Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Nov 22, 2013 10:24 AM EST

Rise in Pre-Industrial Methane Gas Caused by Humans and the Environment

For years scientists have argued whether increases of potent methane gas concentrations in the atmosphere were triggered by natural causes or human activities during a time period that started about 5,000 years ago and stretched to the start of the industrial revolution. Now, they have their answers...

Nov 22, 2013 09:46 AM EST

Climate Change Impacts Butterfly Flight Season

Climate change is impacting species across the globe. Yet it may be impacting some creatures more than others. The flight season timing of a wide variety of butterflies is responsive to temperature, which means that warmer temperatures could greatly influence them in the future.

Nov 22, 2013 09:12 AM EST

Scientists Discover Volcano Lying Hidden Beneath West Antarctic Ice Sheet

There's some volcanic activity occurring in one of the most hostile and coldest environments on Earth. Scientists have observed "swarms" of seismic activity between January 2010 and March 2011, revealing that there's current volcanic activity under the massive West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Nov 22, 2013 09:11 AM EST

New Era of Neutrino Astronomy Begins at the South Pole

The era of neutrino astronomy has officially begun. Astrophysicists have managed to detect and record the mysterious phenomena known as cosmic neutrinos, which are nearly massless particles that stream to Earth at the speed of light from outside our solar system, striking the surface in a burst of e...

Nov 22, 2013 08:33 AM EST

Infant Galaxies Merge Near 'Cosmic Dawn' of the Universe

Astronomers have made a startling find. They've discovered a far-flung trio of primitive galaxies within an enormous cloud of primordial gas nearly 13 billion light-years from Earth. The rare discovery reveals a little bit more about the process of galaxy formation in the early Universe.

Nov 22, 2013 08:31 AM EST

Scientists Uncover Gene Variant Associated with Freckles, Blue Eyes and Brown Hair

Do you have blue eyes? What about brown hair, freckles and sensitivity to the sun? Scientists may have uncovered a genomic variant strongly associated with these traits. The findings could reveal a bit more about human pigmentation and allow scientist to better understand how certain genes are expre...

Nov 22, 2013 07:50 AM EST

Monster Gamma-Ray Burst Blasts Nearby Universe as Star Explodes

Scientists may have just witnessed one of the largest gamma-ray bursts ever detected in our cosmic neighborhood. They've detected a violent burst of gamma radiation in the relatively nearby universe, which tells them a bit more about these monsters gamma-ray bursts in general.

Nov 21, 2013 01:56 PM EST

Accurate Method to Date Tropical Glaciers May Impact Global Warming Studies

Dating glaciers and their moraines is crucial for understanding climate change. Now, scientists have discovered a more accurate method to determine the ages of the boulders deposited by tropical glaciers. The findings could influence previous research of how climate change has impacted ice masses ar...

Nov 21, 2013 12:09 PM EST

Comet ISON Update: How to See the Spectacular Light Show

Comet ISON has gained a lot of attention in recent days. As Thanksgiving approaches, so too does the moment where the comet will be closest to the Sun. While ISON has so far remained in one piece, though, it's plunge toward our nearest star may just cause it to break apart.

Nov 21, 2013 10:42 AM EST

Secret Behind Invasive House Sparrow Success: Sharpening Immune Cells

House sparrows are some of the most successful invasive species in the world. Originally heralding from Europe, they've spread throughout the United States. Now, scientists have discovered that something in a sparrow's biology may help with this proliferation. It turns out that adjustments in the sp...

Nov 21, 2013 09:58 AM EST

MIT Scientists Create Most Waterproof Surface Ever

Scientists may have just made one of the most waterproof materials in existence. Although there's a theoretical limit on the time it takes for a water droplet to bounce away from a hydrophobic surface, researchers have discovered a way to burst through that perceived barrier. The findings could lead...

Nov 21, 2013 09:14 AM EST

Ancient 4.4 Billion-Year-Old Meteorite Reveals History of Mars

A meteorite may just help scientists uncover the secrets of Mars' birth. Researchers have analyzed a 4.4 billion-year-old Martian meteorite that was unearthed by Bedouin tribesmen in the Sahara desert and have discovered a wealth of information about the origin and age of the Red Planet's crust.