Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Dec 30, 2013 11:31 AM EST

Delisting the Grey Wolf Could Endanger Other Species

It could be a bad idea to discontinue protection for gray wolves across the United States. Scientists have discovered that their delisting could have the unintended consequence of endangering other species. The findings could make the federal government take another look at their decision.

Dec 30, 2013 10:44 AM EST

Invasive Plant Parasite in Europe Revealed to be Widespread

Elm trees in Europe face a host of issues, and one of them is a parasite known as Meloidoggyne ulmi. Now, scientists have found that a synonymous parasite, known as Meloidoggyne mali has been in the Netherlands for more than fifty years and have discovered exactly how it was introduced.

Dec 30, 2013 10:06 AM EST

Alcohol Leaves a Mark on DNA in Young, Healthy People

Alcohol can leave its mark in many ways. Now, scientists have found that it can also impact DNA. Scientists have discovered that a weekend of alcohol consumption can affect the lipids comprising cell membrane and its genetic material.

Dec 30, 2013 09:19 AM EST

Obesity Can be a Socially Transmitted Disease: Social Norms Influence Food Choices

Can obesity be a socially transmitted disease? In some cases, it might be. Scientists have found that social norms influence food choices. This, in turn, can influence whether or not a person tends toward obesity or not.

Dec 30, 2013 08:39 AM EST

High School Sports Mean Fewer Doctor Visits After 70

Want to avoid a visit to the doctor after you turn 70? Then you'd better play high school sports. Scientists have found that 70-year-olds who were active on a team over 50 years ago were less likely to visit the doctor and were more likely to be active into their late 70s.

Dec 30, 2013 08:03 AM EST

Eat Quickly or Slowly? One Method to Reduce Hunger

Should you eat quickly or slowly? As obesity rates rise in the United States, more and more people are trying to find out ways to keep off the pounds. Now, scientists have found that eating quickly may impair our relationship between our sensory signals and processes that regulate exactly how much w...

Dec 30, 2013 07:27 AM EST

Scientists Accurately Predict Size and Location of 2012 Costa Rica Earthquake

Could there be a way to predict earthquakes? In the case of the 2012 Costa Rica earthquake there was. Scientists using GPS to study changes in Earth's shape accurately forecasted the size and location of the magnitude 7.6 Nicoya earthquake.

Dec 28, 2013 08:03 AM EST

Scientists Grow Liquid Crystal Flowers That Act as Lenses

Scientists have made another advance when it comes to using liquid crystals as a medium to assembling structures. They've managed to grow liquid crystal "flowers" that can be used as lenses.

Dec 28, 2013 07:43 AM EST

Why it Snows in the Frozen North: Scientists Reveal How Arctic Snowflakes Form

Why does it snow so much in the frozen north? That's a good question, and now scientists may have an answer as to why drifts pile up in places like the Arctic.

Dec 28, 2013 07:22 AM EST

Astronomers Discover New Comet Belt in Curious Exoplanet System

Astronomers have made a startling new find when it comes to a nearby exoplanet system. They've found that the least massive star in the Fomalhaut system, Fomalhaut C, hosts its own comet belt. The findings reveal a bit more about this three-star system and could pave the way for future discoveries.

Dec 27, 2013 09:11 AM EST

What Compassion Sounds Like: Scientists Record Patient Interactions

What does compassion sound like? That's a good question, and researchers may now have the answer. They've systematically pinpointed and catalogued compassionate words and actions in doctor-patient conversations.

Dec 27, 2013 09:10 AM EST

Genetic Discovery Reveals New Way to Produce More Tomatoes

Tomatoes that are used in sauces and juice are harvested from plants that stop growing earlier than classic tomato varieties. More like bushes, these plants actually produce fewer fruits than their home garden cousins. Now, researchers have found a way to coax these plants to produce more fruit whil...