Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Dec 18, 2014 10:00 AM EST

Asteroid that Destroyed the Dinosaurs Nearly Caused Mammals to Become Extinct

The asteroid that caused the dinosaurs to become extinct may have also almost wiped out mammals. Scientists have found that 66 million years ago, many mammals died alongside the dinosaurs.

Dec 18, 2014 09:22 AM EST

You May Live Longer: New Study Shows Life Expectancy has Increased Globally

You may be able to expect a few extra years of life. Researchers have found that people are living much longer worldwide than they were two decades ago, as death rates from infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases have fallen.

Dec 18, 2014 08:38 AM EST

NASA Satellites Reveal the Arctic is Absorbing More Solar Radiation as Ice Disappears

It turns out that there's been a steady increase in the absorption of solar radiation by the Arctic. Now, NASA satellite instruments are revealing a bit more about this absorption.

Dec 18, 2014 07:57 AM EST

Mistletoe Isn't Just for Kissing: Christmas Plant May Ward Off Obesity-Related Liver Disease

When you sneak a kiss under the mistletoe during holiday season, do you ever wonder where the tradition comes from? And do you ever consider exactly what the plant can be used for? It turns out that mistletoe is far more than meets the eye.

Dec 18, 2014 07:14 AM EST

NOAA Report Reveals Arctic Temperatures are Rising Twice as Fast as the Rest of Earth

It turns out that the Arctic is getting a bit warmer. A new NOAA-led study reveals that temperatures are rising at more than twice the rate of global air temperatures.

Dec 17, 2014 12:58 PM EST

How Fireflies Light Up the Night: New Technique Reveals Details of the Lantern

Have you ever wondered how fireflies shine? These insects light up summer nights, flashing in patterns to communicate to one another within the darkness. Now, scientists have taken a closer look at this bioluminescence.

Dec 17, 2014 12:18 PM EST

ESO Captures Spectacular Image of Open Cluster Messier 47

The ESO Cosmic Gems program is coming out with some spectacular images. And it's not all that surprising that Messier 47 is the target of one of these images. This open cluster sports bright, hot blue stars that shine against the backdrop of space.

Dec 17, 2014 11:54 AM EST

NASA Spots Christmas and Holiday Lights All the Way from Space

Each year, holiday lights go up throughout the United States and the nights become just a bit brighter for it. But you don't just see these lights here on Earth; you can also see them from space.

Dec 17, 2014 11:20 AM EST

Humpback Whales 'Tick' and 'Tock' to Hunt for Dinner in the Deep Ocean

When it comes to grabbing a quick meal, humpback whales have the ultimate technique. These massive whales navigate the dark waters at the bottom of the sea by "singing" for their supper.

Dec 17, 2014 10:45 AM EST

Ancient DNA Reveals Why Gorilla-sized Lemurs Became Extinct on Madagascar

Ancient DNA may explain why giant lemurs became extinct. Scientists have taken a closer look at the bones and teeth of giant lemurs that lived thousands of years ago and have found a bit more about these now-extinct animals.

Dec 17, 2014 10:17 AM EST

MESSENGER Reveals Mercury is Periodically Slammed with Meteor Showers

It turns out that the closest planet to our sun is periodically hit by a meteor shower, and this shower may be associated with a comet that produces multiple events annually on Earth.

Dec 17, 2014 09:20 AM EST

NASA Mars Rover Curiosity Discovers the First Organic Molecules on the Red Planet

NASA's Curiosity rover has made a startling discovery. It's found the first organic molecules on the Red Planet. The findings could mean that there was once life on the planet--or could simply be the result of chemical reactions.