, a large treasure was unearthed during a dig at the Abbey of Cluny, in the French department of Saône-et-Loire: 2,200 silver deniers and oboles, 21 Islamic gold dinars, a signet ring, and other objects made of gold. Never before has such a large cache of silver deniers been ... read more

Structure and Origins of Glacial Polish on Yosemite's Rocks

Nov. 15, 2017 — The glaciers that carved Yosemite Valley left highly polished surfaces on many of the region's rock formations. These smooth, shiny surfaces, known as glacial polish, are common in the Sierra Nevada and other glaciated landscapes. Geologists have now taken a close look at the structure and ... read more

Rise of Agriculture to Blame for Inequality?

More Adults Use Pot in States Where It Is Legal

Exercise Increases Brain Size

15,000 Scientists Warn About Earth's Future

Nov. 15, 2017 — Researchers have found that the arc of prehistory bends towards economic inequality. In the largest study of its kind, the researchers saw disparities in wealth mount with the rise of agriculture, ... read more

Nov. 13, 2017 — Daily use of marijuana as well as past month rates rose for both men and women aged 26 and older in states with medical marijuana laws in effect. Marijuana use among those younger than 26 years old ... read more

Nov. 13, 2017 — Aerobic exercise can improve memory function and maintain brain health as we age, a new study has ... read more

Nov. 13, 2017 — Human well-being will be severely jeopardized by negative trends in some types of environmental harm, such as a changing climate, deforestation, loss ... read more

Latest Society/Education Headlines

updated 7:03pm EST

Flu Vaccine Prevents Hospitalization in Children, Study Shows

Nov. 17, 2017 — Children vaccinated against influenza are significantly less likely to experience serious complications from the virus that could land them in hospital, new research has ... read more

U.S. Health Care System Unprepared to Move Future Alzheimer's Treatment Into Rapid Clinical Use

Nov. 15, 2017 — Advanced clinical trials are underway for at least 10 investigational therapies that have shown promise in slowing or blocking development of Alzheimer's disease, creating hope that a preventive strategy may be in reach. But a new study warns that the U.S. health care system lacks the capacity to rapidly move such a treatment into wide clinical ... read more

Health, Social Care Spending Cuts Linked to 120,000 Excess Deaths in England

Nov. 15, 2017 — The squeeze on public finances since 2010 is linked to nearly 120,000 excess deaths in England, with the over-60s and care home residents bearing the brunt, reveals a first study of its ... read more

Could We Predict La Niña Drought Years in Advance?

Nov. 16, 2017 — Scientists' ability to predict the strength and duration of droughts caused by La Niña -- a recurrent cooling pattern in the tropical Pacific Ocean -- has been significantly improved thanks to new research. Their findings, which predict that the current La Niña is likely to stretch into a second year, could help scientists know years in advance how a particular La Niña event is expected to ... read more

Cures and Scientific Breakthroughs Happen Through Collaboration, New Study Confirms

Nov. 15, 2017 — A new data mining approach reveals the secrets behind the development of five anti-cancer drugs. Basic research can lead to cures, drugs and other scientific breakthroughs through collaboration, confirms a new ... read more

Intentional Teaching Makes the Biggest Impact on Early Childhood Outcomes

Nov. 15, 2017 — High quality preschool is one of the most effective means of preparing all children to succeed in school. This review of research indicates the need to expand our definitions ... read more

Consuming Nuts Strengthens Brainwave Function

Nov. 15, 2017 — A new study has found that eating nuts on a regular basis strengthens brainwave frequencies associated with cognition, healing, learning, memory and other key ... read more

New Insights Into Why Sleep Is Good for Our Memory

Nov. 14, 2017 — Researchers have shed new light on sleep's vital role in helping us make the most of our ... read more

If Sitting Is the New Smoking, Should Employers Be Held Liable?

Nov. 14, 2017 — Researchers have linked sitting for long periods of time to a number of health issues, including increased high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat and cholesterol. They also warn that prolonged sitting increases the risk of cardiovascular problems and cancer. What does this mean for organizations whose employees end up sitting for at least eight hours a day? Should they be held ... read more

Oct	NOV	Dec
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2016	2017	2018

Neanderthals Survived 3,000 Years Longer in Spain

Changing Greenhouse Gases Into Something Useful

Paraplegic Rats Walk Again, Regain Feeling

Spanking Worsens Kids' Behavior

Promising New Med for ALS?

Smart Microfibre Sensor for Healthcare Diagnosis

Good at Multiplayer Video Games? What It Means

Does This One Gene Fuel Obesity?

On the Origins of Star Stuff

Exoplanet 55 Cancri E Likely to Have Atmosphere

How Droplets Can 'Levitate' On Liquid Surfaces

On-Demand Water Desalination

Passenger Pigeon Genome: Low Genetic Diversity

Shape of Lake Ontario Makes White-Out Blizzards

Bacterium in Beetle Makes It a Leaf-Eater

Storms in a Changing Climate

Rise of Agriculture to Blame for Inequality?

More Adults Use Pot in States Where It Is Legal

Exercise Increases Brain Size

15,000 Scientists Warn About Earth's Future

Minds and Machines Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyWhat is the relationship between the mind and the body? Can computers think? Do we perceive reality as it is? Can there be a science of consciousness? ... learn more

The Science of Happiness BerkeleyThe first MOOC to teach positive psychology. Learn science-based principles and practices for a happy, meaningful life. ... learn more

Cell Biology: Mitochondria Harvard UniversityA human-centered approach to the fundamentals of cell biology with a focus on the power plants of the cell - mitochondria. ... learn more

Greatest Unsolved Mysteries of the Universe Australian National UniversityExploring the biggest mysteries of modern astrophysics. ... learn more

Minds and Machines
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
What is the relationship between the mind and the body? Can computers think? Do we perceive reality as it is? Can there be a science of consciousness? ... learn more

The Science of Happiness
Berkeley
The first MOOC to teach positive psychology. Learn science-based principles and practices for a happy, meaningful life. ... learn more

Cell Biology: Mitochondria
Harvard University
A human-centered approach to the fundamentals of cell biology with a focus on the power plants of the cell - mitochondria. ... learn more

Greatest Unsolved Mysteries of the Universe
Australian National University
Exploring the biggest mysteries of modern astrophysics. ... learn more