Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Sep 17, 2013 08:10 AM EDT

Blue Whale's Life History and Chemical Exposure Recorded in its Waxy Ears

You don't have to ask a whale to reveal its life history--just look at its earwax. Scientists have discovered that by analyzing the waxy buildup inside the ear of a deceased blue whale, they can figure out exactly how much exposure the animal has had to chemical pollutants over the course of its lif...

Sep 17, 2013 07:35 AM EDT

Space Weather Storms May Spark Satellite and Communications Failures on Earth

The effects of space weather are still largely unknown, but it turns out that it could impact satellites and communications across the globe. Scientists have revealed that space weather may be to blame for some satellite failures

Sep 17, 2013 07:06 AM EDT

Fingers Can Sense Nano-Wrinkles on Seemingly Smooth Surface

How sensitive are our fingers? Apparently they can detect even nano-wrinkles on a seemingly smooth surface. The findings have important implications for the development of technologies for the visually impaired.

Sep 16, 2013 02:15 PM EDT

Time Perception in Animals Based on Pace of Life: How Fast Eyes Move

Time perception varies in animals. For example, flies observe motion on timescales that are far finer than our own eyes can perceive. Now, scientists have discovered that an animal's ability to perceive time is linked to its pace of life.

Sep 16, 2013 01:14 PM EDT

How Dying Stars Transform into Planetary Nebulae: Powerful Magnetic Jets

Astronomers have made a surprising discovery. For the first time ever they've found a jet of high-energy particles emanating from a dying star. This could reveal how some of the most beautiful objects in the universe are formed--planetary nebulae.

Sep 16, 2013 11:46 AM EDT

Spider Silk Wires Could Power Tomorrow's Electronic Applications

Spider silk may seem fragile, but it could be a material that could have major implications for electrical conductivity and more. Scientists have wrapped spider silk in carbon nanotubes, which resulted in environmentally friendly wires.

Sep 16, 2013 11:06 AM EDT

Achilles' Heel of Antarctic Ice Shelves is Underwater

What's the most vulnerable part of an ice shelf? It turns out that it's underwater. Scientists have discovered that more ice leaves Antarctica by melting from the underside of submerged ice shelves. In fact, it accounts for as much as 90 percent of ice loss in some areas.

Sep 16, 2013 10:16 AM EDT

Tropical Trees 'Fix' Themselves After Being Logged or Cleared: Capturing Nitrogen

Tropical forests may be making a comeback, and it could be their own doing. Scientists have discovered that trees "turn up" their ability to capture nitrogen from the air and release it into the soil as the forest makes a comeback after being logged or cleared for agriculture.

Sep 16, 2013 09:38 AM EDT

NASA Cassini Spots New Evidence of Icy Volcanoes on Saturn's Moon, Titan

Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has long remained a source of study for scientists. Over the past four years, NASA's Cassini spacecraft has watched this moon. Now, researchers have seen changes in surface brightness on the moon and have discovered that cryovolanism may be active on Titan.

Sep 16, 2013 08:41 AM EDT

Origins of Life on Earth: How Molecular Fossils are the Key

Before life began on Earth, there were molecules. These molecules, while important building blocks, didn't possess the structure that characterizes life as we know today. Now, scientists have a new theory as to how life was jumpstarted on Earth.

Sep 16, 2013 07:57 AM EDT

Icy Comet Collisions Could Spawn Building Blocks of Life on Planets

Could life have originated from space? It seems very likely. Scientists have discovered that comet collisions could be producing the building blocks of life, amino acids, in a type of "cosmic factory."

Sep 14, 2013 08:51 AM EDT

Scientists Create Self-Healing 'Terminator' Polymer (Video)

Scientists have made a materials breakthrough. They've created the first self-healing thermoset elastomer that requires no intervention to induce its repair. The findings could be huge when it comes to the creation of self-healing materials.