Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Aug 23, 2014 11:47 PM EDT

Animal Speech Isn't As Random as Once Thought: The Intricacies of Language

It turns out that animals may have more complicated "speech" patterns than once thought. Scientists have found that the calls of many animals, from whales to wolves, may contain more language-like structure than previously thought.

Aug 23, 2014 11:47 PM EDT

Fish Can Sniff Out Bad Coral Neighborhoods: The Smell Test for Reefs

It turns out that a bad neighborhood smells pretty bad--especially when it comes to damaged reefs. Scientists have found that Pacific corals and fish avoid settling in bad regions by sniffing out chemical cues.

Aug 23, 2014 11:46 PM EDT

Mutated Polio Virus Breached Vaccine Protection During Congo Outbreak

Scientists are reporting that a mutated virus that was able to resist vaccination protection was behind a polio outbreak in the Congo in 2010.

Aug 22, 2014 10:36 AM EDT

Children and Adolescents with Autism Have Extra Synapses in Their Brains

Scientists have taken a closer look at children and adolescents with autism and have found that they actually have a surplus of synapses in their brains.

Aug 22, 2014 10:05 AM EDT

New Laser Device Measures Blood Glucose Levels Without Pin Pricks for Diabetics

Diabetics may have a new way to check their condition-without drawing blood. Scientists have created a new method that uses a laser to measure people's blood sugar.

Aug 22, 2014 09:34 AM EDT

Sunlight May be Key to Carbon Dioxide Release from Arctic Permafrost

Scientists have discovered that it's not bacteria triggering the process of Arctic permafrost's carbon being converted to carbon dioxide--but sunlight.

Aug 22, 2014 09:02 AM EDT

Electric Sparks from Storms May Alter Evolution of Moon's Cold Lunar Soil

The moon may not be as peaceful as once thought. NASA scientists have found that over the eons, periodic storms of solar energetic particles may have significantly changed the properties of the soil in the lunar craters through the process of sparking.

Aug 22, 2014 09:02 AM EDT

Viruses Infect Massive Algal Blooms: Implications for Carbon Capture and Climate

Scientists have found out that viruses infecting algae may be driving the life-and-death dynamics of algae blooms, which could have major implications for our climate.

Aug 22, 2014 08:44 AM EDT

Reading 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Linked to Unhealthy Behaviors in Young Women

Reading "Fifty Shades of Grey" may not be good for your health. Researchers have found that young adult women who read the book are more likely than nonreaders to exhibit signs of eating disorders and have a verbally abusive partner.

Aug 22, 2014 07:45 AM EDT

Hot Spring Cyanobacteria Grow in Near Darkness by Using Far-Red Light

It turns out that some cyanobacteria can grow in near darkness, using a previously unknown process for harvesting energy and producing oxygen from sunlight. The new findings could help explain dense blooms that impact Lake Erie and other lakes worldwide.

Aug 22, 2014 07:20 AM EDT

Severe Drought is Causing the Western United States to Rise Like an 'Uncoiled Spring'

Scientists have taken a closer look at the drought in the U.S. and have found that growing, broad-scale loss of water is causing the entire western U.S. to rise up like an uncoiled spring.

Aug 22, 2014 07:19 AM EDT