Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Oct 16, 2013 08:13 AM EDT

Scientists Reveal How Our Sun Heats its Corona to Extreme Temperatures

A decades-long mystery has plagued the sun's corona. Scientists have long wondered how our nearest star manages to heat its corona to such extreme temperatures. Now, they may finally have their answer

Oct 16, 2013 07:39 AM EDT

Climate Change Won't Spare Global Ocean

Climate change is impacting our Earth in new and unforeseen ways. Yet how is it affecting our oceans? It turns out that no corner of the world ocean will be untouched by climate change by 2100.

Oct 16, 2013 07:02 AM EDT

Women, Not Men, Painted Ancient Handprints on Cave Walls

Hands are part of what make us human. It's perhaps not surprising that our ancient ancestors left handprints as part of artwork on cave walls. Yet now, scientists have uncovered a bit more about prints on certain walls; it turns out that most of the handprints are from women rather than men.

Oct 15, 2013 01:27 PM EDT

Lightning Strikes Cause Rocks to Explode: Mountains in Africa Not So Stable

Mountains may seem stable and unchangeable. But now, scientists have discovered that lightning strikes may cause rocks to explode and may play a huge role in shaping these mountain landscapes; in fact, it turns out that mountains may be a lot less stable than we thought.

Oct 15, 2013 12:09 PM EDT

Illinois River Otters Loaded with PCBs and Pesticides: Persistence of Banned Chemicals

Chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PBCs) and certain pesticides may have been banned in the 1970s and 1980s, but they're still causing problems. Scientists have discovered that these chemicals are impacting river otters in Central Illinois, revealing the persistence of these pollutants in ...

Oct 15, 2013 10:54 AM EDT

New Physics Revealed by Bending the World's Thinnest Glass

The world's thinnest glass may have more to offer scientists than just being part of the Guinness Book of World Records. It turns out that by bending this glass, the researchers have been able to directly image the deformation associated with breaking glass and the resulting "dance" of rearranging a...

Oct 15, 2013 10:17 AM EDT

New Discoveries About Traumatic Brain Injuries: Fruit Flies May be Key

Head injuries are associated with some severe complications later in a person's life. Former professional football players, for example, have suffered brain damage and have even committed suicide. Now, scientists have uncovered a little bit more about head injuries, examining fruit flies in order to...

Oct 15, 2013 09:33 AM EDT

Climate Change Impacts Ocean Upwelling Ecosystems

The world's oceans are full of deep sea currents that circulate around the globe. Now, scientists have discovered a little bit more about upwelling ecosystems, which could reveal how our world's oceans will be impacted in the future by climate change.

Oct 15, 2013 08:38 AM EDT

Birth Prepares the Newborn Brain to Sense the World

Scientists have discovered that the actual act of birth in mice causes a reduction in a brain chemical called serotonin. This triggers sensory maps to form, which prepares the mice to sense the world and prepares mice for survival outside the womb.

Oct 15, 2013 08:07 AM EDT

Scientists Discover Missing Link Between Viruses and Cells: Pandoravirus

Giant viruses are some of the most complex viruses on Earth. Containing over a thousand genes and with a size that's far larger than typical viruses, they may just be the missing link between viruses and cells. Now, scientists have discovered two new giant viruses, which could lead to more informati...

Oct 15, 2013 07:34 AM EDT

Monkey Feels Touch with New Prosthetic Limb: Breakthrough for Amputees

Scientists have made a breakthrough when it comes to prosthetic limbs. They've laid the groundwork for touch-sensitive limbs that could one day convey real-time sensory information to amputees via a direct interface with the brain.

Oct 14, 2013 01:15 PM EDT

Ammonia and Fertilizers Impact US National Parks in a Big Way

Scientists have discovered that thirty-eight U.S. national parks are experiencing "accidental fertilization" at or above a critical threshold for ecological damage. Unless significant controls on ammonia emissions are introduced, in fact, it's likely that there will be little improvement between now...