Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Nov 06, 2013 07:28 AM EST

Infertile Clay May Have been the Birthplace of Life on Earth

Clay may just seem like an infertile blend of minerals, but this substance may have been the birthplace of life on Earth. Scientists have discovered that complex biochemical may have originated in clay, which could have led to the origins of life.

Nov 05, 2013 01:16 PM EST

Pigeons Smell Their Way Home: Odors and Winds Reveal Location

Homing pigeons are some of the most successful navigators in the animal kingdom. Exactly how they accomplish this feat, though, is still debated. Now, scientists have discovered that odors and winds may help these birds find their way home.

Nov 05, 2013 12:12 PM EST

White Dwarfs Reveal New Clues About Nature of Dark Photons

White dwarfs have revealed new clues when it comes to the nature of dark photons, a type of dark matter and energy. Researchers have been able to rule out a multitude of possible parameters for these photons, thanks to the shining of these dying stars.

Nov 05, 2013 11:21 AM EST

Global Land Use Map Reveals New Insights into Environmental Degradation

Humans use land in different ways. Some land is used for buildings while other land is used for farming. Still other locations are preserved as National parks. Now, though, scientists have created a global map the reveals the impacts of land use. This, in turn, could inform future decisions as to wh...

Nov 05, 2013 10:32 AM EST

Oldest Ice Core Dates Back 1.5 Million Years, Revealing Earth's Climate

How old is the oldest ice core? Good question. These cores can provide valuable information about Earth's climate and greenhouse gases. Now, scientists have found the location of what they believe is the oldest ice core--one that dates as far back as 1.5 million years.

Nov 05, 2013 09:44 AM EST

New Cutting Edge Tool Gives Astronomers Clearer Glimpse into the Universe

As astronomers peer further and further into the universe, they rely on better and more precise instruments that allow them to make unprecedented observations. Now, researchers may have developed another tool that could allow scientists to get a better glimpse of galaxies. They've created a supercon...

Nov 05, 2013 09:02 AM EST

Knife-Wielding Robot Learns How to Handle Groceries with New Technique

Give a robot a knife, and it won't know what to do with the tool. Yet researchers from Cornell University are teaching one robot exactly how to work with a blade. They've worked with a Baxter robot from Rethink Robotics in Boston and have engineered it to "coactively learn" from humans and make adju...

Nov 05, 2013 08:19 AM EST

Animal Locomotion Mystery Solved: Movement Isn't Wasteful

Animals move in different ways--and some of them aren't always logical. For example, why do lizards employ side-to-side sashaying rather than merely pointing toward their goal? This type of movement seems wasteful and would likely be avoided in robot design. Now, scientists found a reason for this p...

Nov 05, 2013 07:49 AM EST

Black Holes in Globular Star Clusters May Reveal Ripples in Spacetime

For 40 years, astrophysicists have believed that there was no way there could be black holes in the globular star clusters in our own galaxy. Now, though, a team has identified these black holes, upsetting previous research and revealing that their existence is not only possible, but definite.

Nov 04, 2013 01:51 PM EST

Baby Oysters Use Sound to Choose a Home: The Importance of Reef Noise

Oysters are an integral part of oceanic ecosystems. They filter nutrients and create reefs out of hundreds of their shells. Now, scientists have learned a little bit more about these creatures. It turns out that baby free-floating oysters may be attracted by the sounds of the reef as they search for...

Nov 04, 2013 12:33 PM EST

Civilizations Rise and Fall with Soil Quality: Dangers for Modern Agriculture

Civilizations rise and fall depending on the quality of their soil. With good farmland, cities and towns can flourish. Without it, though, they can easily fall. Now, scientists have revealed that the modern world could suffer a similar fate to past civilizations if soil quality degrades enough.

Nov 04, 2013 11:13 AM EST

Putting a Child First Makes Parents Happier: Life Improved by Selflessness

Scientists have discovered that parents who prioritize their children's well-being over their own are not only happier, but also derive more meaning in life from their child-rearing responsibilities.