Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

May 06, 2014 11:03 AM EDT

Scientists Discover Climate Change 'Hotspots' in sub-Saharan Africa

Climate change is impacting areas across the globe. Yet there are "hotspots" of climate change that are being impacted more drastically than others. More specifically, there are places in Africa where risks overlap, creating severe situations.

May 06, 2014 10:09 AM EDT

Astronomers Make Most Precise Measurement Yet of Distant, Spinning Star

Astronomers have used the galaxy's biggest telescope to make the most precise measurement yet of a distant, spinning star. The new measurement is about one million times more precise than the previous calculations.

May 06, 2014 09:25 AM EDT

Scientists Discover Phosphate-Rich Foods May Cause High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease

There may be some new foods you want to avoid if you're concerned about your heart health. Scientists have found that phosphate rich foods that include processed cheese, Parmesan, cola, baking powder and other processed foods may cause high blood pressure and heart disease.

May 06, 2014 08:48 AM EDT

How Plants' Light-Sensitive 'Eyes' Tell Whether It's Night or Day

Why do plants turn toward the sun and how do they do it? It has everything to do with light-sensitive proteins within plant cells. Now, scientists have taken a closer look at these proteins and have discovered exactly how they change when they discover light.

May 06, 2014 07:58 AM EDT

Tiny Microbes Could Survive Space and Contaminate Mars: Dangers of Life for the Red Planet

Scientists are concerned that micro-organisms from Earth could potentially contaminate and invade Mars, surviving even under the harsh environmental conditions.

May 06, 2014 07:27 AM EDT

Species Evolution Throws a Wrench into Predator-Prey Population Cycles with Weird Reversal

It turns out that evolution may have some interesting effects on predator-prey population cycles. Co-evolutionary changes in species may create the appearance that the pretty are actually eating the predators.

May 05, 2014 02:11 PM EDT

Climate Change May Cause 70 Percent Increase in Unhealthy Ozone Levels by 2050

It turns out that the United States may be having a lot more trouble with ozone pollution in the future. Researchers have found that Americans face the risk of a 70 percent increase in unhealthy summertime ozone levels by 2050 as temperatures continue to rise.

May 05, 2014 01:37 PM EDT

Babies Should Sleep on Their Backs: Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Since 1994, parents have been urged to place their babies to sleep on their backs in order to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Yet it turns out that not all caregivers have been warned.

May 05, 2014 01:19 PM EDT

Scientists Discover How Stress Increases the Risk for Heart Attack and Stroke

Most people know that stress can increase your risk for heart attack. But what mechanisms are at play that actually cause this increased risk?

May 05, 2014 12:40 PM EDT

Melting East Antarctic Ice Could Cause Unstoppable Sea Level Rise for Thousands of Years

Scientists have found that melting on East Antarctica's shore could trigger a persistent ice discharge into the ocean, resulting in unstoppable sea-level rise for thousands of years to come.

May 05, 2014 11:44 AM EDT

Environmental Factors More Important Than Realized in Autism Development

It's not just genes that influence whether or not a child develops autism, it's also environment. Now, scientists have taken a closer look and have found that environmental factors are far more important than previously thought.

May 05, 2014 10:40 AM EDT

Bumblebee Smarts: Insects Visit Safe Flowers and Avoid Danger

Scientists have found that bumblebees can tell the difference between safe and dangerous environments, and are attracted to land on flowers that are popular with other bees when exposed to perilous situations.