Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Sep 24, 2013 12:31 PM EDT

Caffeine Slows Down Development in Teenage Brains: Coffee Impacts Maturation

There's some bad news for any teenage coffee drinkers out there. It turns out that caffeine can slow down brain development in pubescent brains. The findings reveal the importance of understanding exactly how caffeine can impact young brains.

Sep 24, 2013 10:57 AM EDT

Global Warming Increases Severe Thunderstorms: Tornades, Hail and Damaging Winds

Global warming is causing sea levels to rise and ice to melt, but it may also be impacting our weather. It turns out that the changing climate could be causing severe thunderstorms to increase, which could mean billions of dollars-worth of damages in the future.

Sep 24, 2013 10:13 AM EDT

Moon 100 Million Years Younger Than Thought: Lunar Rock Reveals Truth

How old is our moon? That's a good question. After analyzing a piece of lunar rock brought back to Earth by the Apollo 16 mission in 1972, researchers have discovered that our moon is a lot younger than we first thought--by about 100 million years.

Sep 24, 2013 09:19 AM EDT

Scientists Create Massive Catalog of More Than 300,000 Nearby Galaxies

Scientists are getting a little help when it comes to exploring the universe. More than 83,000 volunteer citizen scientists have helped to catalog more than 300,000 nearby galaxies. Named Galaxy Zoo 2, the project is the second phase of a crowdsourcing effort to help categorize the galaxies in our u...

Sep 24, 2013 08:46 AM EDT

A Universal Flu Vaccine: Scientists Take One Step Closer with 2009 Pandemic

It's that time of year again: flu season. Now, though, scientists are getting closer than ever to developing a universal vaccine. Using the 2009 pandemic as a natural experiment to study why some people seem to resist severe illness, researchers have taken the next step when it comes to creating suc...

Sep 24, 2013 08:08 AM EDT

New Math Model Predicts Evolution of Large Complex Human Societies

Exactly how human societies evolve from small groups to the huge, anonymous complex societies of today has long remained a mystery. Now, scientists have tackled the question mathematically, accurately matching the historical record on the emergence of complex states in the ancient world.

Sep 24, 2013 07:34 AM EDT

Climate Change Impacts the Weather: Earth's Wind and Rain Belts Shift North

Could we change the weather? As the climate changes and as wind patterns shift, we may accomplish just that. As the planet warms, Earth's wind and rain belts are shifting northward. This could make a broad swathe of regions much wetter while leaving others high and dry.

Sep 24, 2013 06:59 AM EDT

Fossil Record Reveals Crustaceans Decline with Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are continuing to decline across the globe as the climate shifts and changes. Now, scientists have found that it's not just corals in trouble. By looking at the fossil record, researchers have discovered that many ancient crustaceans went extinct following a massive collapse of reefs acr...

Sep 23, 2013 01:34 PM EDT

Shark Overfishing Harms Coral Reefs: Food Chain Impacts

Sharks may get a bad reputation in movies, but they contribute quite a bit to the environment. Unfortunately, though, these seafaring carnivores are declining as the practice of shark finning continues. Now, scientists have found that a decline in shark populations is detrimental to coral reefs.

Sep 23, 2013 12:05 PM EDT

Invasive Fish Species in Danube River Creates Entirely New Ecosystem

Invasive species are conquering native ones as aquatic environments begin to shift. Now, scientists have discovered a fish species in the Danube River that's making a huge splash; not only is this invasive species conquering new habitat, but it's also creating a totally new ecosystem in the process.

Sep 23, 2013 11:03 AM EDT

Antibacterial-Resistant Bacteria Discovered in Streams and Rivers

Scientists have discovered that some bacteria in streams may be even more difficult to get rid of. It turns out that triclosan, a synthetic antibacterial used in personal care products, is fueling the development of resistant bacteria in streams and rivers.

Sep 23, 2013 10:08 AM EDT

Binge-Eating Disorder Linked to Lifelong Impairments: The Dangers of Excess

Are you a binge-eater? You may suffer lifelong impairments. In a 12-country study, researchers have discovered that binge-eating disorder has impairments that are comparable to those associated with bulimia nervosa.